What does LGBT+ mean?

​

LGBT means Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. Sometimes this abreviation is longer and sometimes a plus is added. The reason for that is, that this is a very inclusive and large community that welcomes those with the same or very similar challenges. So within the "+" you can find additional communities such as Intersex people, Asexuals, Pansexuals, and anybody else who identifies as queer. 

​

What does Transgender mean?

Transgender means that a person does not identify with the gender that was assigned to them at birth. So when the doctor looked at them at birth and marked of "male" or "female" for the baby, this was the gender assigned to them at birth. However, some people grow up and internally do not identify with the gender that was assigned to them. These people are transgender.

​

Some facts and figures:

 

• About 1%-2% of the population identify as transgender (studies vary).

• 43%-77% of young LGBT+ people are self-harming or have self-harmed in the past.
  Bisexual and transgender people are more likely to selfharm than intersex, lebsian, and gay people.

• 50%-70% of young LGBT+ people have serious thoughts of thoughts of ending their own lives.
  Intersex, transgender, and bisexual people are more likely to consider suicide than lesbian and gay people.

• 21% of LGBT+ people attempt suicide at some point in their life.
  Transgender and intersex people are most likely to attempt suicide than lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.

• 1 in 3 LGBT+ people is being threatned with physical violence.

• 1 in 5 LGBT+ people is being physically attacked in public.
  1 in 4 transgender and intersex people are being physically attacked in public.

• 1 in 5 transgender people experience sexual violence.

• ~60% of transgender people are being misgendered at some point or continually.

• 60% of trasngender people do not feel safe expressing their gender identity in public.

​

Source for stats (PDF).

 

Respect & Acceptance:

By the stats above you can probably understand how important respect and acceptance is to the mental health, physical safety, and survival of transgender people.

​

By "respect", we never mean that you have to agree with everything we do or say. We mean the very basic respect you give to every person you pass on the street. This basic respect includes but is not limited to:

• Let trans people use public services savely (shops, restaurants, hair salons, public transport, bathrooms,...)

• Let trans people use health services savely (educated doctors, professional language, suitable medications...)

• Keep judgements to yourself (about looks, about identity, about expression, about mannerisms, ....)

​

By "acceptance" we mean the result of the above basic respect. 

• Acknowledge that transgender people exist.

• Acknowledge that transgender people have the same needs as every other human.

• Acksnowledge that your experiences differ from those of transgender people.

​

Pronouns & Names:

Part of being respectful in the most basic way is to use the person's correct pronouns and name. And correct is what this person has communicated to you. This communication can come in different ways and is not always verbal. Here are a few examples to give you an idea:

• A name tag on your server's vest.

• A pronoun pin on your student's shirt.

• Pronouns stated in a Zoom name or email signature.

• A note that has been slipped to you by that person.

• A text that was sent to you by that person.

​

Now this is just a list to show you some ways, in which pronouns may be communicated. Keep in mind, nobody expects you to actively check everything for name and pronouns. However, if you do notice them, use them. A person's self inditification trumps your perception of them.

​

This is so important because people's names and pronouns are a very integral part of their identity. This applies to all people, not only transgender people. Think how you would feel if you were consistantly called by the wrong name or pronouns. And for transgender people, it is a heightened feeling because transgender people face so many struggles and aggressions daily that this is adding on a very fundamental level and contributes strongly to mental health struggles. At some point it would annoy even the most stoic people. So try your best to use the names and pronouns that are communicated to you.

​

Of course people can slip up or forget sometimes and that is ok. Transgender people know that. Transgender people also know the difference between an honest mistake and purpuseful misgendering. If you are being corrected, apologise, use the name/pronoun you were told, and move on.

​

If you are unsure about somebody's pronouns, ask them. It's better to ask than to guess incorrectly. Keep in mind, as in many other situations: "Assume makes an ass out of u and me".