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Diversity Collective Ventura County is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is solely dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas. Driven by our board of directors and highly qualified staff, we strengthen our community by providing programs, resources, and outreach events. Diversity Collective's Community Resource Center is a safe, inclusive, and affirming space for all LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

Mission:
Providing advocacy, visibility, safety, and wellness for the LGBTQ+ community.

Vision:
A Ventura County community where LGBTQ+ individuals, inclusive of all intersecting identities, have immediate access to needed services, are celebrated, and treated with equity and respect.

Our Values:

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About Diversity Collective Ventura County About Us News & Updates Community Resource Center Meet Our Team Meet Our Sponsors Contact Us About Us Diversity Collective Ventura County is a 501(c)3...

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Our efforts are possible because of caring, compassionate individuals and organizations who believe victims deserve better and brighter futures, without violence and abuse. Thank you for choosing to support The Coalition and the families and communities we serve.

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Coalition For Family Harmony | LGBTQ+ SA & IPV Counseling Program

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Our efforts are possible because of caring, compassionate individuals and organizations who believe victims deserve better and brighter futures, without violence and abuse. Thank you for choosing to support The Coalition and the families and communities we serve.

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We are Ventura County's LGBTQ community. We believe that all people deserve a diverse, inclusive, accepting and welcoming safe space. In lifting each other up even when it's hard, we build allies, opportunities and resources to live our best lives and help those around us do the same.

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You are welcome here. We are Ventura County's LGBTQ community. We believe that all people deserve a diverse, inclusive, accepting and welcoming safe space. In lifting each other up even when it's hard,...

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first person gender queer sexuality transgender bisexuality gay lgbtq

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Welcome to First Person! First Person is an exploration of gender identity and sexuality, and a weekly forum for covering LGBTQ-related news and issues. With...

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Be True and Be You: A Basic Guide for LGBTQ+ Youth

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A basic mental health guide for LGBTQ+ young adults.

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives

Read the Statement

Get involved and join your community, local, or state GLSEN chapter

GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more.

Recent Research

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

Research, Reports, and Briefs

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In this statement, GLSEN's National Student Council condemns police brutality and calls for greater support for Black lives Read the Statement GLSEN Chapters create LGBTQ-inclusive schools. Community-led chapters offer teacher trainings, student support, community outreach, and more. Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs Research, Reports, and Briefs

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GLAAD | GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance.

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Political Equality Federation Human Rights Campaign (HRC) National LGBTQ Task Force Victory Fund Bisexual BIENESTAR BiNetUSA Bisexual.org Bisexual Resource Center Youth Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) GSA Network LGBTQ Student Resources & Support Point Foundation Safe Schools Coalition The Trevor Project Military The American Military Partner Association (AMDA) American Veterans for Equal Rights

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California Pride Festivals, Parades and Events

FRESNO: Bowling for Pride April 8, 2018
fresnorainbowpride.com

LAGUNA BEACH: West Street BeachSpring Break at America's Favorite Gay Beach April 22, 2018, 11 a.m.
1 Camel Point Drive
Laguna Beach, CA
facebook.com/WestStreetBeach
There will be food, games, giveaways, and more. Mark your calendar and get ready for your favorite Gay Beach! Hosted once again by Frankie Ciccone.

LONG BEACH Pride FestivalMay 19-20, 2018 Marina Green Park
386 E Shoreline Dr - Intersection Pine Ave and Shoreline Dr, Long Beach, CA, 90802
$22 festival, longbeachpride.com
Free to see Parade, Route - Ocean Blvd.; from Lindero to Alamitos Blvd.
Parade Step off Begins at 10:30 a.m.
Festival - Marina Green Park, & Rainbow Lagoon, Long Beach, California
Festival Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. -- may change
Festival Headliner is Sheila E.

FRESNO: Rainbow Pride Parade & Festival June 2, 2018, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parade: 10 a.m., Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to attend parade. Festival $5 approx. Fresno, Tower District (Olive & Wishon Avenues)
fresnorainbowpride.com

Come join Fresno's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender + (GLBT+) Community, as well as visitors from all over the Central Valley. This is perhaps the single biggest event in the GLBT+ Community annually, as well as the most elaborate in its organization and preparation, for Fresno and its surrounding communities.

SACRAMENTO: June 10, 2018, 11 a.m. at Capitol Mall$10 festival, sacramentopride.org
Sacramento Pride consists of a parade and festival. The parade is free and starts at 11:00 am on 3rd and N
Street and ends on 10th and N Street.
Sacramento Pride consists of a parade and festival. The parade is free and starts at 11 a.m. traveling towards the Capital along N Street between 3rd and 10th. The festival costs $10 per person (children five and under are free) and is located on Capitol Mall between 3rd and 7th streets and goes from 11am-5pm.

