What LGBTQ+ topic do you wish more people knew about? This could be a queer icon, a piece of history, knowledge about certain labels, specific philosophy topics (or notable philosopher), art, or anything else. Also if there are topics that you wish specific sub populations had greater access to or knowledge of, feel free to qualify (for example, you might wish there was greater knowledge about a specific cultural gender to all cultures which don’t have exposure to this gender, or a desire for your local gay community to be more educated on a topic important to you).
I’m late but I really wish more people knew what a “queer platonic partner” relationship was.
I usually just use “partner” for my QPP because it’s easier than to even briefly explain, but just because I’m asexual aromantic doesn’t mean I don’t want a relationship that “stands out” more than the others. and just because I do, doesn’t mean every ace/aro person does! there’s so much nuance to the LGBTQ+ community and I think people forget that a lot and choose to isolate to their spot in the acronym.
a QPP isn’t someone you’re dating, and I’m really tired of people talking about my “girlfriend” (because let’s also ignore that they’re non-binary!) alternative relationships exist to the typical “path” and assumptions plus choosing to not learn is really damaging. and that goes for every LGBTQ+ topic. or, hell, the nuance to every individual person.
I just want to drop a link to queer platonic relationships specifically, too.
That there are divisions and prejudice within the community. It’s better for everyone involved to put on a united front, but unfortunately people get put down and marginalized even in supposedly queer-friendly spaces all the time. In my own circles, it happens a lot with bisexual men and non-binary/gender non-conforming persons in particular.
Bi man in a hetero relationship, I feel “pushed out” of the community a lot of the time
This is such a small thing which I have so few occasions to use, but I wish the term “QUILTBAG” had become more popularized when it was coined in 2006 (caps are for accuracy, not shouting). It’s just more fun to say, and I’m a sucker for a good acronym
It’s SO much easier and quicker to say than L-G-B-T-Q-I-A+. When in company that I know its ok with it, I just say “queer community”, but I know not everyone has accepted the reclamation of that word. Which I get. I’m totally good with queer, but hearing the f-slur sets off my fight-or-flight responses
I usually ask how folks prefer to hear the community referenced to avoid those fight or flight responses. Het with some flex, if they get to know me that well, doesn’t mean I’m part of the community as they define it - some people have wider or narrower definitions and qualifiers than others and I’m fine with that - but either way, my comfort doesn’t mean others share that feeling and it’s on me to be conscientious and kind.
Ace people are queer too :)
And really, some of us have 0 interest in sex please stop asking us. Believe it or not, romance isn’t sexual in and of itself, so it’s not impossible for us to crave romance and have no desire for sex.
And, many of us are this way without ever having experienced trauma. It’s necessary to ask someone about trauma in a relationship, but don’t assume it’s the reason for the lack of sexual interest. (In many cases it is a or the reason, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that a person doesn’t want to engage in sex)
Coming out is not a single, grand event. It’s a decision we have to make repeatedly, sometimes even daily.
Do I have the energy to correct the dude I bought a guitar cable from who assumed I have a wife? I was tired and cranky that day so I didn’t correct him, now I have to deal with feeling weird or even a tad guilty for not standing up for myself or my partner even on such a tiny level.
Yes, media portrays coming out as something you do once and then you’re out! Really, it’s something you do over and over again with every person or group you come out to. Some people are easier to come out to than others. Whether we do it and how we do it depends a lot on the specific circumstances.
Edit: I once heard this terminology reversed and it really resonated with me. That is, it’s not about who you are out to but who you let in. It’s a privilege to be on the inside, not an obligation for you to be out.
