LGBTQIA+ Terminology – 4/23/23 MM (TRICIA)
The words we use to talk about lesbian, gay, bi, and transgender people can have a powerful impact on our conversations with one another. Using the right words can help open people’s hearts and minds, while others can create distance or confusion. For example, the abbreviation “LGBTQIA+” is commonly used within the movement for equality, but it can be confusing and alienating to people who don’t understand what it means and feel daunted by its complexity.
We would like to help familiarize you with some of the common terms used in order to help you feel more educated and comfortable with their meanings and uses. To that end, we’ve provided you with resource materials in the church library that can help define and explain the component terms of “LGBTQIA+.” We also encourage you to visit reconcilingworks.org to take advantage of the many educational resources and references they have there.
What is more important than being able to define LGBTQIA+ terms is to recognize that they are adjectives, not nouns. They are a way that people can describe themselves and how they feel that they fit into society, but they are not all-encompassing or even defining characteristics. You might describe yourself as young or old, outgoing or shy, sporty or intellectual. People who choose LGBTQIA+ terms to describe themselves are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, and friends. They walk their dog, mow the lawn, shop for groceries, and attend church, just like you. We all want and deserve the same opportunities to pursue health and happiness, be safe in our communities, serve our church, and take care of the ones we love. Getting to know one another and learning about the terms we choose to describe ourselves is part of being a loving community of God. As we are reminded in Romans 15:7, “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Thank you.
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