What Does Lesbian Mean: Unveiling A Lesbian Relationship
There are now many terms that are being popularized to represent the experiences, sexual preferences, and emotions of queer people,...
LGBTQI+ What Does It Mean And Where Does Acronym Come From?
I’m sure that many of us are aware of LGBT, LGBTQ, or LGBTQI+. It seems that letters from the alphabet continue to be added to this umbrella term, and thus, there can be confusion regarding the term itself. Gender identity has never been an easy thing to grasp, as people get more than one gender, and thus, it’s time to rethink what this term can mean in real life.
Well, that acronym originated in the US, and it was used to describe the words like lesbian (L), gay (G), bisexual (B), transgender (T), queer (Q), and intersex (I). The last two terms, queer and intersex, were added later, so the first acronym was known as LGBT. But as I said, people get more diverse, and the term gets bigger.
If you’ve noticed, there’s a sign of +, and it means that a person has no sexual attraction to any gender identity. Interestingly, there are more terms that can be included in these letters of the acronym LGBTQI. Well, if you’re interested in getting more information about this, follow this article on sexual identity.
Defining the terms of sexual orientation and identity
First of all, it’s worth mentioning that there is a long list of interesting terms concerning sexual orientation and gender identity. If a person’s sex at birth is congruent with his or her gender experience and gender identity, then he or she can be considered cisgender.
However, it’s not always the case, and people can redefine their gender and orientation, and this is where things get more interesting. Every orientation and identity should be more precise in its description. So, forget heteronormativity, a term that there are only 2 genders.
Behind the terms of LGBTQI
As the language develops, there’s a need for subtle distinctions in sex characteristics, gender expression, and even more. So, it’s now beyond reproductive or sexual anatomy. We are diverse, and so are our sexual identities and orientations like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and so on.
Lesbian
The word comes from Lesbos, which is a Greek island where the Greek poet Sappho lived. He used this word to describe the love between women. Well, even the word sapphism was used to portray love between females. Although this love was once frowned upon or even considered a medical condition, now it’s used to describe the attraction of a female to another female.
Gay
Well, there’s an adjective gay that means happy or frivolous, depending on the context. Over time, its meaning underwent some kind of meaning shift. Nowadays, the word gay simply means homosexual man. The first use of this word dates back to the 60s when sexual orientations started being on the agenda.
Bisexual
This isn’t something that can be referred to as the third gender, but it’s something that combines the first two terms. The prefix bi in this word simply indicates both or 2. At some point in history, it was used to refer to 2 sets of sexual organs. But nowadays, it’s used to describe people who are attracted to people of more than one gender at the same degree or the same way.
Transgender
Unlike cisgender, transgender people don’t identify themselves with the gender they were assigned at birth. Thus, they prefer other gender identities, or some of them simply reject being attributed to binary genders. This term was developed in the 80s in the US.
Queer
The literal meaning of this word is bizarre or odd. It was once considered to be a homophobic term, but since the 80s, this has changed. It’s a collective word that can be used instead of LGBTQI and includes many genders, self-identifications, various romantic attraction preferences, and so on.
Intersex
Sex characteristics can undergo some changes leading to mutations and deviations in chromosomes, gonads, genitals, or sex hormones. People who have experienced such changes at birth are known to be intersex people. It has nothing to do with sexuality.
About the acronym itself
The distinct sexual identity concept doesn’t have a long history, although the practice of homosexual love has a long history. To some extent, people didn’t bother coming up with terms to describe sexuality and gender in detail, and it wasn’t until the 90s that the term LGBT was coined.
Later in 2000, there were additions to this acronym, and nowadays, we can see many different terms. We continue to develop better and more sophisticated language to describe our gender identities, sexual orientations, and so on.
FAQ
What is the i in lgbtqi?
The “I” in LGBTQI stands for “Intersex.” Intersex individuals are those who do not fit the typical definitions for male or female bodies. This may be due to chromosomal, hormonal, or physical variations. It’s important to note that being intersex relates to biological characteristics and is not about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, which are personal and internal.
What is the definition of lgbtqi+?
LGBTQI+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or Questioning), and Intersex. The “+” at the end is designed to ensure inclusion of all other communities associated with non-traditional sexual orientations and gender identities. This can include, but is not limited to, identities such as pansexual, asexual, genderqueer, and others. Here’s a breakdown:
Lesbian: A term used to describe women who are attracted to women.
Gay: A term used to describe people who are attracted to individuals of the same sex. It’s often used to refer to men who are attracted to men, but can also refer to women in some contexts.
Bisexual: A term used to describe individuals who are attracted to both men and women.
Transgender: This term is used to describe people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Queer: This is a broad term that can be used by anyone under the LGBTQI+ umbrella who does not feel that they fit into societal norms concerning gender and/or sexuality. It was historically used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by many within the community.
Questioning: This term is used for individuals who are unsure about or still exploring their own sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Intersex: This term is used to describe people who are born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
This acronym is used as an expression of unity, representation, and inclusivity for people who are not heterosexual and/or cisgender (those whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth). The terms and definitions can vary and evolve over time, and different communities or individuals may prefer different terms.
Final thoughts
Nowadays, we face many terms that were added recently, yet the practice can date back to many centuries ago. Language has become more sensitive when it comes to describing people with their unique gender identities, orientations, etc. But now, you know at least the basic ones.