SANTA CRUZ: Kresge presents PRIDE Sunday May 12, 2018, 12 Noonevents.ucsc.edu/event/3978
Celebrate the LGBTQIA communities and their many allies with a campus wide parade that starts at the Quarry Plaza at noon. March through the campus, meeting up with community members as we go, on our way to our final destination Kresge Lower Street. Festival includes entertainment, speakers, food, crafts and more. All are welcome to this inclusive and upbeat event. Location details: Quarry Plaza is in front of the Bay Tree Bookstore, central campus. Kresge College Lower Street is in the middle of the residential college on the west side of campus Admission: Free Admission. Parade 12 - 2 p.m. Festival 2 - 5 p.m. Started in 1971, Kresge College is one of 10 residential colleges in the University of California, Santa Cruz. Known for its all-apartment housing style, Kresge also houses a Food Co-op, Music Co-op, Photo Co-op, and Garden Co-op.

DAVIS: Davis Pride May 20, 2018, 8 a.m. -11 p.m. davispride.org
Free community festival in Central Park, includes Run/ Walk and two stages of live entertainment and more.

SANTA CRUZ: Pride Parade, Festival June 3, 2018, Parade at 11 a.m. diversitycenter.org | santacruzpride.org
Annual Santa Cruz Pride PARADE and FESTIVAL
Parade: kicks off at 11 a.m., starts at Pacific Avenue and Church Street in downtown Santa Cruz. Ends at Cathart & Center
Festival: 11a.m.-4 p.m., Cathart & Cedar - Lincoln

SAN MATEO: Pride San Mateo County Without Borders June 16, 2018, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.facebook.com/PRIDEInitiativeSMC
smchealth.org/pride
Celebrate the annual San Mateo County Pride Festival at San Mateo Central Park with a fun-filled day of live music, family friendly activities, local art and merchandise, entertainment, and local resources. This is a family friendly, free event and everyone is welcome! Last year's theme was Pride without Borders: Embracing Culture and Diversity, which emphasizes the importance of recognizing how culture, race, marginalized sexual orientation, and gender identity overlap and affect our community. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, and Two-Spirited (LGBTQQI2S) Pride Celebration provides an opportunity for all communities to come together, learn from each other, and share a common experience.

WEST HOLLYWOOD: L.A. Pride June 9-10, 2018, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. (Christopher Street Production)
PRIDE Parade June 10, 2018, 11 a.m.$25-35, VIP $250-400, lapride.org
Route: Santa Monica Boulevard West Hollywood, Crescent Heights Blvd. to Robertson Blvd.
Festival acts include Kehlani | Tove Lo | Eve | Kim Petras | Icona Pop | Keri Hilson | Natalia Jimenez
Parade: with over 400,000 participants, spectators and marchers, this emotionally charged experience, gathers together a colorful and diverse look at our creative community showcasing all that is great about the TLGB community. Attendees should plan to arrive early. Traffic will be closed on Santa Monica Blvd. between Fairfax Ave. and Doheny Dr. starting at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday. Santa Monica Blvd. will re-open immediately at the end of the end of the Parade, which may be as late as 4 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO: Pride June 23-24, 2018
Parade is June 24, 2018, 10: 30 a.m.
The Parade kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at Market & Beale and ends at Market & 8th Street in downtown San Francisco
Celebration at Civic Center Plaza
Saturday, June 23, 2018, 12-6 p.m.
Sunday, June 24, 2018, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Multiple stages offer varied entertainment from Hip Hop and DJ to Leather, Tantra & Dance or Women's Stage.

CENTRAL COAST SLO Pride July TBAslopride.com

SAN DIEGO Pride July 14-15, 2018
Parade July 14, 2018, 11 a.m.
sdpride.org
Location: The parade begins at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, proceeds west on University Avenue to 6th Avenue, turns south on 6th Avenue, ending at Balboa Drive and Upas Street.
Route Length: 1.1 miles
Cost: This is a free community event.
The annual San Diego LGBT Pride Parade is the 4th largest in the United States attracting over 300,000 cheering spectators, supportive organizations, businesses, and significant media participation. Held in Balboa Park, the festival includes over 90 acts across four stages, including breakthrough LGBTQ acts from international and local artists.

SANTA ANA: OC Pride Festival & Parade June 23, 2018 Noon - prideoc.com
OC Pride will return to the streets of Downtown Santa Ana

VENTURA COUNTY - Ventura County Beachside Pride Festival August 17-19, 2018
vcpride.org | diversitycollectivevc.org/pride.html
The festival includes AIDS Walk Ventura | Ventura Pride | Diversity Gala. Sponsorship opportunities.

SANTA BARBARA: Pacific Pride Festival August 25, 2018, 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Chase Palm Park
Free and open to all ages, pacificpridefoundation.org
The festival features a full day of live entertainment, vendors, food booths, activities and community member support. The mission of the Pacific Pride Festival is to build community, foster visibility, and celebrate sexuality & gender diversity, all while raising funds for Pacific Pride Foundation's LGBTQ+ programs and services in Santa Barbara County.

