Posted on Jun 25, 2021
LGBT Pride Month: Addressing LGBTQ Misconceptions
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There is a misconception that individuals in the LGBT+ community are somehow responsible for everything that happens to them. Given some of the responses following my last posts (https://rly.pt/365TSyV), I thought it necessary to provide the information mentioned below.
At times people say and do things that harm others with their words and actions. Most times they are not aware that they are offending anyone. These actions are referred to as microaggressions. Microaggressions are defined as any verbal or physical interaction between those of different races, cultures, beliefs, or genders that has no malicious intent but can be interpreted as an aggression. Individuals in the LGBT community experience a significant amount of microaggressions as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Listed below are a few of the many microaggressions that LGBT+ individuals face:
-Use of transphobic and/or incorrect gendered terminology: Experiences involving the use of denigrating language, incorrect gender pronouns, or both (e.g., publicly questioning a person’s gender).
-Assumption of universal transgender experience: Interactions in which individuals assume that all transgender persons are the same (e.g., assuming that all transgender people undergo gender-affirming surgeries).
-Discomfort/disapproval of transgender experience: Occurrences in which transgender persons are treated with disrespect or condemnation (e.g., a person becoming judgmental after learning about a friend’s transgender identity).
-Denial of the existence of transphobia: Instances when cisgender individuals (i.e., nontransgender people) invalidate a transgender person by denying that transphobic experiences exist.
-Assumption of sexual pathology or abnormality: Incidents involving the treatment of transgender persons as psychologically abnormal or sexually deviant (e.g., beliefs that transgender individuals are all associated with HIV/AIDS or are sex workers).
-Physical threat or harassment: Experiences in which transgender persons are teased, intimidated, or bullied because of their gender identity.
-Denial of personal body privacy: Statements or behaviors in which cisgender people objectify a transgender person’s body (e.g., a stranger asking intrusive questions about one’s genitals).
-Familial microaggressions: Subtle or unintentional forms of discrimination that occur within the family.
-Systemic and environmental microaggressions: Covert forms of discrimination that occur on an institutional or community level. Transgender and gender-neutral individuals experience several types of systemic discrimination and injustice from various sectors: the criminal justice system, health care, family, employment, education, and other public accommodations and service providers.
For those of you who are wondering, the long-term effects of microaggressions include, but are not limited to: high prevalence of clinical depression, anxiety, and somatization (the production of recurrent and multiple medical symptoms with no discernible cause). Increased levels of psychological distress, substance abuse, apprehension, and interpersonal difficulties. A recent study indicated a suicide rate of 41% among Trans individuals. Please note that some of the higher rates of HIV stem from the abuse and victimization that LGBT individuals are subjected to. For example, 21% of Transgender, Genderqueer, Nonconforming College Students, and 43-46% of adults have survived a completed or attempted sexual assault. In 2011, 1505 members of the LGBT community were victims of hate crimes. Lastly, from January 2008 to December 2012, there were approximately 1,123 murders of transgender people in 57 countries.
As humans, it is natural for us to fill in the blank regarding the unknown with information we think “fit” the situation. Most times, this information is based on what we have experienced, been told, or assume. Hopefully, the information in this post will help individuals research a topic before making a decision, posting a comment, or engage in certain behaviors.
Listed below are more facts regarding the LGBT+ community.
Until next time….
At times people say and do things that harm others with their words and actions. Most times they are not aware that they are offending anyone. These actions are referred to as microaggressions. Microaggressions are defined as any verbal or physical interaction between those of different races, cultures, beliefs, or genders that has no malicious intent but can be interpreted as an aggression. Individuals in the LGBT community experience a significant amount of microaggressions as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Listed below are a few of the many microaggressions that LGBT+ individuals face:
-Use of transphobic and/or incorrect gendered terminology: Experiences involving the use of denigrating language, incorrect gender pronouns, or both (e.g., publicly questioning a person’s gender).
-Assumption of universal transgender experience: Interactions in which individuals assume that all transgender persons are the same (e.g., assuming that all transgender people undergo gender-affirming surgeries).
-Discomfort/disapproval of transgender experience: Occurrences in which transgender persons are treated with disrespect or condemnation (e.g., a person becoming judgmental after learning about a friend’s transgender identity).
-Denial of the existence of transphobia: Instances when cisgender individuals (i.e., nontransgender people) invalidate a transgender person by denying that transphobic experiences exist.
-Assumption of sexual pathology or abnormality: Incidents involving the treatment of transgender persons as psychologically abnormal or sexually deviant (e.g., beliefs that transgender individuals are all associated with HIV/AIDS or are sex workers).
