LGBTQ 101 Part Two
Hi everyone, welcome back. We're now going to discuss definitions of the LGBTQ community, symbols important to the
community, inclusivity, civil rights, legal rights, and more.
IV-LGBTQ
Definitions
Before we delve further into the LGBTQ
community, I believe it’s important to define the letters in the acronym. What
do those letters stand for? The identifiers are:
Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Queer
Sometimes the Q is representative of the
word “questioning”, for those who are researching the orientations to find how
they identify.
"LGBT and Q" by Esperanza Habla
However, in the millennial generation, 20%
of people identify as LGBTQ.
In fact, in a recent study, 1% of
children ages 9-10 already self-identify as being in the LGBTQ community.
These numbers will undoubtedly rise as
more people within different generations learn of and declare their gender,
romantic, and sexual orientations.
Like the word “asexual” in our last
lesson, the term queer is an
umbrella term. While encompassing the entirety of the LGBTQ acronym, there are
thousands of orientations that do not fit into L, G, B, or T. Therefore, Q is a
stand-alone category all to itself.
Of course, the word queer has more
negative connotation. For decades it has been used as a pejorative term, to
insult and diminish another person. To many people, the word is a derogatory
term and not acceptable in any form.
For me personally, my sexual orientation
is in the queer category. I do not personally identify as queer. I would be insulted if I was
called queer in the pejorative sense. Still, that is where my orientation lies. I am 99% heteronormative, 1% queer.
Heteronormative is defined as: "...based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality."
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteronormative
The notion that all women should grow up, get married, have children, etc., this is a heteronormative narrative. It's the "Happy Ever After" scenario. Not everyone fits into that model. We as individuals get to define our Happily Ever After.
Heteronormative is defined as: "...based on the attitude that heterosexuality is the only normal and natural expression of sexuality."
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heteronormative
The notion that all women should grow up, get married, have children, etc., this is a heteronormative narrative. It's the "Happy Ever After" scenario. Not everyone fits into that model. We as individuals get to define our Happily Ever After.
Another symbol seen within the LGBT
acronym is the plus sign: LGBT+
It too represents the thousands of
orientations under the Queer umbrella term, and can be interchangeable for the
Q letter.
I recently found a graphic that illustrates the differences in the LG, B, T, and Q identities. In the graphic
below, the L, G, B and T communities are above the water; the Q identities are
shown under the water.
As shown above, demisexuality falls under
the Q –or plus-category, as well as:
-allosexual
-graysexual
-akiosexual
-Nonbinary
-pansexual
-trisexual
-polysexual
-asexual
-transfeminine
-transmasculine
-graygender
-genderfluid
-agender
-bigender
-trigender
-polygender
-pansexual
-akioromantic
-autochrisromantic
-demigirl
-demiguy
-intersex
-pomogender
-aromantic
-demiromantic
-alloramatic
-grayromantic
-two-spirited
-autochrorissexual
Again, these are a few of the thousands
of orientations that fit into the Q category, including:
Another popular acronym to represent the
LGBTQ community is GSD; it means:
Gender Sexuality
Diversity
To me, the GSD acronym is more inclusive
to everyone in the L, G, B, T and Q communities. It is the acronym I prefer.
However, I do not foresee it replacing LGBTQ any time soon.
There is a little known practice within
the LGBTQ community that must be discussed-gatekeeping.
This is a practice in the LGBT community that negates people for their orientations.
Many who are L,G,B, and T do not feel that asexual people, and other
orientations in the Q category, belong in the community. This is also seen with
bisexuals, pansexuals, fill in the blank. As a cisgender hetero-romantic
demisexual, I have experienced gatekeeping. Many feel that “Cishets” (combination of "Cis" and "Hetero") don’t
belong in the LGBTQ community.
As a demisexual, I have a unique perspective. I have one foot in the straight world, as it were, and one foot in the LGBTQ world. Do I fit in to the LGBT
community? I do not feel that I do. I am not Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or
Transgender.
