About LGBT
LGBT is a commonly used acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender, meant to be an inclusive label for minority sexualities and identities. Often, there will be a Q (queer) attached---queer represents all the sexualities and identities that do not fit into the broader categories. Although transgender is not a sexuality, transgendered individuals are included in this community because of their shared oppressions (homophobia, heterosexism and sexism).
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The Facts
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Lesbians are women who are attracted to women. Gay refers to males who are attracted to other males, with the term also used to describe all homosexuals. Bisexuals are individuals who are attracted to both sexes. Unlike lesbian, gay and bisexual, which are sexual orientations, transgender refers to individuals whose gender identity does not correlate to their biological sex. Some categories within transgender include transvestites (cross dressers), transsexuals and genderqueers (people who do not conform to traditional notions of gender).
History
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In 620 B.C., the respected and famous Greek lyricist, Sappho, was born on the Isle of Lesbos---the term "lesbian" is derived from the isle, as many of her love poems were addressed to woman. The culture of ancient Greece and Rome fostered intimate and erotic bonds between men, with mentorship programs founded upon these homosocial and homosexual relationships.
1869 marked the first use of the term "homosexual" by Hungarian journalist Karoly Maria Kertbeny. Famous LBGT's throughout history include: Oscar Wilde, Alexander the Great, Walt Whitman, Friedrich Nietzche, Gertrude Stein, Greta Garbo, Ian McKellen, Dusty Springfield, Ellen DeGeneres and Elton John.
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Sex and Gender
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Sex is defined by physiological (anatomy) and biological (chromosomes) traits. Although there is a pervasive binary view of sex, transsexuals and intersexed individuals do not fit easily fit into the traditional categories of male and female.
Gender is defined by behaviors and psychology. The spectrum between masculine and feminine is often viewed as a dichotomy. Although cultures often conflate male with the masculine and female as being feminine, it is important to recognize that sex does not always equal gender.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
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Sexual orientation is internal while gender identity is external. Sexual orientation refers to the romantic, sexual or emotional attachments between people. Gender identity pertains to an individual's portrayed gender. Genders include masculine, feminine, androgynous and genderqueer. An androgynous identity combines masculine and feminine traits in a harmonious and fluid manner while genderqueer identities refuse to adhere to culturally constructed notions of gender. Genderqueer people sometimes prefer the use of gender neutral pronouns such as ze/sie, zir, and hir, instead of the traditional he/him/his and she/her/hers.
Other Letters
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Although LGBT is the most widely used acronym, other letters (QQIAT) may be added. These letters stand for Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and Transsexual. Queer is an umbrella term for anyone who does not fit within a heteronormative identity. "Questioning" represents people who are unsure about their sexuality or are reluctant to label themselves as one of the other orientations and identities. Intersexed individuals have ambiguous primary or secondary sex organs, or their chromosomal sex does not match their perceived anatomical sex. According to the University of California at Berkeley's Gender and Equity Resource Department, asexual refers to "having no evident sex or sex organs. In usage, may refer to a person who is not sexually active, or not sexually attracted to other people." Transsexuals are sometimes differentiated from the umbrella term transgender because of their plans to complete or completion of a sexual reassignment surgery.
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References
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Comments
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'Gender identity' does not refer to ones portrayed gender, but ones sense of being male, female, or gender variant. It is very internal. Though it can be expressed through how ones gender is portrayed, instead, that is referred to as 'gender presentation.'
