LGBTQ+: What Does This Acronym Mean?

The acronym LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning. LGBTQ+ is a commonly used term in communities like Cherry Hill; the acronym has a positive connotation for students who recognize or are a part of a large social movement that accept LGBTQ+ people.

The meaning of lesbians and gays in LGBTQ+ are used to characterize homosexuals: lesbians are known as female homosexuals while gays are known as male homosexuals. Bisexuals are people who have a romantic/sexual attraction towards both females and males. Also, queers identify in a self-positive way, but in the past it was more of a negative term. Queer people classify themselves as those who have a variety of sexual preferences and do not obey gender/sexual norms. To clarify, lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people can also classify themselves as queers because they are also not heterosexual or cisgender. Transgenders are people whose gender identity is at odds with the gender associated to them at birth. The + sign stands for questioning; some people question their sexual identity and have to find out who they are as a person.

LGBTQ+ people are able to come together with this word to create parades and varying forms of supportive groups to help those struggling to face their fears. An amiable acronym helps LBGTQ+ people feel comfortable with themselves and gain respect throughout their community because they overcome their differences by identifying as a large group instead of as a single individual characterized as different. The term has helped people come together. Even those who are not LBQT+ people associate with this acronym to show support and help in supportive programs.