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.