6.1 LGBTQ+ identities and terminology

LGBTQ+ identities encompass a diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities. Understanding these identities is crucial for promoting equality and challenging discrimination. This topic explores key concepts like sexual orientation, gender identity, and the spectrum of LGBTQ+ experiences.

The LGBTQ+ community has a rich history of activism and social change. From the Stonewall riots to the fight for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ individuals have fought for recognition and rights. Contemporary issues include workplace discrimination, health disparities, and representation in media.

LGBTQ+ identities overview

• LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and others, representing a diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities
• Understanding LGBTQ+ identities is crucial for promoting social change and equality, as these communities have historically faced discrimination, marginalization, and oppression based on their identities
• Recognizing the diversity within the LGBTQ+ community and the unique challenges faced by each subgroup is essential for creating inclusive environments and advocating for their rights

Sexual orientation vs gender identity

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• Sexual orientation refers to a person's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to others, while gender identity is a person's internal sense of being male, female, neither, or another gender
• Sexual orientation and gender identity are distinct concepts, and a person's sexual orientation does not determine their gender identity, and vice versa
• Examples of sexual orientations include lesbian (women attracted to women), gay (men attracted to men), bisexual (attraction to multiple genders), and asexual (little or no sexual attraction)

Lesbian, gay and bisexual orientations

• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) orientations involve emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to people of the same gender or multiple genders
• Lesbian refers to women who are primarily attracted to other women, while gay typically refers to men who are primarily attracted to other men, although the term can also be used more broadly
• Bisexual individuals experience attraction to people of their own gender and other genders, challenging the notion that attraction is binary or limited to only men or women

Transgender identity and gender dysphoria

• Transgender is an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, and they may or may not pursue medical interventions to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity
• Gender dysphoria is the distress experienced by some transgender individuals due to the discrepancy between their gender identity and their assigned sex, which can be alleviated through social, medical, and/or legal transitions
• Examples of transgender identities include trans women (assigned male at birth but identify as women), trans men (assigned female at birth but identify as men), and non-binary individuals (identify outside the male/female binary)

Queer and questioning identities

• Queer is a term that has been reclaimed by some LGBTQ+ individuals as an inclusive, non-specific way to describe sexual orientations and gender identities that fall outside of societal norms
• Questioning refers to individuals who are exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, recognizing that these aspects of identity can be fluid and may change over time
• The term queer has historically been used as a slur but has been reclaimed by some as a positive, umbrella term for the LGBTQ+ community, while others may still find it offensive

Intersex conditions

• Intersex is an umbrella term for individuals born with sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, genitals, or hormones) that do not fit typical binary definitions of male or female bodies
• Intersex conditions are natural variations in human development and are not inherently pathological or in need of correction, although some intersex individuals may choose to undergo medical interventions
• Examples of intersex conditions include androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS), congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and Klinefelter syndrome

Asexuality and aromanticism

• Asexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by little or no sexual attraction to others, while aromanticism is characterized by little or no romantic attraction to others
• Asexual and aromantic individuals may still form strong emotional bonds and relationships with others, and their experiences are distinct from celibacy, which is a choice to abstain from sexual activity
• The asexual and aromantic communities are often represented by the "A" in extended LGBTQIA+ acronyms, and they challenge societal assumptions about the universality and necessity of sexual and romantic desire

Pansexuality and polysexuality

• Pansexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by attraction to people regardless of their gender identity, with the emphasis being on attraction to individuals rather than specific genders
• Polysexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by attraction to multiple, but not necessarily all, genders
• Both pansexuality and polysexuality challenge binary notions of gender and attraction, and they are sometimes considered subsets of bisexuality or distinct orientations in their own right

Non-binary gender identities

• Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside the male/female binary, including genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, and bigender, among others
• Non-binary individuals may use gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them or neopronouns like xe/xem or ze/zir to affirm their gender identity
• Non-binary identities challenge the idea that gender is a fixed, binary construct and highlight the diversity of gender expressions and experiences

Gender expression vs gender identity

• Gender expression refers to how a person presents their gender through appearance, behavior, and other external characteristics, while gender identity is a person's internal sense of their own gender
• A person's gender expression may or may not align with societal expectations for their gender identity, and it can be fluid and change over time
• Examples of gender expression include masculine, feminine, androgynous, or gender-neutral presentation, while examples of gender identity include man, woman, non-binary, or agender