CHULA VISTA: South Bay Pride Art & Music Festival September 8, 2018, 12-7 p.m.
Bayside Park
Chula Vista, CA
southbaypride.org

OAKLAND: Oakland Pride September 9, 2018
$10 festival, oaklandpride.org
It's a parade, festival and celebration all in one! Parade starts and finishes on Broadway St.

EUREKA: Humboldt Pride September 16, 2018 is likely date - needs confirmation
humboldtpride.org The Pride Parade travels through Old Town Eureka and ending at Halvorsen Park to kick off the annual Pride Festival. Parade begins at 1st & C Streets, Eureka Parade route Old Town Eureka, Specific Route below, subject to change

REDDING: Redding LGBTQ + Pride Festival 2018 TBA
September 23, 2017, 12-5 p.m. Pride March 12 Noon from City Hall to Cypress Street Bridge & back
The Sculpture Park
777 Cypress Ave
Redding, CA
reddingpride.org
We Stand Strong Together for our LGBTQ+ community, loved ones, and allies.

PALM SPRINGS Pride November 2-4, 2018
Parade November 4, 2018, 10 a.m. Route: Travels along Palm Canyon Drive in Downtown Palm Springs
pspride.org
Palm Springs LGBT Pride

OCEANSIDE: Pride by the Beach October 13, 2018, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Oceanside Civic CenterThis annual event features L.G.B.T. pride festivities, music, food and entertainment. Sponsored by North County LGBTQ Resource Center. When: Saturday, Where: Pier View Way & Ditmar, Oceanside, CA. northcountypride.com

ANAHEIM: Gay Days Anaheim 2018 TBA
October 6-8, 2017gaydaysanaheiminfo.com
Disneyland discounts

SAN FRANCISCO: Castro Street FairOctober 7, 2018, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Held on 1st Sunday in OctoberCastro District
Market & Castro Streets and surrounding area
San Francisco, CA
castrostreetfair.org
Suggest donation $10
Between Market and 19th Streets, and on 18th Street between Noe and Diamond Streets multiple stages of entertainment; along with food and beverage vendors and hundreds of arts & crafts and community organization exhibitors.

PASADENA: San Gabriel Valley Pride 2018 TBA
October 14, 2017, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.Central Park
275 S. Raymond
Pasadena, CA
sgvpride.org
San Gabriel Valley Pride, A Different Kind of Pride features: Author's Forum | Children's Area | Classic Car Show | Community Art Project | Cultural Entertainment | Pet Area & Adoption | Health Fair | Wine Tasting (21+)

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California LGBT Gay Pride Festivals and Parades

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FRESNO: Bowling for Pride April 8, 2018fresnorainbowpride.com LAGUNA BEACH: West Street BeachSpring Break at America's Favorite Gay Beach April 22, 2018, 11 a.m. 1 Camel Point Drive Laguna Beach, CA facebook.com/WestStreetBeach There will be food, games, giveaways, and more. Mark your calendar and get ready for your favorite Gay Beach!

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as "Gay Pride Day," but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the "day" soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.

In 1994, a coalition of education-based organizations in the United States designated October as LGBT History Month. In 1995, a resolution passed by the General Assembly of the National Education Association included LGBT History Month within a list of commemorative months. National Coming Out Day (October 11), as well as the first "March on Washington" in 1979, are commemorated in the LGBTQ community during LGBT History Month.

Annual LGBTQ+ Pride Traditions

The first Pride march in New York City was held on June 28, 1970, on the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Primary sources available at the Library of Congress provide detailed information about how this first Pride march was planned and the reasons why activists felt so strongly that it should exist. Looking through the Lili Vincenz and Frank Kameny Papers in the Library's Manuscript Division, researchers can find planning documents, correspondence, flyers, ephemera and more from the first Pride marches in 1970. This, the first U.S. Gay Pride Week and March, was meant to give the community a chance to gather together to "...commemorate the Christopher Street Uprisings of last summer in which thousands of homosexuals went to the streets to demonstrate against centuries of abuse ... from government hostility to employment and housing discrimination, Mafia control of Gay bars, and anti-Homosexual laws" (Christopher Street Liberation Day Committee Fliers, Franklin Kameny Papers). The concept behind the initial Pride march came from members of the Eastern Regional Conference of Homophile Organizations (ERCHO), who had been organizing an annual July 4th demonstration (1965-1969) known as the " Reminder Day Pickets," at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. At the ERCHO Conference in November 1969, the 13 homophile organizations in attendance voted to pass a resolution to organize a national annual demonstration, to be called Christopher Street Liberation Day.

