In San Francisco, one may encounter the word "Queer" used in reference to various people of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. Most often, it is a term of self-identification, although those within the LGBTQ (Q for 'queer') communities may feel more comfortable using it to apply to others. Bear in mind that, like many other reclaimed identity-based words and labels, 'queer' is not necessarily an acceptable term to use in reference to other people, unless you are yourself in the 'in-group' of queer-identified people, and/or are comfortable justifying your use of the word.

Historically, when used to refer to human beings, queer was a derogatory epithet to describe men and women who deviated from gender norms. Over time, it began to pick up new connotations, as many gender non-conforming men and women were simply thought of as synonymous with homosexuality. Currently, the word 'queer' functions as an umbrella term to encompass a wide range of people whose gender and sexual identities/expression deviate from social norms and expectations. These include many people who are LGBTQ, but it may also include heterosexual non-transgender men and women who embrace a wide variety of gender expression and non-mainstream relationship formation in their own lives (such as BDSM/leather/fetish/polyamorous folk). 'Queer' has been 'reclaimed' from its history as a derogatory epithet by many LGBTQ folk as a way to showcase solidarity with each other, challenging sexism within LGBTQ communities, and forming communities that do not predicate their existence on conformity and uncritically living up to larger society's expectations of how we may express our gender, sex and sexuality.

As example of people who may be considered queer (within this historical epoch): -> A self-identified heterosexual/straight man who openly admits to having enjoyed sexual experiences with other men -> A self-identified gay genetic/non-trans man who has partners who may be transgender/transsexual -> A person who does not believe in labels for human gender/sexual expression -> Public sex (since 'normal' sex is seen as something that should be kept private)