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LESSON OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and diversity within the LGBT community
SUCCESS CRITERIA: To be able to identify the prevalence of the group within Australia, determination of individuals within the group, and how individuals vary within the group.
Prevalence:
There is limited data relating to the percentage of individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, this could be due to the difficulty in acquiring such information, both practically and with respect tp personal privacy.Below are some available statistics, some of which use gender binaries and therefore are not inclusive.
Individual Diversity
The LGBTQIA+ community includes individuals with a range of unique identities & experiences. Sexuality & gender identity are both extremely personal experiences, meaning that although people within the community & subcommunities may have shared experiences, each individual has their own understanding/expression of who they are & what labels do/don't resonate with them.
The way an LGBTQIA+ person expresses themselves, thinks of themself & experiences the world is also determined by external factors, including the views of their family & friends, the society they live in & the laws in their country. For example, in the 70 countries which still criminalise same-sex relationships, a LGBTQIA+ individual would have a very different experience than an LGBTQIA+ individual who lives in Australia, where same-sex marriage is legal.
The different identities within the LGBTQIA+ community also experience discrimination in different ways, for example, transgender individuals experience harassment, abuse & discrimination at high rates despite the increasing acceptance of LGB people. This has a devastating impact on the mental health of trans people, apparent in the suicide statistics found by LGBTIQA+ Health Australia which reveal that, within the LGBTQIA+ community, 4.2% of cisgender women & 3.3% of cisgender men reported having attempted suicide in the past year, compared to 13.7% of trans men, 10.9% of trans women & 6.8% of non-binary participants. (Statistics from LGBTIQ+ Health Australia)
Terminology:
When talking to/about LGBTQIA+ individuals it is important to use terminology that is respectful.
Many of the words/labels accepted/used by the LGBTQIA+ community can be used in both a celebratory/accepting or derogatory way. e.g. a man may identify as gay; however, a homophobic person may use the term 'gay' in a demeaning or disrespectful way. Similarly, people in the LGBTQIA+ community may use the word queer to celebrate or refer to their diverse identities/experiences,however a homophobic or transphobic person may use the term 'queer' in a demeaning or disrespectful way.
Student Activity:
How would you describe LGBTQIA+ people? Write your own definition.
What determines whether an individual is part of this group? What do they have in common?
How might individuals vary within the group?
Make a table in your books by identifying positive and negative terminology used to describe LGBTQIA+ people.
What do you think is the impact of this terminology on LGBTQIA+ people?
Outline the prevalence of LGBTQIA+ people in the Australian community (3)
Describe the individual diversity within the group (4)
What determines whether an individual is part of the group? (4)
Examine how individuals may vary within the group (5)
The community uses positive and negative terminology to describe the group. Discuss the impact this terminology might have the individual (7)
Past HSC Questions
How could the community's use of positive terminology have an impact on the wellbeing of people with disabilities (change to suit) Use examples to support your answer. (4) 2021
Explain the effect that individual diversity has on a person's educational needs with reference to two of the following groups: (6) 2017
Rural and remote families
LGBTQIA+
Youth
Explain how positive and negative terminology used by the community to describe specific groups could affect individuals within the group (8) 2016
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