The acronym LGBTQ+ refers to individuals who identify as non-heterosexual or non-cisgender. It is an expansion of the popular LGBT initialism that replaced LGB when referring to the community. Thus to understand the growth and development of this acronym and the community it encompasses, one must first look at the meaning of LGBT.
The acronym LGBT stands for Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.
- Lesbian – This term refers to women attracted to and engaging in sexual relations with other women. Also known as female homosexuality, the term lesbian was derived from the name Lesbos, the Greek island on which the famous poet Sappho lived.
- Gay – The term gay relates to men attracted to other men. The word began to replace slurs used to identify homosexual males in the 1960s. While the word gay had often been used to describe female homosexuals and other non-heterosexual sexualities, since the 20th century, it has almost exclusively been linked to homosexual males.
- Bisexual – Originally used in the 19th century, bisexuality referred to individuals attracted, whether romantically or physically, to men and women. In the more recent years, the term bisexual has now become known as the matter of being attracted to more than one sex or gender.
- Transgender – Unlike the sexualities that make up the other parts of the LGBT acronym, the matter of transgender individuals deals with gender identity and expression. The term was initially used in 1965 but grew in popularity during the 1970s. Transgender individuals are people whose gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. This is unlike individuals identified as cisgender, whose assigned sex matches the gender identity they perceive for themselves. Transgender individuals may identify as any heterosexual or non-heterosexual sexuality while still remaining part of the LGBT community.
During the early 1960s, the term gay and lesbian was usually used to classify most members who identified as non-heterosexual. However, even within these disadvantaged communities, there was strife as many lesbian feminists refused to tolerate or defend gay men due to their negative view of patriarchy. At the same time, other individuals, such as bisexuals, were trying to create a safe place to express their identity, which was negatively affected by the ongoing belief that individuals could not be attracted to more than one gender.
In addition, non-cisgender individuals such as transgender people and those who were intersex often found it difficult to find support from the non-heterosexual community.
The growing unease was disrupted by the Stonewall Riots which saw members of the non-heterosexual and non-cisgender community banding together in protest against police raids and brutality. The Stonewall Riots led to the creation of a more cohesive community that would eventually give birth to the first gay pride marches in 1970.
But despite this growing cohesion, some were still not happy with the community. Many gay and lesbian members began to criticize transgender and bisexual people claiming that they were using offensive stereotypes and closeted. However, having dealt with years of harassment and the inability to express themselves and their sexualities or gender identities, the larger community was unwilling to abandon any of their members.
This lead to the use of the LGBTQ, where the letter Q would represent anyone questioning their gender identity or sexuality. In some cases, the letter Q was also used as a placeholder for the word Queer. This was usually only used by those who no longer saw the word in a negative light.
As more sexualities and gender identities have emerged, the acronym has grown, leading to the use of LGBTQ+. Seen as one of the most inclusive versions of the community name LGBTQ+ covers all related communities, including.
- Intersex – This is defined as any individual who does not fit into the criteria of what is expected of either a male or female body. Intersex individuals may sometimes have what is known as ambiguous genitalia, or in some cases, their intersexuality may not be readily observable.
- Asexual – Commonly referred to as the Asexual Spectrum, asexuality covers a broad swath of individuals who lack the expected urges towards sex and sexual attraction. Gray asexuality is an umbrella term that refers to individuals, including those who only experience sexual desires after an emotional connection is developed, demisexuality. It also covers those who dislike romance and all attached to it, better known as aromantic.
Other sexualities and genders are usually covered under the main ones identified above. For example, pansexual individuals who experience attraction regardless of sexuality or gender are covered under bisexuality.
The aim of the LBTQ+ acronym is to ensure that members of the non-heterosexual and non-cisgender community know that there is a safe place for them in the world such as shops like Wicked Wanda’s. And as the community grows, the acronym will allow everyone to be sheltered under its protection.
