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Labels, acronyms, gender pronouns, and symbols

LGBT or LGBTQIAABAACG

The initials LGBT stand for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender or transsexual are intended to emphasise inclusion and diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. Or, to put it another way, anyone who is not straight (heterosexual). Updated from LGB, it is an established term for many when referring to the LGBT community.

Sometimes, the letter ‘Q’ is added for those who identify as queer or those questioning their sexuality. People also define themselves as intersex or asexual so we need to add an 'I' and an 'A'. This is perfectly understandable, though we run the risk of becoming LGBTQ, or is it LGBTQIA?

And what about our allies, should it then be LGBTQIAA? And how do we include those who define themselves as bigender, androgyne, agender, cisgender, and genderqueer?

Also, we should not forget that the LGBT community was devastated by the HIV and AIDS epidemic, and we still experience HIV stigma, even in the 21st century. So, while some see the plus sign at the end of LGBT+ as a symbol for further inclusion, others see it as support and acceptance for those living with HIV.

Whatever letters you choose to use, the evolution of LGBT with all its colours of the rainbow is perhaps simply a reflection of the millions of people that make up our multi-faceted community wanting, others demanding, inclusion. There’s no one fixed choice or single option, and that’s perhaps a good thing, as our community, and communities, grow and evolve.

Two-spirit and LGBT

Two-spirit (also two spirit, 2S or, occasionally, two-spirited) is a modern, pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who fulfil a traditional third-gender (or other gender-variant) ceremonial and social role in their cultures. "Two Spirit" was not intended to be interchangeable with "LGBT Native American" or "Gay Indian"; rather, it was created in English (and then translated into Ojibwe), to serve as a pan-Indian unifier, to be used for general audiences instead of the traditional terms in Indigenous languages for what are diverse, culturally-specific ceremonial and social roles, that can vary widely (if and when they exist at all). Opinions vary as to whether or not this objective has succeeded.

Two-spirit | Wikipedia

Is it LGBTQ+ or LGBTQIA? | Homo Culture | 26 Aug 2020
The LGBTQAlphabet | Equinox/ LGBT Community Center, NYC | 5 Jun 2017

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