However, I do feel represented
by the Q in the LGBTQ acronym. As the Queer Iceberg graphic denotes, there are
thousands of orientations within the Q heading. If I hear or see something that is
LGBT, my interest is drawn towards it. If something is specifically labeled
LGBTQ, I feel I am instantly included and would be welcome at that event or project.
It is important when referencing the LGBTQ community to write the acronym as "LGBTQ or "LGBT+." Adding the plus sign and the Q includes the 1% of the population of people that fall into the Q or plus category. As we learned in the last lesson, 1% of the world population equates to 70 million people. It's important to be welcoming and inclusive of all, L, G, B, T and Q.
It is important when referencing the LGBTQ community to write the acronym as "LGBTQ or "LGBT+." Adding the plus sign and the Q includes the 1% of the population of people that fall into the Q or plus category. As we learned in the last lesson, 1% of the world population equates to 70 million people. It's important to be welcoming and inclusive of all, L, G, B, T and Q.
V-LGBTQ
symbols
As noted before, the plus symbol is often
seen on the end of the LGBT community acronym, as shown here:
LGBT+
There are several different symbols that
are known within the LGBTQ community. These symbols let the LGBTQ community
know which people-and establishments-will welcome them. They are as follows:
The Gay Pride Flag-
"Gay Pride Flag Meanings" by Esperanza Habla
The
Rainbow
This is a natural phenomenon that invokes
the LGBTQ flag
The pink triangle was first used in Nazi
concentration camps to point out which inmates in the camp were gay. In the
years following World War II, it has become a symbol of protest and unity. It
can be seen in black, purple, and many other colors.
The Equal Sign:
The equal sign is one of the most popular
symbols within the LGBTQ community. It represents the fight for equality. It is the corporate symbol for the Human Rights Campaign.
The Unicorn:
The unicorn has long been a symbol of the
LGBTQ community. In decades past, many people weren’t “out of the closet”, or
publicly open about their gender, romantic, or sexual orientations. The unicorn was used
as a visual metaphor; to encounter another person in the LGBTQ
community was as likely as finding a unicorn.
The Dragon
Similar to the unicorn, many asexuals use
the symbolism of the dragon for their orientation. Just as unlikely as it is to
find another unicorn in the world, it would be equally hard to find another
dragon.
Gender symbols-
Gender symbols are used to personally
identify gender, romantic, and sexual orientations.
VI-Discrimination
This is perhaps the most crucial part of
our discussion today. There are many states that do not offer protection of
employment to the LGBTQ community, as shown on the following map:
Rights to the LGBTQ community need to
happen, on the federal level. No one should be fired because of their gender,
romantic, or sexual orientations.
Unfortunately, rights of the LGBTQ
community are at risk throughout the planet. An article put out by the Guardian
last year reports on the penalties involved, both criminal and capital:
“Fifty
years after homosexuality was decriminalised in England and Wales, 72 other countries
and territories worldwide continue to criminalise same-sex relationships,
including 45 in which sexual relationships between women are outlawed. There
are eight countries in which homosexuality can result in a death penalty, and
dozens more in which homosexual acts can result in a prison sentence…”
India recently made headlines for
decriminalizing homosexuality. It was a victory for everyone in the LGBTQ community.
“Delivering
his decision, Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said, “The LGBTQ community has
the same fundamental rights as citizens. The identity of a person is very
important and we have to vanquish prejudice, embrace inclusion and ensure equal
rights.”
VI-Violence/Murder/Suicide
The statistics of murder and violence are
exponentially higher against the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign
reports:
“In
2016, 6,121 hate crime incidents were reported --an increase of five percent
from 2015. Of the 6,121 incidents reported, 1,076 were based on sexual
orientation bias and 124 were based on gender identity bias.…However, these
numbers likely represent only a fraction of such cases, given that reporting
hate crimes to the FBI is not mandatory.”
https://www.hrc.org/blog/new-fbi-data-shows-increased-reported-incidents-of-anti-lgbtq-hate-crimes-i
Murder against transgender people is on
the rise. In 2017 there were 28 murders of transgender individuals.
So far in 2018 there have 20 murders.
Many of the victims were trans women of color.
