- Lesbian
- Gay
- Bisexual
- Transgender
- Queer
- Questioning
- Intersex
- Asexual
- (Ally)*
- Pansexual/omnisexual
Please note for "Ally", it's in paranthesis for a reason because it's considered controversial. Queer theory has long established this string as one of the longest (if not the longest) string of letters to the LGBT shorthand.
There have been numerous alternatives proposed over the years. They all vary in popularity. Some of these include: SAGA (sexuality and gender acceptance), MOGAI (Marginalized Orientations, Gender identities), GSM (gender sexuality minority), DGS (diverse gender sexualities), GSD (gender and sexual diversity), and GLOW (gay, lesbian, or whatever).
All of these terms have various origin stories (mostly stemming from some kind of social media usage like Tumblr or Reddit) and different flags to represent them. Some include the idea of fetishists and BDSM practioners, others do not. Some have gotten controversy over the years due to the misbelief that some of them are open to people or objects that can not consent.
It is ultimately up to the individual to decide what term they feel most comfortable with attempting to describe the complex experience that is human sexuality.
I know this an old post, but I have only just stumbled across your blog ...
ReplyDeletePersonally, I have always stuck with Gender, Romantic, and Sexual Minorities (GRSM), since, as you very well know, there is a huge raft of romantic orientations that does not also neatly fall under sexualities --- if at all.
In addition, the current LGBTQ + intialization is constantly expanding; the current one also includes 2S --- as in Two Sprit, that is recognized amongst the Native Americans/First Peoples tribes of North America (inclusive of Canada and the US). Thus, the tricky thing is keeping a constant track on the every expanding initialization.
For my part, the reason why I choose to stick with GRSM is because, sadly, there is a 'however ...'. That 'however' is not because the current entire initialization is 'unwieldy', but what concerns me, is that it was become both confusing to those not part of the community, but also a subject of mockery. This is seen, at least on one level, when people, outside the community, expresses --- displeasure --- at not just the length, but why every 'miniority' has to 'have their own initial in there, to enable some kind of self-validation', a sentiment which I have run into before, just not exactly in those precise words (I rather not say exactly what I heard ... suffice to say, it was way less than flattering).
I know in the --- especially current --- poltical climate we are in, there are bigger issues, but, perhaps, maybe it's just me, but gradually replacing what is often described, again either sarcastically or not, it's hard to tell, as the 'alphabet soup', with something less contentious, such as GRSM, which does cover virtually everyone currently under the LGBTQ+, that is one less distraction, which has a disproportionate sway in things, at the moment ... and thus, may very well enable a refocus towards the way more pressing issues at hand ...