LGBTQIA+: It’s more than an alphabet

July 24, 2023

Cambridge

HR and recruitment
Member News

June might be over, and along with it the colourful event that was Pride month, but the LGBTQIA+ community exists all year round. Here’s what you need to know to move beyond the flags, food, and fun, to start thinking more inclusively every month of the year…

What does LGBTQIA+ mean:

I know, it’s a bit of a mouthful, and it can seem like letters are being added all the time. But I promise you that practicing saying it properly and including all the letters is important. Each letter is representative of a part of the community, and being a good ally is recognising that everyone is important and valid.

L = Lesbian

Women who are attracted to other women might commonly use Lesbian to describe their sexuality. Although some women prefer to use other terms such as Queer or Gay too.

G = Gay

I went through high school in the 90’s, so I feel it when I say this term has previously been weaponised as a slur! However, it has joyously been re-appropriated by the community to mean a men or women who are attracted to people of the same gender. It’s also used by many members of the LGBTQIA+ community more generally as an umbrella term.

B = Bisexual

Bisexual people are attracted to more than one gender identity, and the level and type of attraction will be individual to each person.

T = Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the one assigned to their physical sex. Because gender is different to sexuality, transgender people can be straight, gay, bisexual, or of any other sexual orientation. Some people may prefer the abbreviation trans, and although there are other terms which have been historically used to describe this identity, many are now seen as slurs by the trans community. So, unless you know an individual is comfortable with an alternative term, I recommend always using the terms transgender or trans.

Q = Queer/Questioning

Again, Queer is another term that has long been used as a slur against the LGBTQIA+ community, that is being reclaimed and re-appropriated positively. However, there are still members of the community that may not appreciate the term because of its link with negative connotations. Personally, I’m fine with it, but I know many who aren’t – so always check in with people you’re in conversation with as to what they are or are not comfortable with and respect their wishes.

Questioning is the act of figuring out what your gender, sexual orientation, romantic orientation, or any aspect of your identity is, by investigating, educating, and exploring it.

I = Intersex

Intersex refers to a group of medical conditions in which a person is born with chromosomes, genitalia, and/or secondary sexual characteristics that contradict the traditional definition of a male or female body. Individuals are not always aware of their condition, but it is an identity that some choose to share. It’s estimated that nearly 2% of people are intersex, which is the same number as people with red hair!

A = Asexual/Aromantic

Welcome to my letter in the LGBTQIA+ alphabet. People like me, who identify as asexual (or ace), experience little or no sexual attraction. And as we’re starting to learn, asexuality is also a spectrum. A grey-asexual (grey ace/grey-a) person may experience sexual attraction very rarely or only under specific circumstances. Demisexual people are more likely to experience sexual attraction to a person after developing a strong emotional connection with them.

Some people may also identify as aromantic, which means they also don’t experience romantic feelings towards others, and a grey-romantic person only does very rarely. Like demisexual, demiromantic people are only romantically attracted to those they’ve emotionally bonded with first.

+ = Representing all other groups who do not identify with the above, such as:

agender– refers to those who do not identify as any gender at all
genderfluid– describes one’s gender identity as self-expression and not static
non-binary/genderqueer – a term used for those who do not conform to binary gender identities
pansexual – a term for individuals with desire for all genders and sexes
polyamorous– a term for those open to multiple consensual romantic or sexual relationships at one time
two-spirit– a term used by Indigenous Americans to describe a third gender (sometimes included as 2S in the main acronym as LGBTQIA2S+)

So, repeat after me…

L, G, B, T, Q, I, A, plus

Simple!

Want a few quick tips to create inclusive workplaces for LGBTQIA+ people… Y’welcome!

review employee documents for gender neutral language and application, especially family leave policies.
create, promote and invest in LGBTQIA+ networks and community
listen to the LGBTQIA+ people within your orgs
educate staff on the topics of gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, and the impact of assumptions
review employee benefits through an LGBTQIA+ lens, including private medical options and availability, and ethical pension investment funds.
pay attention to the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ people and offer mental health support, vocal public support, financial donation support.
Think about the countries you operate in (if you’re international) that you ask your staff to travel to. Are you putting LGBTQIA+ staff at risk? Check out this article on safe travel published by Out Traveller.

Not only can you now confidently say “LGBTQIA+” without fuss or fear, but you can also help educate others as to why it’s important to recognise and represent the community as a whole. Aren’t you just flippin’ awesome!!

Now take that confidence and share the love – it is Pride after all…

A special note just for LGBTQIA+ folks…

If you’re having a tough time with your own gender identity or sexuality, there is lots of help and support out there for you – you are not alone. I am always available to anyone who needs a friend in this community, and there are more links below for you to access too. You are special and you are loved.

Stonewall Help and Advice https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice

Switchboard, the LGBT+ helpline https://switchboard.lgbt/

Mind, LGBTQ+ specific support https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/lgbtiqplus-mental-health/useful-contacts/

The BeYou Project https://thebeyouproject.co.uk/resources/