LGBTQIA. What do all these letters mean?

Text by Evan* Published on Queer Grace - Encyclopedia for Christians LGBTQ (USA), freely translated by Silvia Lanzi

LGBTQIA. What do all these letters mean? The LGBT community is a very varied community, which represents many sexual and gender identities. The acronym means lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. However, it is only the tip of the iceberg. Another acronym is lgtbqiaa, which adds queer, questioning (undecided), intersex, asexual and ally (sympathizing). Other acronyms may include an asterisk (*) to mean any other omitted letter. To simplify things, many people, instead of an acronym use "queer" as a more inclusive term-umbrella.

What is the difference between sexuality and gender?

An important distinction is the difference between sexuality, sex and gender identity. TheresexualityIt is part of the identity of the person and refers to his romantic/sexual attraction. ThesexIt is a biological term that has to do with the physical characteristics of the body. There are three sexes: the male one, the female one and the intersex (which presents the biological characteristics of both the male and the female).
On the other hand, thegenderIt is part of the identity of the person and refers to the way it is seen and shows itself to others.
The individual in which gender sex and identity coincide (for example a biologically male person who identifies himself as such) defines himselfcis-gender. Unlike sex, the genre has several shades that include, but are not limited to:Transgender, Genderqueer, Agenderisgenderfluid.

Some of the different types of sexuality

Asexual:A person who does not feel sexual attraction. Asexual people can however try a romantic attraction.
Bisexual:A person attracted by two or more genres.
The sexual (a):A person who rarely feels sexual attraction.
Heterosexual:A person attracted by other people like that opposite.
Homosexual, gay, lesbian:A person attracted by people of the same kind. "Gay" has several meanings since it can be referred to both a man and a homosexual woman, but "lesbian" refers only to women.
Pansexual:A person sexually attracted to people, regardless of their sex.
Queer:A person who calls himself "non-etherionarmed." This term may include many of the sexuality and identities described here.

Some of the different types of gender identities

Agender:a person who does not identify with any kind.
Bignder:A person who identifies himself with two genres, both simultaneously and at different times.
Cis-gender, cisgender:A person who identifies himself with his biological sex.
Genderfluid:A person person with a sledtamecento or a change of gender identity, or who can identify himself in various ways in different periods.
Genderqueer:A person whose gender identity differs from the social rules of one's biological sex.
Trans, transgender, trans man, trans woman:A person who identifies himself with the opposite sex with respect to his biological sex. Sometimes trans people identify howMTF (from male to female)orFTM (from female to male). A trans man is a biologically born person who identifies himself in a man. A trans woman is a biologically male person who identified herself in a woman.

Why does it matter? Why do people want to give themselves a label?

In the vast majority of cases, our culture is taken for granted that people are heterosexual and cis-gender. For those that are not, this can be a destructive experience; LGBTQ people know they have something "different", but may not be able to explain why. The terms and definitions that flow the different types of identities have a crucial part in self -understanding.

A friend of mine/a member of my family has just come out as a transgender. Which pronoun should I use?

When someone comes out as transgender, people may feel embarrassed since they don't know whether they use female or male pronouns. For the most part, when someone identifies as FTM/MTF (see above), they prefer to be called by the pronouns of the gender they identify with. For example, if a biologically male friend comes out as transgender, he or she will likely want you to use female pronouns. This is not always true: some people in fact prefer to use neutral pronouns.
English is not the only language that has evolved to encompass different gender identities. Swedish recently added the term “hen”, a gender-neutral pronoun that can be used to refer to someone other than himself (han) or she (hon). However, the best way to know what pronoun to use when someone comes out as trans is to ask them. It may be awkward at first, but an honest and open discussion is better than an accidental insult.

What can I do as a sympathizer?

A sympathizer is a heterosexual, cisgender person who supports queer people. Sometimes they want to help, but aren't sure how. Education is the key understanding. It is important to be familiar with these terms and use them appropriately. More than that, talking openly and honestly with queer people is the best way to feel more comfortable with the terms you use.
Another way to be a good sympathizer is to learn which terms and words are offensive and/or derogatory. For example, “transvestite” is an outdated term to describe a man who wears women's clothing or vice versa. It is not an appropriate word to use with a transgender person.
“Queer” is also a word that can be misleading because it was, and sometimes still is, very offensive to gays. The LGTBQQIAA* community has only recently embraced the word, which now simply means someone whose sexual or gender identity is outside of society's norms. However, it can be derogatory if used in the wrong context.
The absolute most important way to be a good sympathizer is to treat queer people as people. It's simple. People, regardless of their sexual or gender identity, just want to be treated with respect.

* Evan. Theologian. Future pastor. Language lover. Pokémon masters.

Original text:L, G, B, T, Q, Q, I, A… what do all the letters mean?