As members of the Mattachine Society of Washington, Frank Kameny and Lilli Vincenz participated in the discussion, planning, and promotion of the first Pride along with activists in New York City and other homophile groups belonging to ERCHO.

By all estimates, there were three to five thousand marchers at the inaugural Pride in New York City, and today marchers in New York City number in the millions. Since 1970, LGBTQ+ people have continued to gather together in June to march with Pride and demonstrate for equal rights.

Watch documentary footage of the first Pride march, "Gay and Proud," a documentary by activist Lilli Vincenz:

Gay and Proud

Footage of one of the earliest Gay Pride demonstration marches, the first Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade, held in New York City, New York, on June 28, 1970, to commemorate the first anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.

Executive and Legislative Documents

The Law Library of Congress has compiled guides to commemorative observations, including a comprehensive inventory of the Public Laws, Presidential Proclamations and congressional resolutions related to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender and Queer Pride Month.

Images Used on this Site

[Arthur Laurents, director La Cage aux Folles]

Walt Whitman
1819-1892

Lilli Vincenz
(The Ladder), January 1966, Lilli Vincenz Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

Frank Kameny (in suit), June 1948, Box 137, Folder 10, Frank Kameny Papers, Manuscript Division, Library of Congress

Pauli Murray of New York, winner of a 1946 Mademoiselle Merit Award for signal achievement in law

Bayard Rustin
1912 - 1987

Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announces the Library's acquisition of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Archive during a ceremony in the Great Hall, November 20, 2019. Photo by Shawn Miller/Library of Congress External .

The cast of Queer Eye discuss LGBTQ+ youth issues during a conversation with moderator Jonathan Capehart, April 3, 2019. Photo by Shawn Miller.

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About | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month | Library of Congress

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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

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Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes

Cite This Article

American Psychological Association. (2008, October 29). Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/orientation

Since 1975, APA has called on psychologists to take the lead in removing the stigma of mental illness that has long been associated with lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations. The discipline of psychology is concerned with the well-being of people and groups and therefore with threats to that well-being. The prejudice and discrimination that people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual regularly experience have been shown to have negative psychological effects. This page provides accurate information for those who want to better understand sexual orientation and the impact of prejudice and discrimination on those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

What is sexual orientation?

Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes. Sexual orientation also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions. Research over several decades has demonstrated that sexual orientation ranges along a continuum, from exclusive attraction to the other sex to exclusive attraction to the same sex.

However, sexual orientation is usually discussed in terms of three categories:

heterosexual (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of the other sex)

gay/lesbian (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to members of one's own sex)

bisexual (having emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions to both men and women)

This range of behaviors and attractions has been described in various cultures and nations throughout the world. Many cultures use identity labels to describe people who express these attractions. In the United States the most frequent labels are lesbians (women attracted to women), gay men (men attracted to men), and bisexual people (men or women attracted to both sexes). However, some people may use different labels or none at all.

Sexual orientation is distinct from other components of sex and gender, including biological sex (the anatomical, physiological, and genetic characteristics associated with being male or female), gender identity (the psychological sense of being male or female),* and social gender role (the cultural norms that define feminine and masculine behavior).

Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as if it were solely a characteristic of an individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age. This perspective is incomplete because sexual orientation is defined in terms of relationships with others. People express their sexual orientation through behaviors with others, including such simple actions as holding hands or kissing. Thus, sexual orientation is closely tied to the intimate personal relationships that meet deeply felt needs for love, attachment, and intimacy. In addition to sexual behaviors, these bonds include nonsexual physical affection between partners, shared goals and values, mutual support, and ongoing commitment.

Therefore, sexual orientation is not merely a personal characteristic within an individual. Rather, one's sexual orientation defines the group of people in which one is likely to find the satisfying and fulfilling romantic relationships that are an essential component of personal identity for many people.

* This page focuses on sexual orientation. Answers to your questions about transgender individuals and gender identity addresses gender identity.

How do people know if they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual?

According to current scientific and professional understanding, the core attractions that form the basis for adult sexual orientation typically emerge between middle childhood and early adolescence. These patterns of emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction may arise without any prior sexual experience. People can be celibate and still know their sexual orientation-be it lesbian, gay, bisexual, or heterosexual.

Different lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have very different experiences regarding their sexual orientation. Some people know that they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual for a long time before they actually pursue relationships with other people. Some people engage in sexual activity (with same-sex and/or other-sex partners) before assigning a clear label to their sexual orientation. Prejudice and discrimination make it difficult for many people to come to terms with their sexual orientation identities, so claiming a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity may be a slow process.

What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?

There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation.

What role do prejudice and discrimination play in the lives of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people?