Suicide is exponentially higher in the
LGBTQ community. The Trevor Project reports:
· Suicide
is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24
· LGB
youth seriously contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of
heterosexual youth
· LGB
youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to
heterosexual youth
VII-Allies:
What they are, how to be one
At this time in the world, we need
inclusion, compassion, kindness, and allies to the LGBTQ community. The Human
Rights Campaign defines an ally as:
“… a term used to describe someone who is
supportive of LGBT people. It encompasses non-LGBT allies as well as those
within the LGBT community who support each other, e.g. a lesbian who is an ally
to the bisexual community.”
For those of us in the LGBTQ
community, allies are an important resource. If you feel that civil rights are
important to you, if you feel everyone should be afforded the same rights under
the law, regardless of your orientations, you are an ally.
How does one be an ally? How does one
show their support of the LGBTQ community? One way is by simply doing that:
showing your support.
If you are straight, and you have friends in the LGBTQ community, go to your local Pride event together. If you see a library that offers drag queen story hour, attend the story hour. Educate yourself on the different issues that are pertinent to the LGBTQ community. Watch Queer Eye on Netflix, and learn about the LGBTQ community. Shop and spend your money at business who are open to all. If your state does not have a hate crime law, push to get one passed. If your state doesn’t offer employment protection under the law, donate your money to a legal advocacy group. Join PFLAG. Donate money to groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union.
If you are straight, and you have friends in the LGBTQ community, go to your local Pride event together. If you see a library that offers drag queen story hour, attend the story hour. Educate yourself on the different issues that are pertinent to the LGBTQ community. Watch Queer Eye on Netflix, and learn about the LGBTQ community. Shop and spend your money at business who are open to all. If your state does not have a hate crime law, push to get one passed. If your state doesn’t offer employment protection under the law, donate your money to a legal advocacy group. Join PFLAG. Donate money to groups like the Matthew Shepard Foundation, the Human Rights Campaign, the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Human Rights Campaign offers
these tips on how to be an ally:
1. Be honest: It’s important to be
honest with yourself — acknowledging your feelings and coming to terms with
them. And it means being honest with the person who came out in your life —
acknowledging you aren't an expert, asking them what's important to them,
seeking resources to better understand the realities of being an LGBT
individual so that you can be truly informed and supportive.
2. Send gentle
signals: Showing and sharing your acceptance and support can be very
easy. Many people often don’t realize that LGBT people keep watch for signs
from their friends, family and acquaintances about whether it is safe to be
open with them. It can be as subtle as having an LGBT-themed book on your
coffee table.
3. Have courage: Just as it
takes courage for LGBT people to be open and honest about who they are, it also
takes courage to support your LGBT friends or loved ones. We live in a society where
prejudice still exists and where discrimination is still far too common.
Recognizing these facts and giving your support to that person will take your
relationship to a higher level and is a small step toward a better and more
accepting world.
4. Be reassuring: Explain to a someone
who came out to you that their sexual orientation or gender identity has not
changed how you feel about them, but it might take a little while for you to
digest what they have told you. You still care for and respect them as much as
you ever have or more. And that you want to do right by them and that you
welcome them telling you if anything you say or do is upsetting.
5. Let your support
inform your decisions: It’s about working to develop a true understanding of what
it means to be LGBT in America and trying to do your part to help break down
the walls of prejudice and discrimination that still exist — for example, by
supporting businesses with appropriate anti-discrimination policies, saying you
don’t appreciate “humor” that demeans LGBT people when it happens or learning
about where political candidates stand on issues that have an impact on the
LGBT community.
Alright
everyone, that wraps up our seminar for today. I want to thank you for
listening, and for doing so with an open mind. I hope this has been an informative seminar today.
Again, this was
meant to be a basic introduction to the LGBTQ community. As much as we covered in this seminar, we have but scratched the surface into the community and the issues it
faces.
I have listed
some resources below, to help you with any further questions you might have. Thank
you all for coming, and for listening with an open mind.
Resources:
It Gets Better Project: https://itgetsbetter.org/
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