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    What Does Queer Mean Anyway - The Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary
    What Does Queer Mean Anyway - The Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary
    What Does Queer Mean Anyway - The Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary
    Ebook53 pages40 minutes

    What Does Queer Mean Anyway - The Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary

    By Chris Bartlett

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    About this ebook

    Recipient of three 2016 Rainbow Awards including "Best LGBT Book," " 1st Place: LGBT Non-Fiction and Poetry," and "1st Place: Bisexual, Transgender & LGBT Debut."

    In this clear and concise text, Chris Bartlett provides direct explanations for how to use and interpret vocabulary like "queer," "transgender," and "intersex." Writing to those who are unsure of how to talk about alternative sexualities and gender, the author uses case studies and historical examples to unpack this often misused and misunderstood vocabulary.

    For much of his life Chris felt unsure of how to politely address and to interact with people who place themselves outside of the traditionally encouraged heterosexual mold. This fear of appearing ignorant or rude led him to avoid interacting with some people and prevented him from sticking up for others when he should have. 

    The truth is that being uncomfortable and unsure around a new concept does not make anyone a bad person but when that mindset prevents one from being fair and equitable to others then there is a problem. After reading this Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ vocabulary you'll be confident enough to ask polite questions about gender and sexuality and informed enough to understand the answers.
     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIt's the Journey not the Destination Publishing
    Release dateDec 9, 2018
    ISBN9781386894315

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      What Does Queer Mean Anyway - The Quick and Dirty Guide to LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary - Chris Bartlett

      Introduction

      In the United States, 3.5% of adults formally identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and 0.3% are transgender. Intersex makes up 1.7%. This tells us that over 9 million Americans are officially under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella. However, this only accounts for those who have declared their sexuality or gender identity for public records and are publicly sure of their personal identity description. There are likely to be significantly more people who would identify as LGBTQIA+ if it weren't for social, religious, or cultural factors discouraging them. Not only that, but as both sexuality and gender belong on a spectrum rather than in separate boxes and categories, there are many people who may fall somewhere in the gray zone between identities. For example, 8% of Americans state that they have experienced a same-sex intimate encounter, and 11% acknowledge some sort of same sex attraction, but that does not necessarily mean these people are categorized as gay or bisexual (Gates 2011). When it comes to gender, increasing numbers of people are identifying as gender neutral, nonbinary, or two-spirit, with modern culture presenting us with a rainbow tapestry of terminology and descriptions.

      The worldwide figures on LGBTQIA+ populations are not possible to measure. As of 2016, 77 countries still uphold laws that make much of what the LGBTQIA+ acronym signifies illegal and punishable. Many billions of people are also committed to religions that traditionally condemn behaviors that are natural and healthy to those who identify one way or another under this umbrella acronym. It is unlikely that correct data about LGBTQIA+ representation can be collected from such demographics. Regardless of these impediments, however, the global movement for recognition is marching forward and it is important that the surrounding issues be understood.

      The purpose of this e-book is to simplify complicated and ever-evolving concepts of gender identities and sexual orientations. It includes personal case studies which attempt to outline the deeply intricate issues that arise from belonging to a sexual or gender minority, as well as larger societal implications and interactions. The book also aims to eliminate myths and stereotypes, with a focus on factual information and unpacking common terms and phrases used in everyday conversation when talking about gender and sexuality. Whether you are close with a member of the LGBTQIA+ community or not, this book should shed light on a wide range of topics.

      As a final note, remember that the terms used in this book are not static. Some words that were acceptable in 2000 are now considered distasteful, and other words that were originally meant to be discriminatory have been reclaimed by members of the LGBTQIA+ community who use them with pride. The best way to find out how someone identifies is to respectfully ask them — and, of course, honor their wishes.

      Chapter 1 – What Is LGBTQIA+?

      Most readers have probably heard or seen the acronym LGBT and are aware it stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (although they may mistakenly believe the T is for Transexual, a word that is considered offensive). The Q, I, and A additions are less familiar to mainstream audiences, but they will be explained below. Some variation of the acronym is used in everyday language and appears regularly in mainstream media, workplaces, and public literature. Regardless of the form, it is used to collectively describe communities of people whose sexual identity differs from the historically accepted heterosexual

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