GLBT .... why "T"?

[seekerj]

I was reading the article in the Stevie Forum about the Salvation Army donations, etc.

Reading this brought up something that I've been wondering for a long time. My intention is not to slam or hurt or offend anyone or anything with this question. I think I just need to be educated.

The article talks about the GLBT (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) population. I have seen this "GLBT" acronym used all over the place.

My question is, why is the "T" (transgender) included in this grouping? I can understand how it would make sense to group the G, the L, and the B together, as this is basically saying "non-straights". But isn't Transgender something completely different than sexual orientation/preference? Is it not true that Transgender does not necessarily mean "non-straight"? Doesn't transgender have to do with a person trying to correct a mismatch between body and mind? Am I totally way off in my understanding? Would someone educate me with whatever knowledge I am missing so that I can understand this? Thank you. Because with my current perception, grouping the T with the GLB is kind of like grouping "dog/cat/bird/computer" or something like that. Help!

Thank you!

[olive]

it LGBTQ the Q is Questioning

maybe this will help

http://www.salon.com/2007/10/08/lgbt/

[TrueFaith77]

a) Because all four groups are stigmatized via sexual norms and b) Because they share a common culture (historically)

[markolas]

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.co...gbt-community/

This explains it better than I could. Basically, we're all "transgender" to one degree or another.

[HejiraNYC]

I think lumping T with GLB is basically done for the sake of simplicity- these acronyms stand for the subset of the population for whom discrimination in the 21st century is still condoned legally almost everywhere, including the U.S. I really can't think of an instance where ______ group is against the rights of GLB but fully support the rights of T, and vice-versa. The common thread here is gender, the right to be the person you want to be, and the right to be with the person of your choice. You can see the howls of protest that accompanied Chaz Bono's appearance on Dancing with the Stars, even though he is now "heterosexual" in a sense.

[TrueFaith77]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

You can see the howls of protest that accompanied Chaz Bono's appearance on Dancing with the Stars, even though he is now "heterosexual" in a sense.

The finest howl of protest being Steven Beatty's (born Kathleen).

[olive]

Originally Posted by seekerj

I think I just need to be educated.

thank you, I wish there were more people like you who would ask questions rather than assume or rely on misinformation

But isn't Transgender something completely different than sexual orientation/preference?

this is not a preference or choice . why would anyone one want to be Hated , Belittled , Beaten, Discriminated , some have disowned by their families or killed over it . if it were a choice or a preference like vanilla over chocolate then everyone could choose.

THANKS for taking the time to ask.

[seekerj]

Originally Posted by olive

this is not a preference or choice . why would anyone one want to be Hated , Belittled , Beaten, Discriminated , some have disowned by their families or killed over it . if it were a choice or a preference like vanilla over chocolate then everyone could choose.

THANKS for taking the time to ask.

I'm sorry, you are very much correct; I should not have used the word "preference". I do understand that it is not a choice. But that was hardly the point or focus of my question. But I do apologize and understand that it was not a correct word to use.

I'm also sorry that it caused a distraction from my actual question. So if I hadn't written "sexual orientation/preference", but had instead written just "sexual orientation", how would you have responded?

[olive]

Originally Posted by seekerj

I'm sorry, you are very much correct; I should not have used the word "preference". I do understand that it is not a choice. But that was hardly the point or focus of my question. But I do apologize and understand that it was not a correct word to use.

I'm also sorry that it caused a distraction from my actual question. So if I hadn't written "sexual orientation/preference", but had instead written just "sexual orientation", how would you have responded?

no worries!

[seekerj]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

I think lumping T with GLB is basically done for the sake of simplicity- these acronyms stand for the subset of the population for whom discrimination in the 21st century is still condoned legally almost everywhere, including the U.S. I really can't think of an instance where ______ group is against the rights of GLB but fully support the rights of T, and vice-versa. The common thread here is gender, the right to be the person you want to be, and the right to be with the person of your choice. You can see the howls of protest that accompanied Chaz Bono's appearance on Dancing with the Stars, even though he is now "heterosexual" in a sense.

Thank you. Now that you and everyone else has explained it, it seems obvious. But I never would have come up with that explanation on my own. Now I understand. Thanks for your help.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by olive

it LGBTQ the Q is Questioning

maybe this will help

http://www.salon.com/2007/10/08/lgbt/

Some people also use it for "Queer." Which I assumed would be considered offensive until I was told otherwise by the head of our campus's LGBTQ group.

[olive]

it would be nice if someday if we could ditch the labels and that we might be known as just people.

[chriskisn]

My question is not why Transgender people are included in GLBT but why Intersexuals don't generally rate a mention? Is it because the GLBT community is seen more as a lifestyle choice and the intersex community more of a medical condition?

Interesting statistic I just read on the net (and whether you believe it or not is up to you) that 17 out of every 1000 babies born have some level of intersex condition.

So just why do we only have two choices of gender when you fill in a form?

[chriskisn]

Originally Posted by olive

it would be nice if someday if we could ditch the labels and that we might be known as just people.

Right now in Australia we have a "gay" marriage debate (yep hate that term) going on. I kind of feel the whole thing is like hitting your head against a brick wall. One day people will realise that gay, straight, black, white, Jewish, Christian, Muslim or whatever, we are all just people breathing the same oxygen and living on the same planet.

[HomerMcvie]

What the hell in an Intersexual? I've never heard that term. Took me forever, to figure out what Metrosexual meant!