LGBTQIA+

The LGBTQIA+ section of The Body Optimist covers sexual orientation, gender identity and the lived experiences of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex and asexual people. Its explainers, first-person stories and practical advice aim to inform without clichés, support LGBTQIA+ people and help the people who love them understand.

What you’ll find in the LGBTQIA+ section

• Vocabulary: cisgender, nonbinary, intersex, pansexual, asexual: the key terms and what they actually mean.
• Sexual orientations: bisexuality, pansexuality, lesbian identity and asexuality, and the clichés still attached to them, like the supposed “gaydar”.
• Trans and nonbinary identities: personal journeys, pronouns, misconceptions and tips for supporting a loved one, along with stories like that of Tracey Norman, a Black trans model who became a symbol.
• Coming out and social life: sharing your orientation or identity, dealing with being outed, finding your place at work and in your family.
• Fighting homophobia and transphobia: everyday prejudice, online harassment and the rights that protect you, including why social media has become a major front.

What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?

LGBTQIA+ refers to people whose sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics don’t fit heterosexual, cisgender and binary norms. Each letter has a specific meaning:

• L, G and B stand for lesbian, gay and bisexual: these are sexual orientations.
• T stands for trans: people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
• Q stands for queer, a term embraced by people who reject labels, and sometimes for “questioning.”
• I stands for intersex: people born with sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female.
• A stands for asexual and aromantic: people who experience little or no sexual or romantic attraction.
• The “+” includes other identities, such as pansexual or nonbinary people.

How can you support someone who comes out?

Supporting someone who comes out starts with honoring the trust they’ve placed in you, without downplaying it or making it a drama:

• Listen, thank them and ask what they need rather than assuming.
• Avoid intrusive questions about their sex life, their body or any medical steps.
• Use the name and pronouns they have chosen, and if you slip up, simply correct yourself.
• Never share the information without their consent: being outed can expose someone to violence.
• Educate yourself so they don’t have to do all the explaining.

In one of our articles, an American ski champion explains why coming out mattered to her.

Our approach: informing with respect

We talk about LGBTQIA+ people using the words they use to describe themselves, respecting their chosen names and pronouns, and we put their own stories ahead of debates held without them. In keeping with our body-positive outlook, we also remind readers that self-acceptance includes trans, intersex and gender-nonconforming bodies.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Sexual orientation describes who you are sexually or romantically attracted to: people of the same gender, a different gender, several genders or no one. Gender identity describes the gender a person feels they belong to. The two are independent: a trans woman can be straight, lesbian or bisexual.

What does “cisgender” mean?

A cisgender person is someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. Formed as the counterpart to “transgender,” the term names the majority experience without making it the unspoken norm. It isn’t an insult, simply a descriptive word.

Are homophobia and transphobia illegal?

It depends on the country. Many countries prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, and a growing number also protect gender identity; some treat anti-LGBTQIA+ bias as an aggravating factor in crimes. Elsewhere, same-sex relationships are still criminalized. Check the laws where you live, and report online hate to the platform and to the authorities in your country.

Want to go further? Explore all our Society topics, our Feminism and Fatphobia sections, and our Culture section for movies, shows and books that reflect the diversity of identities.