LGBTQ+

???If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I???m shortchanging myself.??? ??? Zanele Muholi

LGBTQ+ is frequently used to refer to all of the communities covered in the "LGBTTTQQIAA" acronym.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, 2/Two-SpiriT, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally

+ Pansexual, + Agender, + Gender Queer, + Bigender, + Gender Variant, + Pangender

As it is more user-friendly, LGBTQ is the more widely used term in the community. The names "Queer Community" and "Rainbow Community" may also be used to describe LGBTQ2+ people. Don't try to memorize this initialism or the many terms because they change frequently. The most important thing is to treat people with respect and speak to them on their own terms.

What is LGBT?

The term "LGB" refers to a person's sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is defined as a long-term pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction between men and women (heterosexual), women and men (homosexual), or men and women to both sexes (homosexual) (bisexual). It also refers to a person's sense of personal and social identity, which is formed by those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a group of people who share those attractions and behaviors. Some persons who have same-sex desires or relationships may identify as "queer," while others may choose not to self-identify with these or any labels for a variety of personal, societal, or political reasons. The "T" in LGBT stands for transgender or gender non-conforming, and refers to those whose gender identity or gender expression differs from that typically associated with the sex to which they were born.

Two- Spirit

Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island (also known as North America) to describe gender-variant persons in their societies, particularly people in indigenous groups who are believed to have both male and female spirits.

Questioning

People who are unclear, still researching, and anxious about putting a societal label to themselves for various reasons may question their gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three.

Intersex

Intersex refers to a difference in sex characteristics such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that prevents an individual from being classified as male or female.

Asexual

Asexuality (or nonsexuality) is the lack of sexual attraction to anyone, or a low or absent interest in sexual activity. It may be considered the lack of a sexual orientation, or one of the variations thereof, alongside heterosexuality, homosexuality, and bisexuality.

Ally

An Ally is a person who considers themselves a friend of the LGBTQ+ community.

Pansexual

Sexual attraction, romantic affection, or emotional attraction toward people of any sex or gender identity is known as pansexuality or omnisexuality. Gender and sex are insignificant or irrelevant in deciding whether pansexuals will be sexually attracted to others, and pansexuals may refer to themselves as gender-blind.

Agender

Agender individuals, also known as genderless, genderfree, non-gendered, or ungendered people, are individuals who do not identify as having a gender. This category encompasses a wide range of identities that don't fit into typical gender roles. Gender Queer: It's a catch-all phrase for gender identities that aren't either masculine or feminine, and hence fall outside of the gender binary and cisnormativity.

Bigender

It's a gender identity in which a person switches back and forth between feminine and masculine gender identities and behaviors, depending on the situation. Some bigenders have two separate "female" and "male" personalities, feminine and masculine, while others find themselves identifying as both genders at the same time.

Gender Variant

Gender nonconformity, also known as gender variance, is when an individual's behavior or gender expression differs from masculine and feminine gender norms. People who express gender diversity are known as gender variants, gender non-conforming, gender diverse, or gender atypical, and they may be transgender or otherwise gender abnormal. Gender variation may be present in some intersex people.

Pangender

Pangender people are those who feel they identify as all genders. The term has a great deal of overlap with gender queer. Because of its all-encompassing nature, presentation and pronoun usage vary between different people who identify as pangender.

LGBTQ Community and Social Stigma

On September 6, 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a provision of the discriminatory Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code, marking a significant victory for the LGBT community. While homosexuality is no longer illegal in India, talks regarding one's sexual orientation are nevertheless taboo. People hugged in twos and threes on the lawns outside the Delhi courthouse as India's supreme court announced that gay marriage would be legalised. In Bangalore, they dressed up in rainbow flags and released balloons into the sky. They danced all night in Mumbai's nightclubs. People in Patna, on the other hand, did nothing. People are satisfied, yet they are cocooned. Bihar still conjures up images of crime and poverty in the minds of Indians.

The idea of marrying a lady and having children is strongly ingrained in this culture. People there believe that being gay or lesbian is a mental illness for which the government should not provide support. The stigma is still there.

How to Be an Ally?

There are two types of "allies": those who support the queer community and those who appear to be more concerned with their own advancement. Anyone can support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Understanding LGBT-related topics, including fundamental vocabulary and concepts, can assist you in providing support to LGBT-identified persons. To be an ally, you should stay informed.

If you're not sure what the difference between sex and gender is or what the latest LGBT news and issues are, educate yourself. Ask questions, study, and don't be ashamed to admit when you don't know something. You should always speak up. People don't speak up when they hear something insulting, such as "that's so gay," for a variety of reasons. It can be awkward since people are unsure of what to say or don't want to aggravate the issue. However, words have the potential to cause harm. When you speak up, you educate others, letting them know that their remarks are not acceptable and possibly inspiring others to do the same. You can also influence people's behavior in the future. This is a powerful statement.

Allies are valuable supporters of the LGBT community who are warmly welcomed. They may be successful and powerful advocates for LGBT equality, not just by supporting LGBT people in coming out but also by educating others on the necessity of equality and fairness for all.

The bulk of the populace is unaware of the LGBTQ group, and some of them have inaccurate information. The members of the LGBTQ community need to be recognised and treated with dignity. We should keep calm in the face of difference and live our lives in a state of inclusion and wonder at the diversity of humanity.

References

• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/teens/lgbtq

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT

• https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq