LGBTQ+ Awareness

A Reminder to the community and educating Allies

Greetings Comrades! For weeks I have been hinting that I would answer some questions regarding my position on LGBTQIA+ issues. I have also seen a lot of division within our own. The division is never talked about because in the eyes of society we are supposed to be talked about when it serves as a convenience. Another thing that has been detrimental is performative ally’s. Performative ally’s simply acknowledge us but do not take any action to help protect us. Performative ally’s I would argue is what has caused the most harm to our community. A lot of performative ally’s lack not only competency but common sense. The divide we experience as a community involves gatekeeping and fear.

The thing that makes me proud to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ is that unique factor and we are in a sense outside of the “norm”. One could argue that is what bonds us together. I do believe that this concept is what makes us amazing however what should truly be the bonding and unifying factor is oppression. Society has become dangerous for us. The fact most feel compelled to stay silent because of fear is unacceptable. Another reason I decided to write an article about this is because of the fact transphobia has grown significantly. Ally’s need to understand how far the LGBTQIA+ has come and members of our community need to remind themselves of their roots.

LGBTQIA+ Acronym (Orientation)

Lets start with the basics! Asexual also known as Ace, people who identify this as their sexual orientation experience little to no or conditional sexual attraction to others. Bisexual is being emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to one or more gender. There is a debate within our own regarding the differences between bisexuality and pansexuality. My orientation is pansexual. Pansexual is similar to bisexual except the difference is that pansexuality does not acknowledge the gender binary. Lesbian is a term to describe women being emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women. The term Gay has the same meaning as lesbian except it involves men. I do want to note that the term Gay is something that each gender uses. Queer was once utilized as a slur however, as time grew the term Queer was not defined by slur. Everyone who identifies as Queer has their own meaning and perspectives. I would encourage you all to ask anyone who identifies as queer and ask what it means to them.

LGBTQIA+ Acronym (Gender)

Most of you are aware, but for those who are not aware, I often have used the term cis people. Cisgender people are those who identify with their assigned gender at birth. Genderfluid refers to change over time in an individual gender expression or identity. Both identity and expression could change together but sometimes people express their identity but not express it vice versa. Intersex is when an individual is born with reproductive organs or sexual anatomy that does not fit in the boxes of female or male. Non-binary refers to not identifying with any gender. Transgender is something I would also ask people individually. In general, it means that you were born in the wrong body. Two-spirit refers to an individual who identifies as having both a masculine and feminine spirit. Two-spirit is often used by indigenous people to describe their gender, sexual, and spiritual identity. Even though some of these terms are straight forward, still be mindful.

The Reality

In 2020, more than 1 in 3 Americans who identified themselves as part of the LGBTQIA+ experienced discrimination in the past year. However, people who identify as transgender the rates have been an all time high. 36% of people who identified themselves as part of the LGBTQIA+ experienced discrimination or mistreatment in the past year. The trans community however, 62% reported that they experienced discrimination and mistreatment. I also want to add the stats I found were in 2020 and did not give a specific breakdown in terms of diversity. The most recent survey to check out is transequality.org. However, the last survey was done in 2015 and I am aware they may do another survey this year. Here is a complete breakdown,

Race: Black 33%, Hispanic 46%, White 31%

Gender: Women 38% and Men 29%

Non Binary/genderqueer/agender/gender non-conforming: 69%

Generations: Z 57%, Millennials 42%, X 30%, boomers 19%

People who have a disability: 45%

People who don’t have a disability: 33%

Public Spaces, school and the workplace discrimination found that 50% of people who are in the LGBTQIA+ particularly the trans community experienced discrimination in public spaces. Examples of public spaces are the store, restroom, or public transportation. 36% of trans people experienced discrimination in the work place, 21% had experienced discrimination at school, 20% in apartment complexes, 15% with law enforcement, and 14% stated they experienced discrimination somewhere else.

By generation 46% of Gen Z experiences discrimination at school and 41% experience discrimination in public spaces. 56% of trans people reported that discrimination had a moderate or a significant impact on the school environment. 37% of trans people experienced discrimination in terms of buying a home. 28% of members of the LGBQ experienced challenges in getting a home. 51% experienced discrimination in terms of getting ID documents.

