Janvi J LGBTQ Counselling
Janvi J LGBTQ Counselling
Janvi J LGBTQ Counselling
GENDER
A social construct used to classify a person as a man, woman or some other identity. Fundamentally different from sex assigned a
a person plays or is expected to play in society.
INTERSex
Describes a person born with sex characteristics that are not typical for male or female bodies. Sex characteristics are
physical features relating to sex — including chromosomes, genitals, hormones and other reproductive anatomy — as
well as secondary features that emerge from puberty. Intersex is an umbrella term, and intersex characteristics and traits
are not always apparent or identified at birth. The “I” in the longer version of LGBTQ (LGBTQIA+) stands for intersex.
GENDER EXPRESSION
How individuals communicate their gender to others through their clothing, speech, mannerisms and other fac
tors. Gender expression is not the same thing as gender identity. A person can express one gender yet identify
with another.
QUESTIONING
Describes a person who is still discovering and exploring their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression
or some combination thereof. Using this term enables an individual to identify as part of the LGBTQ community
while avoiding other labels and recognizing that their process of self-identification is still underway.
ALLY
Describes a person who supports, both publicly and privately, the LGBTQ community and equality in its many forms.
Heterosexual and cisgender people can be allies, as well as individuals from within the LGBTQ community.
Sexual Orientation
An enduring emotional and/or physical attraction (or non-attraction) to other people. Sexual orientation is fluid and encom
passes a variety of labels, including gay, lesbian, heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual.
Sexual identity is the personal and unique way that a person perceives his or her own sexual desires and sexual expressions
LESBIAN
Describes a woman who is attracted, emotionally and/or physically, to other women. A woman does not need a specific sexual
experience — or any sexual experience — to identify as a lesbian.
GAY
Describes a person who is attracted, emotionally and/or physically, to someone of the same gender. The term can be used by
men, women or individuals who identify as nonbinary. A person does not need a specific sexual experience — or any sexual
experience — to identify as gay.
HETEROSEXUAL
Describes a person who is attracted — physically and emotionally — to individuals of the opposite sex. Otherwise known as a
straight person.
BISEXUAL
Describes a person who is attracted to both men and women. A person does not need to have had specific sexual experiences
— or any sexual experience — to identify as bisexual.
PANSEXUAL
Describes a person who is attracted to — or has the potential to be attracted to — people of any gender or gender identi
ty. This attraction can be emotional or physical.
ASEXUAL
Describes a person who is not sexually attracted to others and has no desire to engage in sexual behavior. Asexuality dif
fers from celibacy in that a person who is celibate is sexually attracted to others but chooses to abstain from sex. Some
times, asexual is abbreviated as “ace.”
Gender Identity
Gender identity is the sense of self as male or female and does not refer to one’s sexual orientation or gender role. Gender
role describes the behaviours that are viewed as masculine or feminine by a particular culture.
CISGENDER
Describes a person whose gender identity matches the sex — male or female — originally identified on their birth certificate
(i.e., people who are not transgender). Cisgender, which is pronounced sis-gender, describes only a person’s gender identity —
not their sexual or romantic attractions. Sometimes, cisgender is abbreviated as “cis” in casual conversation.
TRANSGENDER
Describes a person whose gender identity and/or gender expression do not match their assigned sex at birth. Transgender peo
ple may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual or queer.
TWO SPIRIT
Describes a person who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit. It is used by some Native American and
Alaska Native people to describe their sexual, gender and/or spiritual identity. It may encompass same-sex attraction and
also include relationships that could be considered poly.
Problems Faced by LGBTQ
People
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) people face tremendous
difficulties growing up in a society where heterosexuality is often
presented as the only acceptable orientation and homosexuality is
regarded as deviant. They continue to face discrimination and exclusion
across the world in all spheres of life. Homophobic violence and abuse
targeting LGBT people occur on a regular basis. In most EU Member
States, same-sex couples do not enjoy the same rights and protections
as opposite sex couples, and consequently suffer from discrimination
and disadvantage in access to social protection schemes, such as health
care and pensions. In the labour market, a majority of LGBT people
continue to hide their sexual orientation or to endure harassment out of
fear of losing their job.
1. Problem of Homelessness:–The myriad problems facing LGBT people who are homeless include a lack of
housing and services that meet their specific needs. For example: An estimated 40-50% of the homeless youth living
on New York City‘s streets identify as LGBT. They are living there because they were thrown out of their homes for
being queer, or ran away to escape an abusive situation. Family housing in the shelter system across the country is not
available for homeless same-sex couples. Transgender people are not allowed to choose with which gender they are
more comfortable living in the shelter system. Abuse and harassment of LGBT homeless people is rampant in the
shelter system. Most domestic violence shelters do not accept gay men or transgender8people. There has been also a
lack of any comprehensive plan for long-term housing for people with AIDS . Homeless LGBT youth are without
economic support, often engage in drug use and risky sexual behaviors, and often develop mental health disorders.
Homeless LGBT youth miss out on education and social support during critical formative years—more than half of
homeless LGBT youth report experiencing discrimination from peers.
2. Psychological Distress :-LGBT people face considerable levels of stigmatization, discrimination and
harassment in their daily lives. The majorities of LGBT people learn to cope with this, particularly when they have the
support of family and friends, and participate with LGBT organizations and social networks. However, a significant number
of LGBT people, most particularly younger LGBT people, had to cope with stigmatization, discrimination and harassment
without support. Many also faced additional stress from experiences such as very high levels of homophobic bullying in
schools and physical and verbal attacks. This had a negative impact on their mental health, leading to significant levels of
psychological distress, self-harm and suicidality. LGBT teenagers can be particularly isolated, given that many will be
exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity without any support. At this time of negotiating their journey to
adulthood, a critical period of social and emotional development, they can be particularly vulnerable.
Experiences that could negatively impact mental health: