Queer terms or rather having terms to express queerness in Tamil is important to communicate ones experience to others, in a language they are comfortable with. Tamil as a language updates itself with time. And the Tamil terms used are not always direct translations from English.
The expressions and experiences are already in use by the Tamil speaking community, all we have to do is map them with similar expressions,” shares Gireesh, editor of Paalputhumai.com, a bilingual webzine-resource portal, an offshoot of Queer Chennai Chronicles (QCC).
Moulee C, publisher and cofounder of QCC, emphasises that terms with supremacist ideas should not be brought in while mapping such expressions in the language. "Queer persons come from diverse socio-economic background.
Queer terms or expressions that we use should not alienate or further stigmatise someone or a community. It is important that we are mindful of the fact that supremacist terms are avoided or re-looked at," he offers. To educate and create awareness about commonly used LGBTQIA+ terms in Tamil, provide a starting point for understanding and learning further, the resource portal has curated a list of Queer terms in Tamil.
SOGIES C
SOGIESC – Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics.
Sexual Orientation: Paal eerppu
Gender Identity: Paalinam, Paalina adaiyalam
Gender Expression: Paalina velippadu
Sex Characteristics: Paal panbu
Pansexual(ity)
Pansexual(ity): Anaithupaal- eerppu
Pansexual person: Anaithu-paal-eerppuudaiyavar, Anaithu-paaleerppu- udaiya-nabar
Pansexual woman:Anaithu-paal-eerppuudaiya-pen
Pansexual man: Anaithupaal- eerppu-udaiya-aan
Homosexual(ity)
Homosexual(ity): Orupaal- eerppu, Than-paaleerppu
Homosexual person: Orupaal-eerppu-udaiyavar, Oru-paal-eerppu-udaiyanabar
Lesbian: Lesbian, Orupaal-eerppu-udaiya-pen
Gay: Gay, Oru-paaleerppu- udaiya-aan
Bisexual(ity)
Bisexual(ity): Iru-paaleerppu
Bisexual person: Iru-paaleerppu-udaiyavar, Irupaal-eerppu-udaiya-nabar
Bisexual woman: Iru-paaleerppu-udaiya-pen
Bisexual man: Iru-paaleerppu-udaiya-aan
Aroace
Asexual person: Paaleerppu-attravar, A-paaleerppu-udaiyavar, A-paaleerppu-udaiya-nabar,Paal-eerppu-atra-nabar
Agender: Paalili
Agender person: Paalilaar
Queer; LGBTQIA+
Queer (person): Paalpudhu, paalpudhumai, Paalpudhumaiyinar, queer, queer nabar
LGBTQIA+ Pride, Queer Pride (Parade): Paalpudhu suyamariyadhai (Perani)
Intersex
Intersex, Intersex variations: Intersex, panmuga paalpanbu
Intersex person, Person with intersex variations: Panmuga-paalpanbuudaiyavar
Nonbinary
Nonbinary: (Paalina) eermaraikku apparpattavar
Gender nonconforming (GNC) person: Paalina adaiyalangal-udan othupogadhavar
Identity
Self ID, Self Identification: Suya adaiyalam
Coming out: Velipaduthikkolludhal
Deadname: Vazhangapatta peyar
Preferred name: Viruppa peyar
Gender dysphoria: Paalina adaiyala muranpaadu
Ally
Cis, Cisgender: Cis, Aadhikka paalinam
Heterosexual(ity), Straight: Edhir-paaleerppu
Heteronormativity: Edhirpaal- eerppu vazhamai, Adhiga-paal-eerppu vazhamai
Ally: Adharavaalar, Thozhamai
Queer What…?
Queer Coding: Queer kuriyeedu, Paalpudhu kuriyeedu
Queer Baiting: Paalpudhu vettai, Queer vettai
LGBTQIA+ Literature, Queer Literature: Queer ilakkiyam, Paalpudhu ilakkiyam
Queer Theory: Paalpudhu Kotpaadu
Phobia
Homophobia: Oru-paaleerppu veruppu
Transphobia: Thirunar veruppu
Biphobia: Iru-paal-eerppu veruppu
Intersexphobia: Panmugapaalpanbu veruppu
Queerphobia: Paalpudhu veruppu
This was first published in Tamil on Paalputhumai. com. For details, visit Instagram and
Facebook page @ qcchronicles
(Note: When referring to individuals, identities and terms should be retained as per their self-dentification.)