LGBT 101: An introduction to the Queer community

Summary

This video introduces key concepts within the LGBTQ+ community, breaking down terms in the LGBTQ+ acronym and explaining four key traits: Biological Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Expression. It covers a spectrum-based understanding of these traits, explains gender identities (e.g., cisgender, transgender, agender), and sexual orientations (e.g., bisexual, pansexual, asexual). The importance of respecting individuals’ chosen identities, pronouns, and expressions is emphasized. The video promotes understanding and respect while encouraging viewers to explore and define their own identities.

Takeaways

• 🏳️‍🌈 The LGBTQ+ acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally, covering a range of identities within the community.
• 🌟 Biological Sex refers to the physical anatomy one is born with, determined by hormones and organs.
• 🏃‍♀️ Gender Identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, or something else, which may or may not align with their biological sex.
• 💖 Sexual Orientation is who a person is attracted to, either romantically or sexually, and can include heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual orientations.
• 👗 Gender Expression is how a person outwardly presents their gender identity through clothing, style, behavior, etc.
• 🌈 The concept of a spectrum is central to understanding gender identity and sexual orientation, as traits can fall anywhere between two extremes.
• 👤 Intersex individuals have differences in hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
• 🌀 Genderqueer is an umbrella term for people who identify outside the gender binary.
• 🔄 Gender Fluid individuals may identify differently at different times, moving along the gender spectrum.
• 🏋️‍♀️ Cisgender describes people whose gender identity matches their biological sex, while transgender individuals experience a mismatch and may choose to transition.
• 🚫 It's important to respect each person's self-defined gender and sexuality, their pronouns, chosen name, appearance, and choice in partners.

Q & A

What does the acronym LGBTQ+ stand for?

The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally.

What are the four key traits that every person, queer or not, has?

The four key traits are Biological Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Expression.

What is the difference between Biological Sex and Gender Identity?

Biological Sex refers to the physical anatomy with which a person is born, while Gender Identity is the personal feeling and conceptualization of one's own gender on the spectrum between male and female.

How is Sexual Orientation defined in the script?

Sexual Orientation is defined as the gender to which a person is attracted either romantically or sexually in relation to their own.

What is Gender Expression and how does it relate to Gender Identity?

Gender Expression is how a person chooses to outwardly show their gender identity. It is an extension of gender identity and can be seen in the clothes one wears, how they style their hair, or even the way they stand.

What is the term used to describe people whose combination of hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies?

The term used is 'Intersex'.

What does the term 'Queer' generally refer to within the community?

The term 'Queer' is an umbrella term used by most of the community to refer to anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

What does it mean when someone is said to be 'Questioning'?

Questioning refers to people who are still questioning their sexuality or gender.

What is the significance of the term 'Ally' in the LGBTQ+ community?

An Ally is a non-queer person who supports and loves the queer community.

What is Cisgender and how does it relate to Gender Identity and Biological Sex?

Cisgender is when a person's internal gender identity matches their born biological sex.

What is the term for people who don't identify with any gender?

Agender people don't identify with any gender and often use gender-neutral pronouns.

How does the script define the term 'Spectrum' in relation to gender and sexuality?

The script defines the term 'Spectrum' as a scale between two opposite points, indicating that traits like gender identity and sexual orientation can fall on either extreme or anywhere in between.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Introduction to the LGBTQ+ Community Concepts

This paragraph introduces the purpose of the video: to explain key concepts within the LGBTQ+ community. It highlights the complexity of the terms and definitions often seen in media. The main focus is breaking down the LGBTQ+ acronym—Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Ally—and explaining how these terms relate to four core traits: Biological Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Expression. The paragraph defines these terms and provides simple distinctions: biological sex refers to physical anatomy, gender identity relates to one's internal sense of gender, sexual orientation refers to who one is attracted to, and gender expression is how one presents gender outwardly.

05:03

📚 Breaking Down LGBTQ+ Terms and Their Relationships

This paragraph connects the concepts of sexual orientation, biological sex, and gender identity by associating specific terms with each trait. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Asexual refer to sexual orientation; Intersex relates to biological sex; and Transgender connects to gender identity. The term 'Queer' is explained as an umbrella term used by many in the community, while 'Questioning' refers to people unsure about their sexuality or gender. Allies are described as non-queer individuals who support the LGBTQ+ community. Finally, the paragraph introduces the idea of spectrums for traits, suggesting that biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression exist along a continuum rather than binary categories.

Keywords

💡LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other identities (the '+' includes Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Ally). It represents the diverse range of sexual orientations and gender identities. The video uses this acronym to discuss various aspects of gender and sexuality, highlighting the spectrum of identities included within the community.

💡Biological Sex

Biological sex refers to the physical anatomy, such as reproductive organs and hormones, a person is born with, typically categorized as male or female. In the video, biological sex is discussed as one of the four key traits used to understand an individual's identity. Examples include male characteristics like testosterone and testes, and female traits like estrogen and ovaries.

