Why are transgender issues lumped in with gay and lesbian issues?
16 Answers
Last Updated: 08/05/2019 at 1:38am
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Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
January 4th, 2016 6:45pm
Because when the whole big non-hetero-cis thing was new, they were all lumped in as basically a big melting pot for all the weirdos. Personally I think that's a little stupid, myself, but that's people for you.
People tend to assume that because being gay or lesbian isn't traditional, that transgender is the same because neither are what society is used to, even though both situations don't change if a person is human or not. A lot of people who are ignorant and not educated on the LGBT community don't understand that when you change your gender identity, you are mod likely to still be attracted to the sex you have always been attracted to, because of that a lot of people see that you are "making" yourself gay. Although that has nothing to do with it, "it isn't about who you want to go to bed with, it's who you want to go to bed as."
Anonymous
March 3rd, 2015 4:11am
Because often, there are similarity within the issues they face. For example the coming out. The fear of telling your parents you're gay/lesbian and the fear of telling you're parents that you're transgender. Both can understand one another on this matter.
I think people see being trans as being a sexuality issue, because they tend to put gender and sexuality together, when they aren't necessarily related. I think it comes down to us all being minorities, people don't always see that the issues we face won't be the same. By the same token I don't know if it really matters, because hopefully we can all help each other and support each others causes.
A lot of the time transgender people, and gay/lesbian/bisexual/asexual people have pretty similar experiences in the regards of coming out and facing discrimination in the world
Anonymous
July 27th, 2015 8:04pm
Transgender issues are generally lumped in with gay and lesbian issues because a majority of people see "gay" as a general term meaning anyone not heterosexual. In truth, there are many differences between people in the LGBTQ community.
Many issues within the lgbt spectrum are lumped together. It's mostly because of erasure of other valid gender & sexual orientations. Bi, pan, ace, trans, gender fluid and so many more are put under the umbrella term "gay".
Transgender issues revolving around gender identity are often lumped in with Gay and Lesbian issues revolving around sexual identity because the communities surrounding these issues are both minorities. Gender and sexuality are very different things so yes it doesn't always make sense that the two are united in LGBTQ+ groups. This uniting is in the hopes that we as the whole LGBTQ+ community can raise our voices a little louder if we stand together. To have more power as a united front in making the world a more inclusive and accepting place.
Anonymous
January 18th, 2016 3:20pm
The answer can be that some people are just not ok with the idea of lgbt when, in reality, it's ok to be lgbt because it's who you are and if you are in the lgbt community, your perfect. No matter what others say.
Anonymous
September 27th, 2016 9:06am
It's because transgender issues are fairly new and are often similar to some gay and lesbian topics. Even though it not rhe best, learn to separate the issues!
There has always been a great overlap between the two because it is such a more safe enviornment to express your gender withing gay and lesbians circles. We worked together for gay and trans rights for decades, even before Stonewall (Which you should look up!). Many trans people thought of themselves as gay if a trans woman was only into men because terminology was just different at the time! But we've always been lumped together and found community with each other
Because transgender people are also a minority and also have a fight for equal rights. Also the stonewall riots was led by transgender women but then branched out into the fight for LGB equality. While gender and sexuality are very different things, people who aren't either cis or heterosexual are often faced with similar struggles
Anonymous
September 18th, 2017 8:41am
Transgender issues are lumped with gays and lesbians because all of us "different" people are seen as part of the same community. and thus, can be lumped. That and its perceived that transgender people will be gay or bi or some other sexual/romantic orientation besides straight. TLDR: people suck
Transgender issues are tied in with gay and lesbian issues because they are all apart of the same community. The LGBT community.
Being transgender is something not alot of people undertstand so when one part of the community is struggling then all of the community fights for everyone elses rights. If thats what you asking.
They are very distinct issues in many ways, but they have in common the social stigma they have to face, the fact that they're sadly all affected by social prejudice, and consequently, in many cases, discrimination. The issue they face have their differences, but joining forces between people whose identity is often disrespected gives strength to all, and makes sure all voices are heard even louder. Plus, it creates a wonderful sense of community and solidarity! I know it doesn't always feel like this because sadly discrimination withing the LGBTQ+ community still exist, but it's not as widespread, and the tendency is towards union and solidarity.
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