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in the United States encounter extensive prejudice, discrimination, and violence because of their sexual orientation. Intense prejudice against lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people was widespread throughout much of the 20 th century. Public opinion studies over the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s routinely showed that, among large segments of the public, lesbian, gay, and bisexual people were the target of strongly held negative attitudes. More recently, public opinion has increasingly opposed sexual orientation discrimination, but expressions of hostility toward lesbians and gay men remain common in contemporary American society. Prejudice against bisexual people appears to exist at comparable levels. In fact, bisexual individuals may face discrimination from some lesbian and gay people as well as from heterosexual people.

Sexual orientation discrimination takes many forms. Severe antigay prejudice is reflected in the high rate of harassment and violence directed toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals in American society. Numerous surveys indicate that verbal harassment and abuse are nearly universal experiences among lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Also, discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people in employment and housing appears to remain widespread.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is another area in which prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have had negative effects. Early in the pandemic, the assumption that HIV/AIDS was a "gay disease" contributed to the delay in addressing the massive social upheaval that AIDS would generate. Gay and bisexual men have been disproportionately affected by this disease. The association of HIV/AIDS with gay and bisexual men and the inaccurate belief that some people held that all gay and bisexual men were infected served to further stigmatize lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.

What is the psychological impact of prejudice and discrimination?

Prejudice and discrimination have social and personal impact. On the social level, prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are reflected in the everyday stereotypes of members of these groups. These stereotypes persist even though they are not supported by evidence, and they are often used to excuse unequal treatment of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. For example, limitations on job opportunities, parenting, and relationship recognition are often justified by stereotypic assumptions about lesbian, gay, and bisexual people.

On an individual level, such prejudice and discrimination may also have negative consequences, especially if lesbian, gay, and bisexual people attempt to conceal or deny their sexual orientation. Although many lesbians and gay men learn to cope with the social stigma against homosexuality, this pattern of prejudice can have serious negative effects on health and well-being. Individuals and groups may have the impact of stigma reduced or worsened by other characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, religion, or disability. Some lesbian, gay, and bisexual people may face less of a stigma. For others, race, sex, religion, disability, or other characteristics may exacerbate the negative impact of prejudice and discrimination.

The widespread prejudice, discrimination, and violence to which lesbians and gay men are often subjected are significant mental health concerns. Sexual prejudice, sexual orientation discrimination, and antigay violence are major sources of stress for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Although social support is crucial in coping with stress, antigay attitudes and discrimination may make it difficult for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people to find such support.

Is homosexuality a mental disorder?

No, lesbian, gay, and bisexual orientations are not disorders. Research has found no inherent association between any of these sexual orientations and psychopathology. Both heterosexual behavior and homosexual behavior are normal aspects of human sexuality. Both have been documented in many different cultures and historical eras. Despite the persistence of stereotypes that portray lesbian, gay, and bisexual people as disturbed, several decades of research and clinical experience have led all mainstream medical and mental health organizations in this country to conclude that these orientations represent normal forms of human experience. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual relationships are normal forms of human bonding. Therefore, these mainstream organizations long ago abandoned classifications of homosexuality as a mental disorder.

What about therapy intended to change sexual orientation from gay to straight?

All major national mental health organizations have officially expressed concerns about therapies promoted to modify sexual orientation. To date, there has been no scientifically adequate research to show that therapy aimed at changing sexual orientation (sometimes called reparative or conversion therapy) is safe or effective. Furthermore, it seems likely that the promotion of change therapies reinforces stereotypes and contributes to a negative climate for lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons. This appears to be especially likely for lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals who grow up in more conservative religious settings.

Helpful responses of a therapist treating an individual who is troubled about her or his same sex attractions include helping that person actively cope with social prejudices against homosexuality, successfully resolve issues associated with and resulting from internal conflicts, and actively lead a happy and satisfying life. Mental health professional organizations call on their members to respect a person's (patient's) right to self-determination; be sensitive to the patient's race, culture, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, socioeconomic status, language, and disability status when working with that patient; and eliminate biases based on these factors.

What is "coming out" and why is it important?

The phrase "coming out" is used to refer to several aspects of lesbian, gay, and bisexual persons' experiences: self-awareness of same-sex attractions; the telling of one or a few people about these attractions; widespread disclosure of same-sex attractions; and identification with the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community. Many people hesitate to come out because of the risks of meeting prejudice and discrimination. Some choose to keep their identity a secret; some choose to come out in limited circumstances; some decide to come out in very public ways.

Coming out is often an important psychological step for lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Research has shown that feeling positively about one's sexual orientation and integrating it into one's life fosters greater well-being and mental health. This integration often involves disclosing one's identity to others; it may also entail participating in the gay community. Being able to discuss one's sexual orientation with others also increases the availability of social support, which is crucial to mental health and psychological well-being. Like heterosexuals, lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people benefit from being able to share their lives with and receive support from family, friends, and acquaintances. Thus, it is not surprising that lesbians and gay men who feel they must conceal their sexual orientation report more frequent mental health concerns than do lesbians and gay men who are more open; they may even have more physical health problems.

