Queercore

    I mentioned queercore in an earlier post, but only in passing and in association with Beth Ditto and The Gossip. Queercore was originally started in the 1980’s and has a strong connection with punk/DIY culture. It’s connection to the Riot Grrrl movement was undeniable though; many of the people who were involved with the Riot Grrrl movement (as a band member, as a contributor to a zine, or just as a person who identified with the Riot Grrrl scene), were also part of the queercore movement.

The theory behind the homocore scene was unity. Unlike the gay community, in which gay men and lesbian women, are strongly separated from one another, the queercore scene aimed to unite both men and women and destroy the boundaries created by sex and sexuality. Homocore nights/queercore festivals, featuring live bands, were often held to promote this idea and movement.

Musically, the queercore movement was strongly similar to that of the Riot Grrrl. Both queercore and Riot Grrrl bands often had songs which spoke about sexual/gender issues (such as identity and the prejudice which some were subjected to). Riot Grrrl and queercore bands also span many genres; bands influenced by these movements can be found in punk, hardcore, indie, noise, and experimental genres (to name a few).