Discrimination Within the LGBTQ+ Community

The injustice within the LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer plus) community is often overlooked and disregarded. Many are familiar with the term “homophobia”, which is used to describe the dislike or prejudice one might feel towards gay people. However, other types of hatred towards the LGBTQ+ community are often dismissed. Some of the most prevalent types of hate are acephobia (discrimination towards asexual people), biphobia (discrimination towards bisexual people), and transphobia (discrimination towards transgender people).

Acephobia, biphobia, and transphobia can be portrayed by anyone, including other members of the LGBTQ+ community and even ace, bi, or trans people themselves, in a way similar to internalized homophobia, which is homophobia from a gay person.

These types of discrimination are usually shown through stereotypes. For example, asexual people are often called prudes and told they are making their sexuality up for attention; bisexual people are portrayed as very promiscuous and told to pick a side; transgender people are told they are mentally ill and deceiving themselves and others. Many people also outright refute the existence of asexual, bisexual, and transgender people. 

Another, more aggressive way people show acephobia, biphobia, and transphobia is through hate crimes. According to the National Library of Medicine, 20% of LGB adults in the United States alone have reported that they were victims of a hate crime. Almost 40% of LGBTQ+ hate crimes committed were towards transgender people, according to the Department of Justice. Some of these hate crimes can range from minor assault–things like threat of assault without a weapon, attempted assault, and incidents that caused two or less days of hospitalization to major assault–things like robbery, aggravated assault, and incidents that caused 3 or more days of hospitalization.

People face this discrimination every day; it's very common. One person describes their experience facing acephobia in this article: “I felt the drip-drip of other people’s doubt wearing away at my new understanding of myself. But I’d expected this reaction from my religious, rigidly heteronormative family. The real kick in the teeth happened when I went online and discovered the aggressive ace-phobia coming from the one place I was sure I’d find understanding and acceptance. Aces are queer. So why do so many people within the LGBTQIA+ community insist we’re not?” The LGBTQ+ community is a very diverse place, and not all LGBTQ+ people go through the same experience or have the same values. In this case of acephobia, the author highlights the different mindsets people have when it comes to queer people’s sexualities and the outright denial shown. It’s necessary to be open-minded to make everyone feel welcome.

Another story comes from the British Psychological Society: “I was part of a GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance), and many of my friends were members. At the time, I had a boyfriend, and my friends asked me: ‘So Tom, now that you have a boyfriend, does that mean you’re gay now?’ At the time, I didn't realize that what had been said was an act of bisexual erasure – I knew nothing about it. To them, it was just a joke, but to me, it was painful and upsetting, although I couldn't quite put my finger on why.” This example touches upon the fact that some people believe that there is no such thing as bisexuality. Some gay people even view bisexuality as a step towards being gay or that bisexual are “half-gay” instead of just bisexual. It is important to not see everything as black and white and instead understand that sexuality is fluid.

One more real life example of this discrimination comes from Reddit: “So I asked a question about something (I am a trans guy)... I have a friend I like a lot who also came out as [a man]. I asked [on another Reddit page] if it meant I was bi because I love them regardless of their gender identity. I was laughed at and called invalid and a girl even after explaining I was a trans male. It’s really upsetting to see phobia within the LGBTQ community on some other reddit subs.” Although the LGBTQ+ community is a safe place for many, some find little comfort in it and are faced with discrimination from the same place that is supposed to support them. It is crucial that people understand this type of discrimination happens every day, and everyone, regardless of sexuality, can work to be more accepting.