What about sexual orientation and coming out during adolescence?

Adolescence is a period when people separate from their parents and families and begin to develop autonomy. Adolescence can be a period of experimentation, and many youths may question their sexual feelings. Becoming aware of sexual feelings is a normal developmental task of adolescence. Sometimes adolescents have same-sex feelings or experiences that cause confusion about their sexual orientation. This confusion appears to decline over time, with different outcomes for different individuals.

Some adolescents desire and engage in same-sex behavior but do not identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, sometimes because of the stigma associated with a nonheterosexual orientation. Some adolescents experience continuing feelings of same-sex attraction but do not engage in any sexual activity or may engage in heterosexual behavior for varying lengths of time. Because of the stigma associated with same-sex attractions, many youths experience same-sex attraction for many years before becoming sexually active with partners of the same sex or disclosing their attractions to others.

For some young people, this process of exploring same-sex attractions leads to a lesbian, gay, or bisexual identity. For some, acknowledging this identity can bring an end to confusion. When these young people receive the support of parents and others, they are often able to live satisfying and healthy lives and move through the usual process of adolescent development. The younger a person is when they acknowledge a nonheterosexual identity, the fewer internal and external resources they are likely to have. Therefore, youths who come out early are particularly in need of support from parents and others.

Young people who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual may be more likely to face certain problems, including being bullied and having negative experiences in school. These experiences are associated with negative outcomes, such as suicidal thoughts and high risk activities, such as unprotected sex and alcohol and drug use. On the other hand, many lesbian, gay, and bisexual youths appear to experience no greater level of health or mental health risks. Where problems occur, they are closely associated with experiences of bias and discrimination in their environments. Support from important people in the teen's life can provide a very helpful counterpart to bias and discrimination.

Support in the family, at school, and in the broader society helps to reduce risk and encourage healthy development. Youth need caring and support, appropriately high expectations, and the encouragement to participate actively with peers. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth who do well despite stress-like all adolescents who do well despite stress-tend to be those who are socially competent, who have good problem-solving skills, who have a sense of autonomy and purpose, and who look forward to the future.

In a related vein, some young people are presumed to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual because they don't abide by traditional gender roles (i.e., the cultural beliefs about what is appropriate "masculine" and "feminine" appearance and behavior). Whether these youths identify as heterosexual or as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, they encounter prejudice and discrimination based on the presumption that they are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. The best support for these young people is school and social climates that do not tolerate discriminatory language and behavior.

At what age should lesbian, gay, or bisexual youths come out?

There is no simple or absolute answer to this question. The risks and benefits of coming out are different for youths in different circumstances. Some young people live in families where support for their sexual orientation is clear and stable; these youths may encounter less risk in coming out, even at a young age. Young people who live in less supportive families may face more risks in coming out. All young people who come out may experience bias, discrimination, or even violence in their schools, social groups, work places, and faith communities. Supportive families, friends, and schools are important buffers against the negative impacts of these experiences.

What is the nature of same-sex relationships?

Research indicates that many lesbians and gay men want and have committed relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 40% and 60% of gay men and between 45% and 80% of lesbians are currently involved in a romantic relationship. Further, data from the 2000 U.S. Census indicate that of the 5.5 million couples who were living together but not married, about 1 in 9 (594,391) had partners of the same sex. Although the census data are almost certainly an underestimate of the actual number of cohabiting same-sex couples, they indicate that there are 301,026 male same-sex households and 293,365 female same-sex households in the United States.

Stereotypes about lesbian, gay, and bisexual people have persisted, even though studies have found them to be misleading. For instance, one stereotype is that the relationships of lesbians and gay men are dysfunctional and unhappy. However, studies have found same-sex and heterosexual couples to be equivalent to each other on measures of relationship satisfaction and commitment.

A second stereotype is that the relationships of lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people are unstable. However, despite social hostility toward same-sex relationships, research shows that many lesbians and gay men form durable relationships. For example, survey data indicate that between 18% and 28% of gay couples and between 8% and 21% of lesbian couples have lived together 10 or more years. It is also reasonable to suggest that the stability of same-sex couples might be enhanced if partners from same-sex couples enjoyed the same levels of support and recognition for their relationships as heterosexual couples do (i.e., legal rights and responsibilities associated with marriage).

A third common misconception is that the goals and values of lesbian and gay couples are different from those of heterosexual couples. In fact, research has found that the factors that influence relationship satisfaction, commitment, and stability are remarkably similar for both same-sex cohabiting couples and heterosexual married couples.

