Key Questions and Information about LGBTQIA+
Knowledge is the best weapon against prejudice and discrimination. Vale stands behind this motto and keeps its policies, guides, and communication channels up to date not only with news but also with data and content that is relevant to our values. We recognize individual dif- ferences and we strive for a respectful environment where everyone can express their identity without fear of dis- crimination. This piece contains explanations about terms commonly used by the LGBTQIA+ community.
What does the LGBT acronym stand for?
LGBT is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (or Trans). Some use LGBTIA+ to include Intersex, Asexual and the + for other identities. The letter Q stands for “queer” – an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that are not heterosexual or cisgender.
Which acronym is the right one? In fact, there is no one “correct” version of this acronym. Because sexual and gender identities are in uenced by the changes in the world. These changes introduce new layers, nomenclatures, and categories.
You can nd many di erent acronyms:
LGBT LGBTI LGBTT LGBTI+ LGBTIA+ LGBTQIA+ LGBTQIAP+
Did You Know?
Despite LGBT rights developments over the past decades, 61% of Brazilian LGBT professionals still hide their sexual orientation at work for fear of discrimination, which is deeply rooted in Brazilian society.
LGBT people can be themselves
You cannot draw conclusions about someone’s personality, behavior or skills at work based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. And vice-versa. You should never assume that a gay man “is more sensitive” or “more suited to this or that task” because of his sexuality. Some feminine-presenting gay men are excellent engineers. Some masculine-presenting gay men are wonderful nurses or artists. Another common confusion is to assume that a woman is a lesbian just because she is rm. Women can have a rm, delicate, or masculine-seeming personality – and they can be lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual.
Difference makes all the Difference LGBTPEDIA Check out the di erent terms for gender and sexuality within the LGBT community.
Sexual Orientations
Homosexual: a person who is romantically and physically attracted to people of the same sex (gays and lesbians).
Heterosexual: a person who is romantically and physically attracted to people of the opposite sex.
Bisexual: those romantically and sexually attracted to both genders traditionally de ned by society.
Pansexual: a person who has a romantic and/or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity (pansexuality sometimes can be used as a synonym for bisexuality, but not everyone thinks that way—the key is to respect the term they prefer!)
Asexual: a person who experiences no sexual attraction to others (they may or may not experience romantic attraction).
Gender Identities
Transgender (Trans): a person whose gender identity di ers from the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, if a person is registered as a man, but over time starts to identify as a woman, that person’s gender identity is trans woman. A trans woman is always called she. If a person is registered as a woman, but over time starts to identify as a man, that person’s gender identity is trans man. A trans man is always called he.
Cisgender (Cis): The opposite of trans – A person whose gender identity and biological sex assigned at birth are the same. For example, if a person is assigned female at birth and identi es as a woman, she is a cis woman.
Cross-Dresser: A person who is registered as male at birth, but identi es with the female gender. Some cross-dressers identify as trans women, but not all of them. If a person is a self-proclaimed cross-dresser, their gender identity is cross-dresser. Cross-dressers are part of the trans community. Always use feminine pronouns when referring to them.
Non-binary: Those who do not identify as either male or female.
Homophobia, Lesbophobia e Biphobia: Dislike of or prejudice against gays, lesbians, and bisexuals
Transphobia: Dislike of or prejudice against trans people.
It is important to remember that sexual orientation and gender identity are two different things! A trans woman can be heterosexual (attracted to men) or homosexual (attracted to other women). A man who is attracted to trans women and cross-dressers is not gay, since trans women are women, and cross-dressers are on the female gender spectrum.
Biological Sex
Intersex: Intersex is a term for people whose combination of genital and/or chromosomal characteristics di ers from traditional de nitions of male or female (for example, being born with both genitalia or a combination of both reproductive systems). The UN estimates that up to 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits. However, many people are not aware of their intersex condition because they are typically subjected to "corrective" surgery during infancy.
Dyadic: people who are not intersex.
Still have questions?
It is common to have questions. Feel free to ask. But before asking someone, keep two things in mind:
Is your question biased? (E.g.: “who is the man in the relationship?”, “are you sure this is not a just phase?”, “do you really think you are a woman/man?”, etc)
Is your question invasive? (E.g.: “are you post-op?”, “are you a boy or a girl?”, “how do you have sex?”, etc)
Despite the visibility gained over the past few decades, LGBTIA+ people often feel scrutinized for being di erent when they are bombarded with invasive questions or when others question their identities. Almost every question is valid; however, you need to be careful and try to avoid o ending someone or making them uncomfortable.
Respect always comes first.
Difference makes all the Difference