What the heck does GLBTQI mean?!?!?

Question

It used to be that I was just "gay." then, to be politically correct (gag!), things were identified as being "gay AND lesbian." befroe long, the B & T of "bisexual" and "trangendered" were added in, so now I as a gay man am lumped into having to be identified with pre-op boys in dresses. I just want to say right now that I as a gay man have nothing in common with someone who wishes to change their gender, but now I have to be lumped into the same category because I am gay!

And NOW, my church, MCCLA, identifies itself as a "GLBTQI" church! Okay, I have NO idea what the living freak "QI" is supposed to mean, but now I am lumped into the same category as that!

So, I know what "GLBT" is supposed to mean, but what the heck is "QI" all of a sudden? And why am I being forced into being categorized as something I am NOT?

Answer 1

In, GLBTQI, G stands for gay, L stands for lesbian, B stands for bisexual, T stands for transsexual/transgender/transvestite, Q stands for queer/questioning, and I stands for intersexual (as in born with mixed gender characteristics).

I understand your being upset, but you have to realize that the gay subculture has, through time, become a place of safety for other non-mainstream sexual subcultures. We are often the subjects of ridicule and misunderstanding, and have many of the same experiences, so we band together and fight for understanding and acceptance of everyone, in all our glorious diversity. Well, some of us do . . . and others, not so much, as your post goes to show. Leatherfolk, BDSM practicioners, 'queer straights', and tons of other people have found shelter under the umbrella of GLBTQI, not because we want to lump everyone together, but to provide areas of something in common, which is our non-mainstream sexuality and gender expression.

I hope that makes sense. Nobody is forcing your categorization; GLBTQI doesn't imply you're all of these categories, but part of one of them, which is true. My advice is to take a big dose of humble pie and realize that you can assert your individuality and difference from the LBTQI while still being respectful and kind and understanding.

Answer 2

It's all getting ridiculous. Why don't we just add 7 or 8 more letters to this? Its about Gay rights. All these stupid titles is weakening the movement as a whole.

Answer 3

Well I don't agree with your tone or your opinion about how terrible it is that we're all lumped together. But I do agree that this pc thing is getting out of hand.

Q stands for either questioning or queer. At my school they actually made it a point to put in 2 Qs. Drove me crazy.

I stands for intersexed.

At my school we also had a P for pansexual, and a few other letters. It was a bit much if I do say so myself. I would rather that an actual umbrella term were thought up. Queer doesn't seem to do it because not everyone likes that word.

(Edit)

I used to call us the rainbow people. I think I'm going to have to start calling us the alphabet people. It will be easier than having to say LGBTPQQI. The whole point of acronyms is to make it easier to pronounce.... :)

Answer 4

I don't really get your question. I mean ok,your gay. This "category" on Yahoo Answers is for people of the same tpye of intrests. We may not all want to dress up like women,but what we do have in common is we are not straight. The majority of people are straight. They just put us all in one category. It doesn't matter to me. Like if we had a category for people. There would be white,black,indian,mixed. We are all just people with diffrent intrests and desires. As for QI. I have no idea. Ask your church. Don't forget-It's really only you who can label yourself. As long as you know who you are.....Who cares about everyone else. We ALL basically want the same thing. To be loved and accepted(in a skirt or not.)

Answer 5

Q mean one of two things- queer or questioning.
I know I thought it was weird to. but after talking to some people, especially other bisexuals, I have grown fond of the term 'queer'.

trans people have to be lumped with gay people- they don't behavior like 'normal straight' people and aren't accepted there.

I is interesexed, which isn't a sexuality but their sexuality is not clean cut, thus they are with us

in total, depends on where you live the acronym is

Gay
Lesbian
Bisexual
Trangendered
Queer/questioning
Pansexual
Intersexed
Allies

Answer 6

The "Q" is for Questioning. I've never seen the "I" before. I think the point of extending the acronym was to be as inclusive as possible. Its not that anyone is trying to call you all of those things, its just that they want to identify that particular organization as being open to anyone who is ANY of those things. You don't have to have anything in common with someone who is one of those things that you are not. But your church wants to welcome you all, regardless of your similarities or differences.

Answer 7

Maybe the QI stands for queer-identified?

Answer 8

This is the reason I suggested this alternative OGSM a while ago... "Outside the Gender/Sex Mainstream"... or OMGS -- people are divided on whether or not the resemblance to "orgasm" is a good or bad thing...

I posted a couple of these on DeviantArt http://woohooligan.deviantart.com/art/A-New-Name-155669181

Here s the OMGS version: http://woohooligan.deviantart.com/art/OMGS-155883633

And I ve seen it mentioned in a few places since then:
http://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/50134-ogsm/
http://www.asexuality.org/en/topic/54702-ogsm/

Answer 9

They're all in the same category because they're all people who fall outside of what is "normal" for their sex/gender. They also have similar struggles in life.

Answer 10

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer Inclined.

Labels, gotta love 'em.