LGBTQ+ and Gender Issues

LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning. The “plus” includes all the other communities like transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, asexual, and ally. Recently, a more inclusive term, “GSERD,” is being used to include gender, sexual, erotic, and relational diversity.

People who identify as LGBTQ+ experience a lot of discrimination. The lack of social inclusion, freedom from discrimination, and economic equity significantly decrease the well-being of LGBTQ people. They may have shame and confusion about their sexual orientation and gender identity, and they face a higher risk of mental health issues. Many of them are victims of assault, harassment, and hate crimes. Economically, an out-of-proportion number of LGBTQ people qualify as low-income. Additionally, the stress of “coming out” exacerbates the loss of family and social support. When combined with racial and cultural discrimination, the oppression of LGBTQ people can be heavy. LGBTQ youth even face a much higher risk of suicide and compulsion issues.

Gender identity is the internal and subjective experience of one’s gender as being a man, woman, or anywhere on the gender spectrum. A person’s gender identity can be different from their biological sex. When this difference causes significant stress or dysfunction in life, it could be diagnosed as “Gender Dysphoria.” However, this diagnosis is highly questioned and may be the consequence of the above-mentioned social-economic issues rather than an organic mental illness. Non-heterosexual, non-cisgender, and non-monogamous orientation used to be pathologized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, but these diagnoses were recently removed and modified.