-Physical threat or harassment: Experiences in which transgender persons are teased, intimidated, or bullied because of their gender identity.
-Denial of personal body privacy: Statements or behaviors in which cisgender people objectify a transgender person’s body (e.g., a stranger asking intrusive questions about one’s genitals).
-Familial microaggressions: Subtle or unintentional forms of discrimination that occur within the family.
-Systemic and environmental microaggressions: Covert forms of discrimination that occur on an institutional or community level. Transgender and gender-neutral individuals experience several types of systemic discrimination and injustice from various sectors: the criminal justice system, health care, family, employment, education, and other public accommodations and service providers.
For those of you who are wondering, the long-term effects of microaggressions include, but are not limited to: high prevalence of clinical depression, anxiety, and somatization (the production of recurrent and multiple medical symptoms with no discernible cause). Increased levels of psychological distress, substance abuse, apprehension, and interpersonal difficulties. A recent study indicated a suicide rate of 41% among Trans individuals. Please note that some of the higher rates of HIV stem from the abuse and victimization that LGBT individuals are subjected to. For example, 21% of Transgender, Genderqueer, Nonconforming College Students, and 43-46% of adults have survived a completed or attempted sexual assault. In 2011, 1505 members of the LGBT community were victims of hate crimes. Lastly, from January 2008 to December 2012, there were approximately 1,123 murders of transgender people in 57 countries.
As humans, it is natural for us to fill in the blank regarding the unknown with information we think “fit” the situation. Most times, this information is based on what we have experienced, been told, or assume. Hopefully, the information in this post will help individuals research a topic before making a decision, posting a comment, or engage in certain behaviors.
Listed below are more facts regarding the LGBT+ community.
Until next time….
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
MSG (Join to see)
I am sorry to hear that. Have you been able to get the resources you need/want? Please send me a private message if you'd like more information/support.
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SGT (Join to see)
MSG (Join to see) - Thank you MSG for you concern but until there is a leadership/cultural change at the top and throughout the VA healthcare system the Transgender Veteran will never receive the care they earned.
So unless you can get me a meeting with VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough's so he can hear first hand how Transgender Veterans are treated withing the VA I doubt anything will ever change.
So unless you can get me a meeting with VA Secretary Denis R. McDonough's so he can hear first hand how Transgender Veterans are treated withing the VA I doubt anything will ever change.
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We stand in defense of our nation, our flag and our constitution. We swore an oath. This delusional drivel only serves our enemies. Words are NOT attacking or violence. You people need to get over yourselves. Take you commie bullshit and get the fuck off the line.
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MSG (Join to see)
When we were children, there was a saying "sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". That statement is quite inaccurate. When words are put in a particular context,they can be quite damaging. Broken bones heal within a relatively short time frame (6-8 weeks). But an individual who is told that they are stupid/fat/ugly/worthless/etc. take much longer to heal (months, years, or never). I was once told that for every negative comment someone hears, they need to hear 10 positive affirmations to cancel it.
I am not a communist or anything else that people may assume. I love learning and sharing some of that knowledge with others.
Take care and thank you for sharing your point of view.
I am not a communist or anything else that people may assume. I love learning and sharing some of that knowledge with others.
Take care and thank you for sharing your point of view.
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PFC Joseph Cuschieri
MSG (Join to see) sounds like you're a snowflake. If you are called fat, lose weight, exercise or accept you will be called fat. If you're ugly stop doing those things that make you look ugly or accept that people will be calling you ugly. If you are called stupid, stop doing or saying stupid things or accept that some people will be calling you stupid. If you are called worthless then be productive and create value in what you do or accept that people will recognize you stupid, ugly, fat and laziness as worthlessness.
If you wish to make illegal or a fireable offense the spoken word or opinions of everyone - against freedom and the right to freely express one's thoughts - then you prefer social control over the hearts and minds of people. This makes you a socialist. The only question remains... are you a fascist socialist supporting the dictates of those in command above you or you believe your power entitles you and those like you to demand common order as a socialist, communist?
Mama, this post was a declaration of your position as a communist.
If you wish to make illegal or a fireable offense the spoken word or opinions of everyone - against freedom and the right to freely express one's thoughts - then you prefer social control over the hearts and minds of people. This makes you a socialist. The only question remains... are you a fascist socialist supporting the dictates of those in command above you or you believe your power entitles you and those like you to demand common order as a socialist, communist?
Mama, this post was a declaration of your position as a communist.
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