Language matters part 2

Labels within the LGBTQ+ community have long been a battleground. Some welcome the language to identify and articulate their experience whilst others can view them as an attempt to neatly categorise or put into a box something which is too complex and fluid. So, what do we mean when we talk about LGBTQ+ identities?

What does LGBTQ+ mean?

LGBTQ+ is an acronym used as an umbrella term covering a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities. It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, and queer or questioning. Queer is probably the most common variant of the ‘Q’ and it is a term we will talk about in more detail later on. Questioning is less commonly used but this term describes someone who is questioning their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. The ‘+’ refers to a range of sexual orientations or gender identities that are not covered by the letters. For these and for explanations on each of the terms Stonewall has a useful glossary of definitions. 

There are many variations of the acronym including LGBT+ and LGBTQIA+ with the ‘I’ standing for intersex and the ‘A’ for asexual. The range of terms within the LGBTQ+ community shows the breadth of human experience of sexuality and gender. Importantly it is personal and can be fluid. When we talk about LGBTQ+ unpaid carers that is anyone who identifies as being part of the LGBTQ+ community and provides unpaid care. Catch up with what is meant by an unpaid carer in our previous blog here.

Queer 

Queer is considered an umbrella term for those who do not identify with any specific label. Sometimes it is simply defined as a sexual and/or gender identity that is not heterosexual or cisgender. It will mean many different things to many different people and for some that means negative associations. It is important to acknowledge the history of the word queer as it was (and still can be) used as a slur. Whilst many people celebrate the reclaiming of a term that can be considered more inclusive and less rigid, others feel uncomfortable using a term that was once weaponised against them. Like with all things relating to someone's identity it is best not to assume as one person’s queer joy can be another's trauma.

Being counted

There are a lot of reasons people choose to keep quiet about their LGBTQ+ identity, for fear of discrimination, they don’t know what is being done with the information and sometimes someone has already made an incorrect assumption and it is easier to go along with it than try and correct them. In a previous blog we spoke about the lack of research on LGBTQ+ carers but if LGBTQ+ carers are not included in research or not counted in social care monitoring then they remain invisible. This means social care cannot improve accessibility and support for LGBTQ+ carers, and LGBTQ+ people more broadly, and address inequalities. The LGBT Foundation has more information on the importance of being counted here.

If you’re an LGBTQ+ unpaid carer and want to be counted then get in touch here to find out how you can be involved in shaping social care research. 

Published on 06/04/2023 by Keisha Tomlinson