Far less research is available on the relationship experiences of people who identify as bisexual. If these individuals are in a same-sex relationship, they are likely to face the same prejudice and discrimination that members of lesbian and gay couples face. If they are in a heterosexual relationship, their experiences may be quite similar to those of people who identify as heterosexual unless they choose to come out as bisexual; in that case, they will likely face some of the same prejudice and discrimination that lesbian and gay individuals encounter.

Can lesbians and gay men be good parents?

Many lesbians and gay men are parents; others wish to be parents. In the 2000 U.S. Census, 33% of female same-sex couple households and 22% of male same-sex couple households reported at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. Although comparable data are not available, many single lesbians and gay men are also parents, and many same-sex couples are part-time parents to children whose primary residence is elsewhere.

As the social visibility and legal status of lesbian and gay parents have increased, some people have raised concerns about the well-being of children in these families. Most of these questions are based on negative stereotypes about lesbians and gay men. The majority of research on this topic asks whether children raised by lesbian and gay parents are at a disadvantage when compared to children raised by heterosexual parents. These are the most common questions and answers:

1. Do children of lesbian and gay parents have more problems with sexual identity than do children of heterosexual parents?
For instance, do these children develop problems in gender identity and/or in gender role behavior? The answer from research is clear: sexual and gender identities (including gender identity, gender-role behavior, and sexual orientation) develop in much the same way among children of lesbian mothers as they do among children of heterosexual parents. Few studies are available regarding children of gay fathers.

2. Do children raised by lesbian or gay parents have problems in personal development in areas other than sexual identity?
For example, are the children of lesbian or gay parents more vulnerable to mental breakdown, do they have more behavior problems, or are they less psychologically healthy than other children? Again, studies of personality, self-concept, and behavior problems show few differences between children of lesbian mothers and children of heterosexual parents. Few studies are available regarding children of gay fathers.

3. Are children of lesbian and gay parents likely to have problems with social relationships?
For example, will they be teased or otherwise mistreated by their peers? Once more, evidence indicates that children of lesbian and gay parents have normal social relationships with their peers and adults. The picture that emerges from this research shows that children of gay and lesbian parents enjoy a social life that is typical of their age group in terms of involvement with peers, parents, family members, and friends.

4. Are these children more likely to be sexually abused by a parent or by a parent's friends or acquaintances?
There is no scientific support for fears about children of lesbian or gay parents being sexually abused by their parents or their parents' gay, lesbian, or bisexual friends or acquaintances.

In summary, social science has shown that the concerns often raised about children of lesbian and gay parents, concerns that are generally grounded in prejudice against and stereotypes about gay people, are unfounded. Overall, the research indicates that the children of lesbian and gay parents do not differ markedly from the children of heterosexual parents in their development, adjustment, or overall well-being.

What can people do to diminish prejudice and discrimination against lesbian, gay, and bisexual people?

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who want to help reduce prejudice and discrimination can be open about their sexual orientation, even as they take necessary precautions to be as safe as possible. They can examine their own belief systems for the presence of antigay stereotypes. They can make use of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual community, as well as supportive heterosexual people, for support.

Heterosexual people who wish to help reduce prejudice and discrimination can examine their own response to antigay stereotypes and prejudice. They can make a point of coming to know lesbian, gay, and bisexual people, and they can work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals and communities to combat prejudice and discrimination. Heterosexual individuals are often in a good position to ask other heterosexual people to consider the prejudicial or discriminatory nature of their beliefs and actions. Heterosexual allies can encourage nondiscrimination policies that include sexual orientation. They can work to make coming out safe. When lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people feel free to make public their sexual orientation, heterosexuals are given an opportunity to have personal contact with openly gay people and to perceive them as individuals.

Studies of prejudice, including prejudice against gay people, consistently show that prejudice declines when members of the majority group interact with members of a minority group. In keeping with this general pattern, one of the most powerful influences on heterosexuals' acceptance of gay people is having personal contact with an openly gay person. Antigay attitudes are far less common among members of the population who have a close friend or family member who is lesbian or gay, especially if the gay person has directly come out to the heterosexual person.

Where can I find more information about homosexuality?

American Psychological Association
Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
750 First Street, NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
Website
Email

Mental Health America (formerly the National Mental Health Association)
2000 N. Beauregard Street, 6th Floor
Alexandria, VA 22311
Main Switchboard: (703) 684-7722
Toll-free: (800) 969-6MHA (6642)
TTY: (800) 433-5959
Fax: (703) 684-5968
Website

American Academy of Pediatrics
Division of Child and Adolescent Health
141 Northwest Point Boulevard
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
Office: (847) 228-5005
Fax: (847) 228-5097
Website

Suggested bibliographic citation

American Psychological Association. (2008, October 29). Understanding sexual orientation and homosexuality. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/orientation

Other versions

Pamphlets in English and Spanish may be purchased in bundles of 25 for $4.00 plus shipping by calling (800) 374-2721 or by email (the others are only available electronically at this time).

