What does "queer" really mean?

The original definition of the word queer (still used today) is strange or odd, and this word was often used to describe people who are odd sexually from the late 19th century to late 20th century. The word was utilized as the catch all term for people who think they belong outside of the two genders recently (during the 80s).

Most of the classifications are slight variations on what already is covered by sexuality preferences. For example, people who identify as pansexual are essentially bisexual for all practical purposes. This classification just states that they are willing to have sex with anyone who identifies as queer/transsexual along with people who are heterosexual/homosexual/bisexual. Polysexuality is similar to this, as it covers attraction to some particular queer identifications instead of all of them.

I agree that many people who use these terms only utilize them to feel special. This was exhibited in a different form during the 90s/2000s when many teenagers/young adults identified with a mental disorder (commonly chronic depression or bipolar disorder), but in actuality the person did not have the mental disorder most of the time and the symptoms were the result of puberty (depression/mania is a symptom of development in some people since the mind actively develops into the adult state during puberty). While this happens today, people who feel out of place are more often identifying with sexuality preferences instead of mental disorders.

It's a word that been reclaimed by many younger (under 40) LGBT folks who are gender and/or sexually variant.

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gay person

Queer was just "odd" years ago...... you're speak about something "queering the deal" - when a money deal you were doing fell apart.

It got hooked to homosexuals because haters needed an epithet to throw at them - Queer! But I know my gay friends are fine with it by now.

I think it's from the German - "Quer" - meaning sort of angry.