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What is LGBTQIA+?
What is LGBTQIA+?
LGBTQIA+ is an acronym for an ever growing and evolving concept of sexuality and gender and stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual with the '+' representing identities not included in the acronym. Just as language is fluid and ever changing, so is sexuality and gender, so it is important stay up to date with this concept and its terms. LGBTQIA+ is a term to help explain the complexities of people's relationships: who they are attracted to, who they are, and much more. It is primarily a virtue of inclusiveness to help spread understanding of other people and cultures in the realm of gender and sexuality.
LGBTQIA+ Introduction Lesson
LGBTQIA+ Introduction Lesson
Click here to access a slideshow briefly introducing LGBTQIA+ terms and topics. Providing background information about the LGBTQIA+ community may be helpful for students who are not familiar with the topic and may also help promote understanding when discussing queer issues.
Gender & Sexualities
Gender & Sexualities
Genders and sexualities are as numerous as there are people, and people represent their gender and sexuality in just as many different ways. The videos here briefly explain the acronyms in LGBTQIA+ and 10 (out of many) different sexualities. Below are additional resources, including the LGBTQIA Resource Center, to learn more about the many categories and meanings of LGBTQIA+.
While learning through these sites and videos, please keep in mind that the LGBTQIA+ community is ever evolving and welcoming new identites and the information presented in these sources may not be up to date or completely accurate to the present.
Pronouns
Pronouns
Pronouns are linguistic tools used to refer to people, and a person's sexual orientation or biological gender does not determine their pronouns. Some common pronouns include: she/her, he/him, and they/them. People can also identify with more than one set of pronouns like she/they or she/he/they. It is important to respect the pronouns of everyone as they are often just as crucial to identity as our names are.
There are also individuals who use neopronouns which are pronouns that aren't typically used in English and aren't associated with any specific gender identity.
Learn more by clicking on the resources below.
Pride Flags
Pride Flags
There are many more identities that go beyond the identities represented in the LGBTQIA+ acronym. In addition to a pride flag that represents the LGBTQIA+ movement as a whole, there are individual pride flags representing specific identities of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Many of the LGBTQIA+ flags that are used today are inspired by the rainbow flag. These flags, which are often made by amateur designers, gain popularity online or among related organizations and become a semi-official symbol of the community. The flags usually use a variety of colors that represent various facets of the communities they are associated with.
The resources below provide an in-depth look at pride flags and the identities they represent.
The current LGBTQIA+ pride flag highlights the experiences of queer people of color, transgender, and intersex individuals.
Heteronormativity
Heterosexual normativity, also referred to as heteronormativity, is the idea that heterosexual relationships are the 'normal' relationships people should have. This implies that queer relationships are 'abnormal', which is simply inaccurate. The concept of heterosexual normativity is more modern than one might think. Homosexual and LGBTGIA+ relationships have historical records dating back to Ancient Rome - it was normal for men to have relationships with both men and women. Additionally, homosexuality is quite common in nature and is commonly found amongst animals.
Heteronormativity can illicit bias and othering against LGBTQIA+ people by painting them as 'abnormal'. This can lead to hate and abuse against LGBTQIA+ people, including denying them human rights and worse.
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