SEXUAL

ORIENTATION
LGBTQIA+
 DEFINITIONS
Sex: sex is a biological condition that determines our physiological abilities.
From when we are born we know our sex; that is being male or female.

Gender: gender refers to characteristics, roles and expectations that societies

attach to each sex. How each one, male or female, should behave or treat one
another.

Gender identity: the personal sense of one’s own gender. Gender identity can
correlate with a person’s assigned sex or can differ from it.

Sexual orientation: the emotional, romantic or sexual attraction that a person

feels toward another person. Attraction can either be towards the same sex
(homosexual) or opposite sex (heterosexual).
 GENDER:
BINARY AND NON- BINARY

Therefore, “non-
Gender binary is the
binary” is the term
idea that there are
people use to
only two genders
describe genders
because that don't fall into
binary means one of these two
“having two parts” categories,
(male and female).
male or female.
 UMBRELLA TERMS
Questioning
Queer
Questioning is an umbrella
Queer is an umbrella term
term for individuals who are
used to describe individuals
exploring their gender
who do not conform to
identity and/or sexual
cultural norms around gender
orientation. It is a term used
and/or sexuality. It is a term
to refer to individuals in the
used to refer to sexual and
process of determining their
gender minorities who are
gender identity and/or sexual
not heterosexual.
identity.
 GENDER IDENTITIES
Transgender: Intersex:
Cisgender: When a person’s A person born with
gender identity the reproductive
When a person’s differs from their
gender identity organs or sexual
assigned sex.
corresponds Transgender people anatomy that
with their may have the body doesn’t fit in the
of one gender, but boxes of ‘female’ or
assigned sex. feel that they are the ‘male’. Sex
Cisgender have opposite gender, like characteristics can
a sense of they were born into be either male or
personal identity the wrong type of
body. They gender female at the same
and gender that realign by expressing time, or not quite
aligns with their themselves as the male or female or
birth sex. gender they identify neither male nor
as. female.
 SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Asexual:
Lesbian: Is the lack of
Gay:
Homosexual Bisexual: sexual attraction
Homosexual
females who Romantically to others, or low
males who are or absent
are physically and physically
physically and interest in or
and attracted to desire for sexual
romantically
romantically members of activity. It may
attracted to
attracted to both sexes be considered a
other males sexual
other females
orientation or
the lack thereof.
 UNDERSTANDING THE FOLLOWING CONCEPTS
DIVERSITY, DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS:
WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF RACE, RELIGION, LANGUAGE, GENDER, XENOPHOBIA, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SEXUAL
ORIENTATION, HIV AND AIDS STATUS

People can often feel pressured to fit in with society's conventional ideas of being male
or female. Those who don't fit the “mould” can be subjected to ridicule, intimidation
and even physical abuse.

Even though there is an increasing acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people in society and

greater visibility in the media and public life, many LGBTQIA+ people still experience
discrimination, harassment and violence at work, school and in social situations as a
result of HOMOPHOBIA

HOMOPHOBIA is prejudice against people who have same-sex relationships. It is the

fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
 PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION
➢Discrimination means to treat ❑Prejudice is judging people on the
people unfairly and basis of untruths and differences.
differently.
❑To be prejudiced is to pre-judge
➢When you discriminate, you without finding out the truth.
deny people their rights,
❑Prejudice leads to negative attitudes
power and privileges.
and behaviour towards others and
➢So, to discriminate is to promotes discrimination.
violate or abuse others ’ ❑Prejudice also leads to stigma .
human rights. Stigma is the harmful attitudes and
➢Often, discrimination is based abuse towards others, based on
on ignorance. misinformation and ignorance.
PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

Discrimination can take the form of:

➢Systemic discrimination can be described as patterns
of behaviour, policies or practices that are part of the
structures of an organization, and which create or
perpetuate disadvantage for marginalized persons.
❖Obvious acts of prejudice and discrimination
(e.g. someone who is open about being transgender
being refused employment or promotion)
❖More subtle, but no less harmful,
Discrimination that reinforces negative stereotypes and
feelings of difference (e.g. use of the word 'gay' as a
derogatory term)
 IMPACT OF DISCRIMINATION
DISCRIMINATION IS LINKED TO HEALTH HARMS EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT DIRECTLY EXPOSED TO IT,
BECAUSE THE PRESENCE OF DISCRIMINATION, STIGMA AND PREJUDICE CREATES A HOSTILE SOCIAL CLIMATE THAT
TAXES INDIVIDUALS’ COPING RESOURCES AND CONTRIBUTES TO MINORITY STRESS.

