Also, I just want to answer in the seriousness that is due to variations on LGBT: EVERYSPECIALSNOWFLAKEMUSTBECOUNTED.
I once saw it as LGBTQQIAAP+ which I though was just silly. It stands for: lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans* umbrella, queer, questioning, intersex, assexual, allies and pansexual and then everyone else who thinks they should be included. I think GSM would be best as it includes everyone with only 3 letters
I like queer too. We're all fruits here. Although That's a lot less intimidating to people who still had a lot of phobia demons to work out. I'm still new enough to remember how hard it was to cross to this side of the rainbow. Euphemisms are silly but they work.
I know we want to include everyone, but it's difficult. I think that when I first came out, it was LGBT. Now, it's LGBTQ....if we include everyone, it might end up being LQBTQIAGYEPUNFTYRHDNCHFFYRTD. I know it's tough for some, but there is a reason we keep it simple. Especially in terms of dealing with our "haters!" Do you honestly believe that we can explain asexual or pansexual to someone who thinks the world is flat and Obama is the anti Christ?
An asexual girl explained the concept of romantic attraction without sexual attraction the way she viewed it to me for an hour and l could only get the understanding of a best friend too. lf not that occassional purely platonic crush you get fuzzy feelings for but would NEVER act on because they can be on the strangest people, seriously not sexual or truly romantic attraction for me though lol. l think even attempting to view it as romantic would ruin it.
I don't really like anything that encourages the tendency people have to view minority orientations as merely sexual rather than relational. Which I feel that does.
I like LGBTQIA+ It doesn't include everything but the + indicates there's more ---------- Post added 22nd Mar 2013 at 06:31 PM ---------- What about straight Trans* people?
Coming from a place where First Nations peoples are more active as citizens, Two-Spirit is also left out. I also read in the news that some psychologists are suggesting the use of GSD (Gender and Sexually Diverse) as a substitute for LGBT.
I don't like the word "queer" either, mostly because I've heard people use it as a slur. If someone wants to identify as that, they have every right to, but I don't think we should use it for such a diverse community. I like the gender and sexually diverse (GSD) idea, personally.
Amen, brother. We get to a point where everyone feels persecuted or left out because their particular subset isn't special enough. This sort of discussion really starts to get sort of narcissistic, I think. I know a lot of people, particularly younger people, like "queer" or "queer community", but to me (and I know it's generational), I actually find "queer" more offensive than "fag"; it's not a word I ever use and given a choice between being "a bundle of sticks" (faggot) or (thanks, Dictionary.com) I'll chose faggot, thanks. But seriously... "the gay community" or "the lambda community" or "those of us who are *fabulous*" or something, even "the queer community" is better than LGBTDHWSNENAKBQQIZNB or whatever.
I find the letters jarring, from a grammatical or perhaps even poetic point of view. It just makes it hard to argue or discuss the issues elegantly.
I actually quite like GSD. It's simple and not too complex. Also, you don't have to explain it too much. It includes everything I can think of... if not, tell me.
Why do we even need an acronym? Am I literally the only person who see's no point in this. I don't see why we need to have such a generalised label, we're all individuals and we're all human. Acronyms are for medical conditions...or organisations, not people. Then again, I'd rather use the acronym than the word queer. Queer, I am not.
I reaaaally dislike GSM... It erases asexuals, and it sounds so... Clinical. And I love the word queer but it's also a political stance. QUILTBAG is good but it still doesn't include everyone. LGBTQIA+?