💡Gender Identity

Gender identity is the personal sense or experience of one's own gender, which may or may not align with their biological sex. The video explains that this exists on a spectrum, ranging from male to female, with some individuals identifying as non-binary, genderqueer, or agender. It emphasizes that gender identity is about how one feels internally.

💡Sexual Orientation

Sexual orientation refers to the gender to which a person is romantically or sexually attracted. In the video, it is one of the four core traits discussed, with terms like heterosexual (attraction to the opposite gender), homosexual (same gender attraction), bisexual (attraction to both genders), and pansexual (attraction to all genders).

💡Gender Expression

Gender expression is how individuals choose to outwardly present their gender identity, through clothing, behavior, hairstyles, and other forms of appearance. The video uses examples like drag queens and kings, who express gender as an art form, but reminds viewers not to make assumptions about their gender identity or sexual orientation based on their presentation.

💡Cisgender

Cisgender refers to people whose gender identity matches their biological sex. The video contrasts this with transgender individuals, whose gender identity does not align with their biological sex. Cisgender individuals experience alignment between how they feel inside and their physical bodies.

💡Transgender

Transgender individuals have a gender identity that differs from their biological sex. The video explains that many transgender people experience gender dysphoria and may choose to transition through hormone therapy or surgery to align their body with their gender identity. It emphasizes that it’s important to respect trans people’s identity and transition process.

💡Intersex

Intersex refers to people born with a combination of male and female biological characteristics that don’t fit typical binary definitions of male or female bodies. The video mentions this in relation to biological sex, explaining that intersex individuals may have variations in hormones, internal organs, or genitals.

💡Genderqueer

Genderqueer is an umbrella term for individuals who do not identify strictly as male or female. The video highlights this term to describe those whose gender identity falls outside the binary gender spectrum, including gender-neutral, gender-fluid, and bigender individuals. Genderqueer people may use pronouns such as they/them.

💡Asexual

Asexuality refers to a lack of sexual attraction to any gender. The video explains that asexual individuals may still experience romantic attraction, using the example of someone being panromantic (romantically attracted to all genders) but asexual (not sexually attracted to any gender). It emphasizes that emotional and physical attractions can be distinct.

Highlights

Introduction to the LGBTQ+ acronym, breaking down terms such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Ally.

Explanation of four key traits: Biological Sex, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Expression.

Clear distinction of terms: Biological Sex refers to anatomy, Gender Identity refers to personal conceptualization, Sexual Orientation is about attraction, and Gender Expression is how one presents gender.

Gender Identity spectrum, ranging from masculine (he/him/his) to feminine (she/her), with gender-neutral identities in between.

Intersex defined as people whose anatomy does not fit typical notions of male or female bodies.

Explanation of gender-neutral pronouns like they/them and invented pronouns such as ze/zir.

Introduction to gender-fluid and bigender identities, emphasizing respect for changing pronouns based on how a person identifies at a given time.

Definition of cisgender as those whose gender identity matches their biological sex, and transgender as those whose identity does not match.

Discussion of gender dysphoria and the process of transition for transgender individuals, including hormone therapy and surgeries.

Clarification of gender expression as an outward manifestation of one’s gender identity, influenced by clothing, hair, and other physical attributes.

Differentiation between sexual and romantic attraction, such as being panromantic but asexual.

Introduction of sexual orientation terms like heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, and asexual, and the nuances of attraction.

Explanation of drag kings and queens as a form of gender expression without assumptions about their gender identity or orientation.

Emphasis on the importance of respecting individual pronouns, chosen names, and partners, promoting inclusivity and respect for diverse identities.

Encouragement to share the video and engage with new vocabulary to define oneself and support the LGBTQ+ community.

Transcripts

Hey everyone! Welcome to this super neat Introduction to some concepts Within the LGBT Community

There are so many buzzwords,

Vocabulary and definitions floating around in the media it can be hard to dissect what it all means

so this Brief Video will Introduce you to some basic Concepts

Okay, There's a lot to get through

first the LGBTQ+ Acronym

Let's Break That Down

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual

Transgender, Queer

Questioning, Intersex

Asexual, Ally

Now all of these words deal with one of four key traits every person, queer or not, has

Biological Sex is the physical anatomy with which you are born

Gender Identity is the personal feeling and

Conceptualization of one's own gender on the spectrum between male and female

Sexual Orientation Is the gender to which a person is attracted either romantically or sexually in relation to their own

Gender Expression is how a person chooses to outwardly show their gender identity

In simple terms

Biological Sex what you have; Gender Identity what you feel;

Sexual Orientation who you love; Gender Expression how you look and act

Okay, we just broke down the acronym and we talked about the four traits. Now let's put them together.

