LGBTQ

Understanding LGBTQ

In short, LGBTQ is an umbrella term for various groups of people based on their sexual orientation and gender identities – among other things. LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. The term LGBT has been widely used since the 1980s. However, the Q was added from the late 1990s to include people that were questioning their sexual or gender identity in some way. When gay rights activists began their activities in the 1970s and 80s, the 'gay movement' was the most common term. However, as other groups began to get involved with it, this term seemed out-of-date and not inclusive enough, hence the adoption of LGBT and later LGBTQ. The movement celebrates diversity in gender and sexuality, often organising so-called pride events in major cities around the globe.

 Due to the cultural differences in countries around the world, there is no sure way of calculating the numbers of LGBTQ people globally. What may be considered gay in one culture may not in another, for example. Nevertheless, in a modern Western country, such as the United States, well over three per cent of the adult population would identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual with transgender people not included in that figure. Females are more likely to identify as bisexual than males in most Western societies.

Some people are critical of the term, especially insofar as the Q has been added to it in recent times. This is partly because queer used to be a term of abuse that homosexual people would be referred to by. As such, some people prefer to refer to it as Q for questioning rather than queer, and some prefer to drop the letter altogether. In some cases, the term LGBT+ is now in common usage to refer to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people and anyone else who wishes to identify in an unspecified manner within the group. To some, this is a more inclusive terminology, but LGBTQ still remains the most common.

The rainbow flag is often seen being flown at establishments such as pubs and restaurants which are open-minded about patronage from the LGBTQ community. It is also widely used during pride events. The flag represents the diverse nature of both sexual and gender identities so that it can be viewed as something of a spectrum. The rainbow flag was first adopted by members of the gay community in San Francisco, and it is now used all over the world.

Sexual activity, courtship behaviours, partnering and parenting, are all activities which have been observed in animals among same-sex couples. Both bisexual and homosexual behaviour has been spotted in large numbers of animal species including birds, mammals, reptiles and insects.