In terms of well-being 52% of people in the LGBTQIA+ stated their psychological well-being has been affected. 36% of people stated that their spiritual well-being was affected by discrimination. 32% stated their physical well-being was affected. Trans people 66% of people stated the effects of discrimination has affected their psychological well-being, 46% stated discrimination has affected them physically, and 47% stated this affected their spiritual well-being. When it comes to black Americans, 77% stated experiencing discrimination has affected them psychologically and 65% stated discrimination has affected them physically.

In terms of jobs, 29% of members in the LGBTQIA+ who were not able to get a job simply because of who they are, has affected their financial well-being significantly. 37% of black people stated that not being able to get job based on who they are has impacted them significantly. 54% of trans people stated that because of discrimination it has financially impacted them significantly. 31% of the LGBTQIA+ stated they were denied a promotion and a raise. Trans people: 53% stated they were not able to get hired, 47% had challenges retaining employment. In terms of race: 51% of black Americans stated they were not able to get hired. 33% of white people stated they were not able to get hired. 41% of black Americans stated that they had challenges retaining employment and only 31% of white people experienced challenges. In terms of Income: 47% are earning less than $25K a year and 26% are earning more than a $100K a year.

Hiding relationships because of fear of discrimination: 54% of people hid there relationship, 52% of trans people hid theirs, 51% people of various diversities hid theirs. In terms of making decisions about where to work, 35% made those decisions, 58% of trans people made their own decisions and 37% people of various diversities made those decisions. In terms of changing aspects of who we are: 35% people changed their mannerisms and the way they dressed, 66% of the trans community conformed to society standards, and 34% of people of color stated they had to change themselves in order to avoid discrimination.

In terms of avoiding public places, overall 33% stated they avoid going to public places, 55% of trans people avoid public places, and 36% of people who are a different race/ethnicity avoided public places. In terms of family: 32% overall stated they moved away from their families, 47% of trans people moved away, and 33% of people of color moved away. Avoiding law enforcement: 30% overall avoid cops, 50% of trans people avoid cops, and 34% of people of color avoid cops. Avoiding Doctors offices: 20% overall avoided the Dr., 47% of trans people avoided the doctor, and 21% of people of color avoided the doctor. Avoided getting services for self/family: 19% overall avoided services, 39% of trans people avoided services, and 21% of people of color avoided services.

In terms of sexual orientation: 65% changed their “behavior” to avoid discrimination. 3% of immigrants, 6% who were born in America and 18% who have a disability had to conform to norms. We must remember that is what makes the LGBTQIA+ unique is the fact we do not conform to societal norms. In terms of healthcare: 29% of people had to postpone care for themselves because they couldn’t afford it, 1/4 of LGBTQIA+ population avoided preventative services. When it comes to trans people 51% avoided healthcare because they could not afford it and 40% avoided preventative care because of cost. When it comes to discrimination in health care: 15% of members in the LGBTQIA+ avoided seeing a doctor because of discrimination they have experienced. 28% of the trans community avoided the doctor due to discrimination. 16% avoided preventative care and 40% of trans people avoided preventative care because of discrimination. The types of mistreatment the LGBTQIA+ experiences are as followed: 14% experienced feeling uneasy because how doctors or providers saw them, 8% experienced verbal abuse from providers and intentionally refusing to recognize family members, and 7% of people experienced unwanted contact from a provider.

Trans People and Health care: 33% of trans people find themselves educating the doctor/provider, 38% reported that providers were visibly uncomfortable, 25% of providers refuse to assist in the transitioning process. 32% of trans people are purposely misgendered. 19% of trans people experienced verbal abuse from their providers, 20% reported that doctors had been physically rough with them, 18% of doctors refuse to see them because they were trans. When it comes to trans people of various diversities: 28% of people stated that their provider refused to see them because they were trans, 29% reported verbal abuse, 34% refused to provide any care in terms of transitioning, 38% experienced physical abuse, and 46% stated that providers intentionally misgendered them. Trans People/Health Insurance Co.: 43% of trans people were denied surgeries needed to transition. 38% of people were denied HRT and people of various diversities (52%) were denied HRT.

COVID and Mental Health

Feeling nervous or Anxious everyday: 17% total, 15% of trans people, people of color 16%, 23% Hispanics, 17% are working, 18% are not working, and 9% retired.

