Of concern with the term “folks,” for example, is that its translation in some languages is gendered, such as “ la gente” in Spanish, which is gendered feminine (see also, phallogocentrism, Derrdiean, and deconstruction). Queer Theory is rarely content with such applications in and of themselves because they are insufficiently disruptive of normativities or may, in fact, end up somehow supporting or maintaining them. “Folks” is therefore offered as a comfortable gender-neutral alternative. Part of the purpose for the development of the term “folks” within the queer Theory context is to avoid using gendered language to address a crowd, say with phrases like “hey guys” (putatively gender-neutral use of “guys”) or “ ladies and gentlemen” (which upholds the sex and/or gender binaries and is therefore exclusive of transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming identities – see also, inclusion). It is clearly a derivation of the word “ folks,” which has its own specialized usage and interesting etymology within Critical Social Justice circles (readers are strongly encouraged to see also, folks). It thus appears from activists within Critical Social Justice but usually only within queer contexts, including queer Theoretical scholarship (see also, trans-rights activism). New Discourses Commentaryįolx is a made-up word that has its origins in queer Theory. But in certain contexts it can be useful to use the alternative spelling “folx” to symbolize inclusion of POC and trans people.

… IS IT WRONG TO USE THE WORD “FOLKS” NOW? Of course not! There is nothing inherently exclusive about the word “folks”. … The reason we need “folx” in addition to the gender-neutral “folks” is to indicate inclusion of other marginalized groups including people of color (POCs) and trans people. This explanation has drawn criticism, as skeptics correctly point out that “folks” is already gender neutral. … Some articles suggest that “folx” is more inclusive because it is gender neutral. The spelling has been adopted by some communities because it can be used to indicate inclusion of marginalized groups. “Folx” is an alternative spelling to the familiar word “folks”.

Folx careers