Asexuality, Acronyms, and belonging into the queer community

[Xavy]

LGBTQA is as far as I would go. Why ? Well, LGBT was the original acronym, and I think the "q" covers anything that's missed by the LGBT letters. The "a" should absolutely be for allies, since our allies are very important and are not represented by any of the other letters.

Now, getting even more controversial, I have to say ......People should just get over it if "their" letter is not specifically included.

[Guest]

I dunno. I'm normally lazy and go with the shortest one possible, unless the subject Im discussing calls for me to use a longer acronym.

A stands for Asexual, or Agender.

I was in GSA in my school. The Gay-Straight Alliance. Everyone there was gay, or straight, or bisexual. Made me feel singled out and uncomfortable. Stopped going after about 2 meetings.

[MarieIsEatingTacobell]

I've adopted using LGTB+, there's just too many letters to use them all. LGBT is something everyone knows, but something as simple as a + is inclusive to all others in the community. In my opinion, anyways. I never just use LGBT anymore, I always use the +.

[Kappamaki]

I voted for GSRM and was expecting my opinion to be in the minority. I'm pleasantly surprised.

The only qualm I have about GSRM is that, when I think about it, I don't think it's including intersex people. Maybe they fall under "gender."

[R_1]

Well, results are in. Most people are for covert inclusion acronyms. About half feels like certainly they belong. About half does not feel like they neccessarily belong. About half thinks A is for asexual. Is anyone surprised about this?

[Minakie]

English is not my first language, so I don't really understand what the word "queer" means ^^''

[Raina.]

I personally just use LGBTQA+. I try to include everyone but I've genuinely never seen people use all of the above? Though if anyone'd ask me, I'd add it for them should they feel more comfortable with other acronyms. I'd hate for them to feel erased.

I think the A stands for ace/aro/agender etc, anything you feel applies to you. Just as long as you don't think i means ally cause I don't think we should praise people for it. Support should come naturally, they don't deserve a letter if none of the other acronyms apply to them. The entire world already caters to these people. This is for us.

And the L and A are both parts of my own identification!

[Raina.]

English is not my first language, so I don't really understand what the word "queer" means ^^''

Queer is an umbrella term (a combination of everything) that some people use. ^_^ However, in the history of English language this has also been used as a slur which is why some are uncomfortable with it. English isn't my first language either which is why I've never dealt with the negative side of the word, so I tend to say it for personal use. I'm careful with calling others queer, though. Not everyone appreciates it.

[Guest]

MOGAI, even worse, it makes me think about gremlins.

Glad that's not just me, then. I always read it as "Mogwai", too. :lol:

[ClayDaDalek]

In my opinion, GSA means Gender Sexuality Alliance, not Gay Straight Alliance, so that's always a good one to use. But the answer for the first one for me would have to be LGBTQA+ Just because that's what I have been writing. That said, I think that the A in said acronym stands for Agender, Aromantic, Asexual, AND ally. I agree that allies are not an orientation, but some people think that if you're straight, you're against the community. (or, at least did, and I'm sure some still do).

[C8H7N3O2]

I like LGBTA+ where the plus includes everyone without having to be 30 letters long....

[Guest]

I personally prefer QUILTBAG. It's easier to say, and the Q is pretty all-encompassing

[girltwink666]

I think LGBTQ+ is a good thing to summarize it

like an abbreviation for the abbreviation hhaaha

[Augustus]

I think LGBT is as far as it generally needs to go before people know what you mean.

I also don't think asexuals have a stake in the queer community. We should be our own thing. LGBT groups are too political. I like the idea of us being united but not political.

[Augustus]

some people think that if you're straight, you're against the community.

I have never encountered anyone who thought that. Acknowledging the existence of straight privilege doesn't equate to hating straight people. Putting aros' and aces' needs before straight feelings in LGBTQIA communities doesn't equate to hating straight people. Not specifying that #NotAllStraightPeople are awful human beings doesn't equate to hating straight people.

I have met people like that. When you come off as a straight person, people who don't like straight people might reveal themselves to you in unflattering ways. Just saying, it's rare, but it's there.

[ClayDaDalek]

some people think that if you're straight, you're against the community.

I have never encountered anyone who thought that. Acknowledging the existence of straight privilege doesn't equate to hating straight people. Putting aros' and aces' needs before straight feelings in LGBTQIA communities doesn't equate to hating straight people. Not specifying that #NotAllStraightPeople are awful human beings doesn't equate to hating straight people.

I have met people like that. When you come off as a straight person, people who don't like straight people might reveal themselves to you in unflattering ways. Just saying, it's rare, but it's there.

Some people I've met like that: My parents, my grandparents, and OH! The whole of my mother's church which I'm forced to go to as a closeted aro ace agendered person. ::Shudder::

[Maiflower]

I think it should be shortened to something like ABH and ABC, ABH standing for Anything But Heterosexual, and ABC standing for Anything but Cisgender. And if you're talking about all of who are usually called LGBT, it can be ABHAC, the second A being "And". So, it includes every orientation that isn't heterosexual nor cisgender, while keeping apart sexual and gender identities, but still including them together. Plus, ABHAC could be a pronounceable word. But, sometimes I'd just use LGBTQIAA+. Maybe now I'll add a second Q and start using ABHAC and the separate abbreviations more. I always saw that the first Q was questioning, which is what I usually think now, but Q meaning queer makes sense. So, I'm just going to use both. Especially when right now I'm both A (Asexual) and Q (Questioning gender).

[Robin L]

Just wanted to mention that the acronym used in WorldPride 2014 was LGBTTIQQ2SA. The A stands for "ally", and they refused to change it even after AVEN asked.

[remique]

Kind of disappointed there wasn't an Aro option for the "What does the A stand for?" question. As far as I'm concerned, the A stands for Ace, Aro and Agender.

[InsightfulWolf]

I have not read any of the posts here, but I think it is best to stick with a small amount of letters. GSRD seems very nice since it is all-inclusive, but LGBT or LGBTA is tossed around so much lately that it has come to have a nice ring to it for me. Frankly, I am fond of the + following the acronym so that it is implied that more is included than mentioned. I understand why some people get offended with LGBT identities getting favoritism, but an acronym like LGBTQQIP2SAA is impossibly difficult remember.

[Androgynoid Replicant]

What about OPS (Other Please Specify)?

[LassieBee]

I just use LGBT+. It's an original, most frequently used term, but expanded to all orientations/genders. So no one should feel left out.

It think that adding letters is pointless, because there will always be someone who is going to feel left out, someone who doesn't belong to any of those letters.

I always use LGBT+ too. It's much quicker and easier to remember but the plus includes all the other letters after it.

[AlwaysADreamer]

I like LGBT+

[Guest]

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