 Homophobia could promote harmful stereotypes or misinformation about the LGBTQ+

community. Constantly speaking about the LBGTQ+ community in a derogatory way could lead to
stigmas and prejudice which may result in a lack of empathy towards LGBTQ+ individuals and this
may result in social division or tension between community members.
 Homophobia could cause discrimination by denying the LGBTQ+ community their rights, power
and privileges and providing those opportunities to heterosexual people, this means that there
would be social and economic inequality or lack of diversity and representation as individuals in
the LGBTQ+ community have limited job opportunities.
 Homophobia can create fear among LGBTQ+ individuals, who would constantly worry about their
safety, this will result in increased social isolation among the LGBTQ+ community thus leading to
anxiety and depression.
 Homophobic attacks undermine efforts to promote diversity as homophobic actions perpetuate
narrow-minded attitudes which could create a less tolerant society and such actions could break
the social link of the communities or hinder progress towards the equal society which is why we
should promote UBUNTU.
 DIVERSITY AND UBUNTU

➢DIVERSITY is the range of

➢"I am because We are" human differences, including
but not limited to race,
UBUNTU is an African philosophy that ethnicity, gender, gender
promotes respect for diversity, it is identity, sexual orientation,
based on care and understanding, our age, social class, physical
connectedness to each other, our ability or attributes, religious
shared humanity and the desire to or ethical values system,
understand and respect each other. national origin, and political
beliefs.
 THE IMPACT OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY
MAY INCLUDE EFFECTS ON:

mental and
physical
psychological education employment
health
health

treatment in
housing economic
public and healthcare
status security
social settings
 WHY HOMOPHOBIA SHOULD BE ADDRESSED

❑Homophobia can put negative labels to people based on their sexual identity which may lead
to stigmas and harmful stereotypes.
❑It can divide community members and lead to the marginalization of the LGBTQ+ individuals
due to a lack of empathy and tolerance.
❑It can instill negative value systems in those who believe they are better than the LGBTQI
community members which may lead to a social divide.
❑It can create a hostile environment that can affect everyone’s mental and physical health
which may lead to minority stress – including internalized stigma, low self-esteem,
expectations of rejection and fear of discrimination.
❑Homophobia could result into bullying as a result of prejudice and this that can affect school
performance negatively.
 PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF DISCRIMINATION

Protective factors against the harms of discrimination include community and family support;
access to affirming health care and social services; and the establishment of positive social
climates, inclusive practices and anti-discrimination policies

What can Parents do?

❑ Parents of teen can have an important impact on their child’s
current and future mental and physical well-being.
❑ Parents should talk openly with their teen about any problems or
concerns and watch for behaviors that might show their child is
being bullied or is experiencing violence.
❑ If bullying, violence, or depression is suspected, parents should
take immediate action working with school staff and other adults
in the community
 PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF DISCRIMINATION
What can schools do?

❑Help reduce stigma and discrimination of the LGBTQIA+ community.

❑Schools can help create safer and more supportive environments by preventing bullying and harassment,
promoting school connectedness, and promoting parent engagement. This can be done through the
following policies and practices.

❑Encourage respect for all students and not allow bullying, harassment, or violence against any students.

❑Identify “safe spaces,” such as counselors’ offices, designated classrooms, or student organizations, where
gay and bisexual youth can get support from administrator, teacher, or other school staff.

❑Encourage student-led and student-organized school clubs that promote a safe, welcoming, and accepting
school environment (such as gay-straight alliances, which are school clubs open to youth of all sexual
orientations).

❑Encourage school district and school staff to create and publicize trainings on how to create safe and
supportive school environments for all students, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and
encourage staff to attend these trainings.
 PROTECTIVE FACTORS OF DISCRIMINATION

What can communities do?

LGBTQIA+ youth need to know that they are not alone. As adults, it is our job to make sure that they know
they can always be themselves around us. Fortunately, there are many ways for us to show support.
Here are some things that you can do to model compassion and inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ youth in your
community:
❑Start by listening. LGBTQIA+ youth need to be heard. They deserve to have a voice and receive respect.
❑Model inclusion and kindness. It is crucial that we model inclusion and kindness while supporting LGBTQIA+
youth. We can also model inclusion by making an effort to use inclusive language. One way to use inclusive
language is to ask about gender pronouns. Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people, such as
they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his. It also helps to be mindful of misgendering.

❑Let them be who they are. Many LGBTQIA+ youth are fearful of being rejected by friends, loved ones,
schoolmates, and the community. It is extremely important to let them know it’s OK for them to be authentic and
be who they are.
 Here are some things that you can do to model compassion and
inclusivity for LGBTQIA+ youth in your community:

❑Advocate for the LGBTQIA+ youth. Align with LGBTQIA+ youth to make their lives better. Show LGBTQIA+
youth how to advocate for themselves by writing letters to local politicians and work alongside them to help make
a positive change.
❑Stay informed and become an ally. An ally is someone who is supportive of LGBTQIA+ people.

❑Every youth deserves to feel a sense of belonging. By taking these steps, you can show LGBTQIA+ youth
that you care and that they are welcome and safe in their community.