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Asexual

Refer To sexual Orientation.

Intersex Refers to differences in Biological Sex Which Can, also be Related to being Transgender and both of those are related to Gender Identity.

Queer Is an Umbrella Term used by most of the community to refer to anyone who identifies as part of the community.

Questioning refers to people who are, you guessed it, still questioning their sexuality or gender.

Allies are non-queer folk who support and love the queer community.

Now, the first Idea to talk about is that of a spectrum.

The LGBTQ+ community widely accepts that the four aforementioned traits are all on a spectrum a scale between two opposite Points

Traits Can Fall on Either extreme or Anywhere in Between

Alright Let's Jump in and Start With Terms relating to Gender Identity

First, Biological Sex The Extremes on This Spectrum Are biological Male and Female These are determined Mainly by Hormones and Organs

for Males This Means Testosterone A Penis Testes and Secondary Sex Characteristics like Body and Facial [Hair] and A lower Voice

For females This Means estrogen a Vagina and the internal reproductive Organs for Pregnancy

Female Secondary Sex Characteristics Include Breasts wider Hips and higher Voice

Intersex is the Term Used to describe [People] whose Combination of Hormones

Internal Sex Organs and Genitals do not fit Typical Binary Notions of Male Or female Bodies

Gender Another Spectrum is the Scale between Boy and Girl Boys

May Use Masculine Pronouns He/him/his and Feel Masculine Girls use she/her Pronouns and Feel Feminine Anyone Who iDentifies

Outside The gender Binary Falls under The Umbrella Term of Genderqueer

Halfway Between The extremes is gender-Neutral this means someone Who iDentifies as Neither a man nor a woman they often Choose Neutral Pronouns

They/them/their Or A Variation of the Invented Pronouns Ze/zir/ze

Someone who is gender Fluid May Identify Differently at Different Times.

A Bigender Person lives Their life at both extremes at Different Times Living both as a man and as A woman

With Both gender Fluid and bigender People it is important to listen and Respect the Appropriate Pronoun for the Situation

Agender People don't identify With Any Gender and often use gender-Neutral Pronouns

So we Already established that gender Identity Is the gender you Feel inside when your Internal gender Identity Matches your Born

Biological Sex That's Called Cisgender

if They don't Match, Transgender

Transgender People Experience Gender Dysphoria Or the Uncomfortable Feeling that Their mind and Body don't Match

often Trans People will Choose to Transition

Using Hormone Replacement Therapy and/or Various Surgeries to Change Their Bodies to Match Their Identity.

It is never okay to ask a trans Person Where they are in Their Transition if They want you to know they'll tell you?

Mind Body Alignment also lies on a spectrum

Gender Expression Is how People choose to Show Their gender to the outside World

This Refers to the Ways in which

We each Manifest a masculinity or Femininity it is Usually an Extension of gender Identity?

Each of Us Expresses a particular gender Every day the Clothes, We wear how, We style our Hair Or even the Way We stand.

Drag Kings and Queens Are People who Explore gender as an Art Form Their Cross Dressing is A form of gender Expression

But you Cannot Assume Anything about Their gender Identity or sexual Orientation based on how they choose to dress

Speaking of Sexual Orientation

That's our Last Spectrum and it Refers to whom you are attracted.

on One end we have Heterosexual Or Attraction to someone of The Opposite Gender

Opposingly There is homosexual Or Attraction to the Same Gender

In Between is bisexual Attraction to both Genders

Pansexuality is Attraction to all genders

Including Those That Lay Outside The Binary someone who is asexual Is not Attracted to any Gender

Attraction Can Be broken Down Even Further Into Both Romantic and sexual

One Is an emotional Attraction the other is Physical These Attractions do not always have to align

for example Someone Can be Panromantic,

Emotionally Attracted to all genders, but asexual, not Physically Attracted to any gender. There Are several other more Nuanced Prefixes

Demi, Skolio, Poly, to name A few. other genders Such as Third Gender and Two-Spirit

Also exist some of These IDentities Can be Confusing and Hard to Understand if You've Never Been Exposed to them before

But if A Person defines Themselves in A way that is new to you it is okay even

Important To Respectfully Ask What that Identity Means to them

These are Just A few of some Offensive and Hurtful terms that are used [to] describe some People in the lgbtq Community

These Terms are Mostly Old-Fashioned and are often Used out of ignorance rather Than Malice

However They Can all be Slurs used Maliciously on Purpose to hurt People's Feelings

But The biggest message you Should Take away from this Video is the importance of letting someone define Their Own Gender and Sexuality

Respect Their Pronouns

Respect Their Chosen Name

Respect Their Appearance and

Respect Their Choice in Partners

Share This Video on your Favorite social Media Platform and Spread the word. Use These new Vocab Words to define Yourself!

I am a gay cisgender Female

Who are you?