The following is an extended definition of the term, taken from http://www.arr-the-kraken.com/straight/gay-or-queer.php
Queer is a controversial word, literally meaning unusual, but used for people whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity differ from the norm: a unifying umbrella term for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, and/or intersex. In this usage, it is usually a synonym of such terms as LGBT or lesbigay. More people identify as gay or lesbian than as queer. Queer is a much more political term and is often used by those who are politically active; by those who strongly reject traditional gender identities; by those who reject sexual identities such as gay, lesbian, bisexual and straight; by those who see themselves as oppressed by the heteronormativity of the larger culture; and/or by heterosexuals whose sexual preferences make them a minority (for example, BDSM practitioners). Another term used in similar ways is PoMosexual. Many people, however, identify primarily as Queer rather than gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered or intersex. Some feel that other labels do not adequately describe their sexual identity and preferences. Some queer people identify as such because they feel it empowers them to be themselves on a level that goes beyond the rigid limitations of the traditional polarized interpretation of sexual orientation (either homosexual or heterosexual, or bisexual in the middle) and gender identity (male or female). For these people, being queer means discarding such labels and their expectations and embracing the idea that their sexual identity or practices is simply different from others' in one or more ways. Historically, the term queer was an epithet for gay men, bordering on profanity. Since the term originated, and in many circumstances persists, as a homophobic slur, and because another common meaning of the word is "strange," many members of sexual minorities do not favor its use.
--- I identify as queer because I dont' believe the labels for 'lesbian' or 'bisexual' adequately describe who I am. I came to understand myself as queer via "coming out" as a lesbian, and in the process being rejected by the "lesbian community" because I was too feminine and could "pass" for heterosexual because I wore skirts, had long hair, was considered attractive by both men and women (but I did not wear make-up!). I recall in the early days of being a lesbian, I would volunteer to speak for panels or conferences about being a lesbian (at the time I was in relationships exclusively with women, one of which was 13 years long), and would be accused by other lesbians on the panel/conference of not being "butch" or "lesbian" or "political" enough. I found the politically correct attitude of most lesbians at the time (1990's) to be incredibly restrictive and prejudiced against anyone who did not fit the 'norm'. Ironically, these politically correct lesbians were enacting the same kind of discrimination and prejudice against me and my 'lipstick lesbian friends' as mainstream society was enacting against them/lesbians and gays in general! So in the face of being rejected by the mainstream 'lesbian and gay community' (which by the way, does NOT exist! There is no unified gay-les-bi-queer-trans 'community'), I decided to come out, AGAIN, as queer. Of course, no one knows how to respond to this information. Usually I just say I am 'bi', but if the person is intelligent and I feel like getting a bit more personal, I explain that I am 'queer', and give them a bit more information about what that means.
Yep, we're pretty much everywhere...
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