LGBTQ+ terminology

LGBTQIA+ acronym and variations

• LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic, and others, representing a diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities
• Variations of the acronym may include additional letters or symbols to represent other identities, such as LGBTQIAP+ (with "P" for pansexual) or LGBTQIA2S+ (with "2S" for two-spirit, an identity specific to some Indigenous North American communities)
• The "+" symbol acknowledges that there are many other sexual orientations and gender identities not explicitly included in the acronym

Cisgender and cissexism

• Cisgender refers to individuals whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth (i.e., not transgender)
• Cissexism is the belief that cisgender identities are superior to or more valid than transgender identities, leading to discrimination and marginalization of transgender individuals
• Examples of cissexism include assuming that all people are cisgender, denying transgender people access to spaces or resources that align with their gender identity, or invalidating transgender identities as "not real" or "just a phase"

Heteronormativity and heterosexism

• Heteronormativity is the assumption that heterosexuality is the default, normal, or preferred sexual orientation, leading to the marginalization and invisibility of LGBTQ+ identities
• Heterosexism is the belief that heterosexuality is superior to or more valid than other sexual orientations, leading to discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals
• Examples of heteronormativity include assuming that all couples consist of a man and a woman, or that all children have heterosexual parents, while examples of heterosexism include denying same-sex couples the right to marry or adopt children

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia

• Homophobia is the fear, hatred, or prejudice against gay and lesbian individuals, while biphobia is the fear, hatred, or prejudice against bisexual individuals
• Transphobia is the fear, hatred, or prejudice against transgender and non-binary individuals
• Examples of homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia include using slurs, perpetrating violence, or denying access to healthcare, employment, or housing based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity

Closeted vs out

• Being "closeted" or "in the closet" refers to an LGBTQ+ person who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others, often due to fear of discrimination, rejection, or violence
• Being "out" refers to an LGBTQ+ person who has disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others and is open about it in their personal and/or professional life
• The process of "coming out" involves disclosing one's LGBTQ+ identity to others, which can be a continuous and lifelong process as individuals navigate different social contexts and relationships

Deadnaming and misgendering

• Deadnaming refers to using a transgender person's birth name or pre-transition name instead of their chosen name, which can be a form of disrespect and invalidation of their gender identity
• Misgendering refers to using incorrect pronouns or gendered language to refer to a person, particularly a transgender or non-binary individual, which can also be a form of disrespect and invalidation
• Examples of deadnaming and misgendering include referring to a trans woman by her male birth name, or using "he/him" pronouns for a non-binary person who uses "they/them" pronouns

Gender affirmation and transition

• Gender affirmation refers to the process of recognizing, accepting, and expressing one's gender identity, which may involve social, medical, and/or legal steps to align one's life with their gender identity
• Transition refers to the process that some transgender individuals undergo to align their physical characteristics and/or legal documents with their gender identity, which may include hormone therapy, surgery, name and gender marker changes, and social transitions
• Examples of gender affirmation include using a person's correct name and pronouns, allowing them to express their gender through clothing and appearance, and providing access to gender-affirming healthcare

Preferred pronouns and neo-pronouns

• Preferred pronouns, or personal pronouns, are the pronouns that a person chooses to use for themselves, which may include she/her, he/him, they/them, or other gender-neutral or neo-pronouns
• Neo-pronouns are pronouns other than she, he, or they that a person may use to express their gender identity, such as xe/xem, ze/zir, or fae/faer
• Using a person's correct pronouns is a way to show respect for their gender identity, while misgendering someone by using incorrect pronouns can be a form of disrespect and invalidation

Ally vs accomplice

• An ally is a person who supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, but who is not necessarily a member of the community themselves
• An accomplice is a person who actively works to dismantle oppressive systems and structures that harm LGBTQ+ individuals, often by leveraging their own privilege and resources to support the community
• Examples of allyship include attending Pride events, speaking out against LGBTQ+ discrimination, and educating oneself about LGBTQ+ issues, while examples of being an accomplice include using one's platform to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, donating to LGBTQ+ organizations, and actively challenging homophobia and transphobia in one's own communities

LGBTQ+ history and activism

Early LGBTQ+ movements and Stonewall riots

• Early LGBTQ+ movements in the United States, such as the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis, focused on challenging societal stigma and discrimination against homosexuality in the 1950s and 1960s
• The Stonewall riots, a series of spontaneous demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community against a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in June 1969, are often considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement
• The Stonewall riots inspired the formation of numerous LGBTQ+ activist organizations and the first Pride marches in major U.S. cities on the one-year anniversary of the riots

