The radical power of 'queer' always came from its inclusivity. But that inclusivity offers a false promise of equality that does not translate to the lived reality of most queer people.

Jenna Wortham’s quote reflects a critical view of the term "queer" and its evolution within the LGBTQ+ movement. She acknowledges that queer has historically carried a radical power due to its inclusivity, encompassing a wide spectrum of identities and experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. This inclusivity allowed queer to serve as a broad, fluid label for anyone outside the norms of heterosexuality and traditional gender categories, making it a powerful tool for solidarity and resistance.

However, Wortham also critiques the notion that this inclusivity automatically leads to equality for all queer people. She suggests that while the concept of queer may promise universal acceptance and liberation, this promise does not always reflect the lived reality of most queer individuals, particularly those who face additional layers of oppression due to race, class, or gender identity. In other words, the broad, inclusive nature of queer can sometimes mask the deep inequalities and struggles faced by marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community, undermining the notion that everyone in the community benefits equally from progress.

Wortham’s quote speaks to the complexities of identity politics and the intersectionality that exists within the queer community. While the term “queer” was initially adopted to challenge heteronormativity and to create space for diverse identities, it can also obscure the ways in which some individuals or groups are more likely to be marginalized within that very same community. Her statement calls attention to the fact that the queer movement—like any social movement—must confront the ways in which inequality still exists within it, even as it fights for broader societal acceptance.

The origin of the quote comes from Wortham’s role as a journalist and cultural critic, where she often explores issues of race, identity, and social justice. Her work challenges assumptions about LGBTQ+ liberation, particularly in terms of how it intersects with other axes of identity like race, class, and gender. By drawing attention to the gap between the promise and the reality of queer inclusivity, Wortham encourages a more nuanced understanding of equality and a call for deeper, more genuine inclusivity in social justice movements.