The director of Ohio Univeristy's LGBT Center talks about queer and transgender identities as well as the popular acronym.
Below are responses on questions related to identity. You asked, we answered.
What do the ‘I’ and the ‘A’ in LGBTQIA stand for?
The “I” stands for intersex and “A” stands for asexual and aromantic (and sometimes ally). An intersex person is born with sexual anatomy, reproductive organs and/or chromosome patterns that do not fit the typical definition of male or female. This may be apparent at birth or become so later in life. An intersex person may identify as male or female or as neither. Intersex folks can also identify as transgender (such as genderqueer, gender fluid or gender non-conforming). Intersex status is not about sexual orientation or gender identity: According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, “intersex people experience the same range of sexual orientations and gender identities as non-intersex people.”
Asexual is a sexual orientation, usually described as a lack of sexual attraction to anyone of any gender. Also on the asexual spectrum are demi-sexuality and grey-sexuality. Grey-sexual refers to people who generally do not experience sexual attraction but sometimes do. Demi-sexual refers to people who only experience sexual attraction after forming a meaningful emotional bond, including friendly and romantic bonds. Aromantic is a romantic orientation, usually described as a lack of romantic attraction to anyone of any gender. Also on the aromantic spectrum are grey-romantic and demi-romantic. Demi-romantic people only experience romantic attraction after already forming a strong emotional bond, usually friendship. Grey-romantic people generally do not experience romantic attraction, but sometimes do.
An ally is someone who advocates for the rights and needs of communities they are not directly a part of. Allies use their privilege in a transformative matter, fighting for the well-being of minority groups to be recognized, affirmed and respected. Often times the ally conversation focuses on individuals outside of the LGBTQIA community; however, more and more we are expanding the allyship conversation to focus on dynamics within our own communities. Some of the worst things said about queer people have been said by other queer people. There is a need for ally-ship within and beyond LGBTQIA communities — recognizing that all of us have privilege in some way and can use our voices to raise up the experiences and needs of others whose voices are not heard or that are silenced.
How many different identifiers are there?
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There are thousands! It would be difficult and tedious — if not impossible — to compile a comprehensive list of queer and transgender identities in the United States, let alone identities throughout the world. Something to keep in mind is that how conversations on sexuality and gender happen in the United States may not necessarily be how individuals and communities in other countries have these conversations. When it comes to being in solidarity with LGBTQIA communities, no one is obligated or expected to know them all. Learning basic language and terminology to engage with queer and transgender people and a willingness to listen and respect individual people’s identities is all you need. Lastly, our understanding of sexuality and gender evolves over time; some of the words we use today will be out of date tomorrow and other words will be re-defined or understood differently. Contact the LGBT Center anytime with questions regarding sexual and gender identities.
delfin bautista is the Director of the LGBT Center at Ohio University. Do you have a question relating to the LGBT community? Email them to lgbt@ohio.edu, email them to oulgbtcenter@gmail.com, tweet @oulgbtcenter with #qaqueer, or post on the center’s Facebook page, oulgbtcenter (you can also private message).
