Topic of the Month

Topic of the Month

L-G-B-T-Q what?

L stands for lesbians - women whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to other women.

G stands for gay men - men whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to other men.

B stands for bisexuals - men or women whose primary emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attractions are to both women and men.

T stands for transgendered - a broad term that includes cross-dressers, intersexed people, transsexuals, and people who live substantial portions of their lives as other than their birth gender. A transgendered person is someone whose gender identity and/or expression differ from conventional expectations for their physical birth sex. Gender identity refers to the internal sense of being male or female, while gender expression refers to how someone presents his or her gender to the world through style of dress, mannerisms, and so on. A transitioning transgender person is one who is modifying her or his physical characteristics and manner of expression to - in effect -satisfy the standards for membership in another gender. Transgender people can be straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual

Q stands for questioning - someone who is questioning their sexual and/or gender orientation. Sometimes, the Q stands for "queer," a term reclaimed by some LGBTs for political reasons.

What people in these groups all have in common is that they challenge the heterosexist norms of mainstream society and are stigmatized as a result; otherwise, the LGBTQ community is very diverse with respect to ethnic and cultural backgrounds, physical ability, religion, personality traits, socioeconomic class, and many other attributes.

You are not alone.

While many LGBTQ individuals do not fully understand their sexual or gender identity until adolescence later, such as in college, most grow up with an awareness that they are somehow different, and with some unclear ideas about what that difference might be. Most commonly, LGBTQs grow up in an environment that covertly, and sometimes overtly, makes them feel that they are bad people, second-class citizens, abnormal, or morally wrong. Whatever the message, these individuals can be vulnerable while questioning their identities and often do so in isolation. When they do find a way to recognize, and perhaps label their differences, it is done without the tools required to integrate this new information into their overall identity in an integrated way. Many LGBTQs feel that they must remain hidden and invisible for fear of rejection, maltreatment, and discrimination. It can be quite stressful living in a society where homophobia and heterosexism still exists on a large scale. Common mental health issues in the LGBTQ community:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Substance abuse
  • Problems with family
  • Relationship issues

For LGBTQ people, "coming out" is a complex process of understanding, accepting, and valuing one's sexual and/or gender identity. Coming out includes both exploring one's identity and sharing that identity with others. It also involves coping with societal responses and attitudes toward LGBTQ people. LGBTQ individuals are forced to come to terms with what it means to be different in a society that tends to assume everyone to be heterosexual and gender conforming. The coming out process is very personal. This process happens in different ways and occurs at different ages for different people. It is usually advisable to come out first to those who are most likely to be supportive.

If you are gay, lesbian or bisexual, or think you might be, it may be helpful to keep in mind the following suggestions as you move toward self-acceptance:

  • "Coming out" is a life-long process. You have the right to choose when, where and to whom you come out.
  • Use caution and test the waters. Talk about gay issues first to see the reactions of significant others in your life.
  • Don't expect immediate acceptance. Many people will be surprised by your revelation. They may need time to adjust and to re-examine old stereotypes and myths.
  • If you are rejected by someone after coming out, don't lose sight of your own self worth. Remember, you are just as valuable and worthy as you were before you told that person.
  • Clarify your own feelings about your sexuality before sharing them with others. Remember that coming out may be a difficult process and may require the assistance of a counselor or support group. LGBTQ people are a potential natural support system because they have all experienced at least some of the steps in the process of coming out.

Where can you go for help?

You can stop by University Counseling Services, located in Bayramian Hall Room 520, or call at 818-677-2366 to inquire about our services. UCS is comprised of mental health professionals who are sensitive to diversity issues and are willing to work with you individually. UCS also currently offers a weekly LGBTQ Support Group for both graduate and undergraduate students.

The Los Angeles area, like many big cities, also has a wealth of resources available to those who identify as LGBT or are questioning. The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center, operating from 5 different locations, offers a wide variety of services including:

  • Low-cost counseling
  • Addiction-recovery services (including 12-step)
  • Free HIV/AIDS care and medications for those most in need
  • Housing, food, clothing and support for homeless LGBT youth
  • Essential services for LGBT-parented families and seniors
  • Services for couples experiencing domestic violence
  • Legal services
  • Health education and HIV prevention programs
  • Transgender services
  • Cultural arts programs and fun social activities!
  • Referrals and much more

For more information, please call 323-993-7400. Their primary location is in Hollywood:

McDonald/Wright Building
1625 N. Schrader Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213
Ph: 323-993-7400

What are some helpful online resources?

CSUN LGBTA: www.lgbta.org

UCLA LGBT Resource Center: www.lgbt.ucla.edu/Resources_guide.htm

The LA Gay and Lesbian Center (LAGLC): www.lagaycenter.org

One National Gay and Lesbian Archives: www.onearchives.org

Southern California LGBT History: www.lgbthistory.org

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF): www.ngltf.org

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG): www.pflag.org