Feeling down or depressed everyday: 14% overall, 17% of trans people, 14% of people of color, 16% Hispanics, 15% are working and 15% are also not working, and 5% are retired.

Sleeping Challenges that occur everyday: 14% overall, 18% of trans people, 14% of people of color, 16% Hispanics, 15% are working, 16% are not working, and 6% are retired.

Little interest in doing things that are experienced daily: 12% overall, 17% of trans people, 12% are people of color, 14% Hispanics, 12% are working, 14% are not working, and 3% are retired.

MSM would like you all to think that the LGBTQIA+ has not been suffering. They will only show you the stats that make everything appear better when it isn’t. All these aspects of mental health are important even if the numbers appear small.

Sexual Assault

LGBTQIA+ Stats: 44% of lesbians and 61% of bisexuals experience rape, physical violence, or being stalked. 35% of hetero women experience this. 26% of gay men and 37% of bisexual men experience rape, physical violence, and being stalked. 29% of hetero men have experienced this. 47% of trans people have experience a form of sexual assault. 65% of American Indians, 59% multiracial, 58% middle eastern, and 53% of black Americans have been sexually assaulted. 20% of members in the LGBTQIA+ have experienced sexual assault in our prison system. 17% of members in the LGBTQIA+ have been sexually assaulted in homeless shelters.

Trans Youth

Trans youth have been a target and it has intensified. The hot issue is sports. First of all I will say this for the record trans people are not trying to erase women. Despite what TERFs say that is not it. People often forget that we are all unique beings there isn’t an overall generalization on how we are made. I remember pre-transitioning, I was built like a man, I was also producing more testosterone because I had PCOS, and peers have told me that I perform like a man. Even though I have fully transitioned it just made my body stronger. Let me challenge the TERFs who may read this article by oppressing trans people do you realize your doing more harm to your cause? I even hate the label of being called a trans person because it just adds to the stigma. It basically acknowledges that we are different but in a sense we are not seen as human. We have acknowledged that women have experienced oppression as well and we still stand in solidarity but basically being an entitled Karen is not going to achieve any victories. In fact, it may encourage society to oppress women more. No one wants that to happen but we need to have a conversation about this. When it comes to trans sports by denying trans youth in particular, you are basically telling them that they suck and they don’t matter. There is no middle ground in terms of this issue and anyone who suggests there is, is wrong. Women are women, men are men simple as that. Stop focusing on the anatomy that’s not important. Our genetic makeup is unique and y’all need to recognize that.

Trans youth constantly get bullied by our education system. Many trans youth have taken their lives or even thought about it because of what they face at school and society. When it comes to my kid she actually told me she was ashamed to be trans because she felt like she couldn’t be herself because of all the TERF hate she receives. Parents who have trans children remind your child that they matter, let them know they don’t need to conform to society standards, and more importantly let them know they are not alone and there are many people fighting along side with them. My child is still proceeding with transitioning by the way.

Phobia

Before I go into depth with this topic, cis people you will never know what it is like to be trans so please stop misusing the word transphobic. My trans siblings stop using this term simply because someone disagrees with you. By engaging in this type of behavior you are making things worse for us. You are playing into the stigma of the trans community. We are seen as mentally unwell, stalkers, harassers, and pedos. Everyone sees transphobia differently. Phobia of course means fear but for me it goes deeper than that. People who refuse to learn about us, people who are clearly aware of us but use us as a pawn, and flat out bigots for me is what I would define as transphobia.

Allys

To be an authentic ally to us is by sitting down and listening. Sit and listen to someone who is in the LGBTQIA+ don’t listen to MSM. I always say reading books is helpful but to gain true competency is by talking to others. Stop acting like you know everything about us when you haven’t truly learned. Simply acknowledge you will never understand is acceptable to me. Do not turn people away. 95% of the time that I experienced transphobia is because the person who would be that way, was not educated. I found that by simply taking the time and having a constructive conversation can change a lot.

Conclusion

The planet is dying, more and more people are getting kicked out of their homes, capitalism has intensified in terms of destroying physical and mental health, racism and transphobia have intensified, and people are losing their lives way too soon. My LGBTQIA+ family I know we will have differences but we must come together. We can agree to disagree on things however the danger is very real and it’s time to stop with the bickering. We are all unique and that’s what makes living worth its while in my opinion. I love you all and please take care of yourselves ❤️🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