AIDS crisis and ACT UP

• The AIDS crisis in the 1980s and early 1990s disproportionately affected the LGBTQ+ community, particularly gay and bisexual men, and was exacerbated by government neglect and societal stigma
• ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) was a grassroots political action group founded in 1987 to advocate for increased funding for AIDS research, treatment, and education, and to fight discrimination against people with AIDS
• ACT UP's confrontational tactics, such as die-ins, protests, and political funerals, brought attention to the AIDS crisis and pressured government officials and pharmaceutical companies to take action

Marriage equality and DOMA

• Marriage equality refers to the legal recognition of same-sex marriages, which has been a major goal of the LGBTQ+ rights movement in recent decades
• The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), passed by the U.S. Congress in 1996, defined marriage as a union between one man and one woman and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states
• In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that state bans on same-sex marriage were unconstitutional, effectively legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide

Transgender rights movement

• The transgender rights movement seeks to advance the rights and protections of transgender and non-binary individuals, who face high rates of discrimination, violence, and marginalization
• Key issues in the transgender rights movement include access to gender-affirming healthcare, legal recognition of gender identity, protection from employment and housing discrimination, and combating anti-transgender violence and stigma
• Notable moments in the transgender rights movement include the removal of gender identity disorder from the DSM-5 in 2013, the Obama administration's guidance on transgender students' access to bathrooms in 2016, and the Equality Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2021

Intersectionality in LGBTQ+ activism

• Intersectionality is a framework that recognizes how multiple marginalized identities (such as race, class, disability, and immigration status) intersect with LGBTQ+ identities to create unique experiences of oppression and discrimination
• Intersectional LGBTQ+ activism seeks to address the ways in which LGBTQ+ individuals who are also members of other marginalized groups face compounded discrimination and barriers to equality
• Examples of intersectional LGBTQ+ activism include the work of organizations like the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), the Trans Latina Coalition, and the National Black Justice Coalition

Contemporary LGBTQ+ issues and challenges

• Despite significant progress in recent years, the LGBTQ+ community continues to face numerous challenges and issues, including ongoing discrimination, violence, and health disparities
• Transgender individuals, particularly transgender women of color, face disproportionately high rates of violence, homicide, and suicide, as well as barriers to healthcare, employment, and housing
• LGBTQ+ youth are at higher risk for bullying, homelessness, and mental health issues, and often lack access to affirming support systems and resources
• Other contemporary issues include the rights of LGBTQ+ parents and families, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in religious communities, and the global fight for LGBTQ+ rights in countries where homosexuality and gender non-conformity are still criminalized or heavily stigmatized

LGBTQ+ identities in society

LGBTQ+ representation in media

• LGBTQ+ representation in media (including film, television, literature, and music) has historically been limited, stereotypical, or negative, but has increased and become more diverse and nuanced in recent years
• Positive and accurate LGBTQ+ representation in media can help to increase visibility, challenge stereotypes, and provide role models for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly youth
• Examples of groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation in media include the television shows "Ellen," "Will & Grace," "Pose," and "Queer Eye," and films like "Brokeback Mountain," "Moonlight," and "Call Me By Your Name"

LGBTQ+ health disparities

• LGBTQ+ individuals face numerous health disparities compared to the general population, including higher rates of mental health issues, substance abuse, and certain cancers
• These health disparities are often rooted in minority stress, discrimination, and lack of access to affirming and competent healthcare providers
• Examples of LGBTQ+ health disparities include higher rates of depression and suicide among LGBTQ+ youth, higher rates of HIV/AIDS among gay and bisexual men, and higher rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease among lesbian and bisexual women

LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination

• LGBTQ+ individuals often face discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on their sexual orientation or gender identity, which can lead to job loss, reduced wages, and hostile work environments
• In many countries and jurisdictions, LGBTQ+ individuals lack explicit legal protections from employment discrimination, making it difficult to seek recourse or justice
• Examples of LGBTQ+ workplace discrimination include being passed over for promotions or job opportunities, being subjected to homophobic or transphobic comments or jokes, or being fired or forced to resign due to one's LGBTQ+ identity

LGBTQ+ youth and coming out

• LGBTQ+ youth often face unique challenges and stressors related to their sexual orientation or gender identity, including bullying, rejection from family and peers, and lack of access to affirming resources and support systems
• Coming out, or disclosing one's LGBTQ+ identity to others, can be a difficult and ongoing process for youth, who may fear rejection, discrimination, or violence
• Examples of supports for LGBTQ+ youth include Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs) in schools, LGBTQ+ youth centers and programs, and online communities and resources

LGBTQ+ parenting and families

• LGBTQ+ individuals and couples face unique challenges and barriers in forming families, including legal and social obstacles to adoption, surrogacy, and assisted reproduction