This material may be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part without permission provided that the reproduced content includes the original bibliographic citation and the following statement is included: Copyright © 2008 American Psychological Association

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Sexual orientation refers to an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes.

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Transgender is an umbrella terms for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.

Cite this

American Psychological Association. (2023, June 6). Answers to your questions about transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression. https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/transgender-people-gender-identity-gender-expression

According to the APA Style guide, the term "transsexual" is largely outdated, but some people identify with it; this term should be used only for an individual who specifically claims it. While the term "transsexual" appears multiple times throughout this document, APA's Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity is undertaking a systematic review of its use along with other terms. In the meantime, please refer to the Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Transgender and Gender Nonconforming People (PDF, 472KB) for more up-to-date language regarding transgender and gender nonconforming people.

Transgender is an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth. Gender identity refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female or something else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice or body characteristics. "Trans" is sometimes used as shorthand for "transgender." While transgender is generally a good term to use, not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-nonconforming will identify as a transgender person. The ways that transgender people are talked about in popular culture, academia and science are constantly changing, particularly as individuals' awareness, knowledge and openness about transgender people and their experiences grow.

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Sex is assigned at birth, refers to one's biological status as either male or female, and is associated primarily with physical attributes such as chromosomes, hormone prevalence, and external and internal anatomy. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for boys and men or girls and women. These influence the ways that people act, interact, and feel about themselves. While aspects of biological sex are similar across different cultures, aspects of gender may differ.

Various conditions that lead to atypical development of physical sex characteristics are collectively referred to as intersex conditions.

Have transgender people always existed?

Transgender persons have been documented in many indigenous, Western, and Eastern cultures and societies from antiquity until the present day. However, the meaning of gender nonconformity may vary from culture to culture.

What are some categories or types of transgender people?

Many identities fall under the transgender umbrella. The term transsexual refers to people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex. Often, transsexual people alter or wish to alter their bodies through hormones, surgery, and other means to make their bodies as congruent as possible with their gender identities. This process of transition through medical intervention is often referred to as sex or gender reassignment, but more recently is also referred to as gender affirmation. People who were assigned female, but identify and live as male and alter or wish to alter their bodies through medical intervention to more closely resemble their gender identity are known as transsexual men or transmen (also known as female-to-male or FTM). Conversely, people who were assigned male, but identify and live as female and alter or wish to alter their bodies through medical intervention to more closely resemble their gender identity are known as transsexual women or transwomen (also known as male-to-female or MTF). Some individuals who transition from one gender to another prefer to be referred to as a man or a woman, rather than as transgender.

People who cross-dress wear clothing that is traditionally or stereotypically worn by another gender in their culture. They vary in how completely they cross-dress, from one article of clothing to fully cross-dressing. Those who cross-dress are usually comfortable with their assigned sex and do not wish to change it. Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to erotic activity. Cross-dressing is not indicative of sexual orientation. (See Answers to Your Questions: For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality for more information on sexual orientation.) The degree of societal acceptance for cross-dressing varies for males and females. In some cultures, one gender may be given more latitude than another for wearing clothing associated with a different gender.

The term drag queens generally refers to men who dress as women for the purpose of entertaining others at bars, clubs, or other events. The term drag kings refers to women who dress as men for the purpose of entertaining others at bars, clubs, or other events.

Genderqueer is a term that some people use who identify their gender as falling outside the binary constructs of "male" and "female." They may define their gender as falling somewhere on a continuum between male and female, or they may define it as wholly different from these terms. They may also request that pronouns be used to refer to them that are neither masculine nor feminine, such as "zie" instead of "he" or "she," or "hir" instead of "his" or "her." Some genderqueer people do not identify as transgender.

Other categories of transgender people include androgynous, multigendered, gender nonconforming, third gender, and two-spirit people. Exact definitions of these terms vary from person to person and may change over time, but often include a sense of blending or alternating genders. Some people who use these terms to describe themselves see traditional, binary concepts of gender as restrictive.

Why are some people transgender?

There is no single explanation for why some people are transgender. The diversity of transgender expression and experiences argues against any simple or unitary explanation. Many experts believe that biological factors such as genetic influences and prenatal hormone levels, early experiences, and experiences later in adolescence or adulthood may all contribute to the development of transgender identities.

How prevalent are transgender people?

It is difficult to accurately estimate the number of transgender people, mostly because there are no population studies that accurately and completely account for the range of gender identity and gender expression.

What is the relationship between gender identity and sexual orientation?

Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Sexual orientation refers to an individual's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person, whereas gender identity refers to one's internal sense of being male, female, or something else. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or asexual, just as nontransgender people can be. Some recent research has shown that a change or a new exploration period in partner attraction may occur during the process of transition. However, transgender people usually remain as attached to loved ones after transition as they were before transition. Transgender people usually label their sexual orientation using their gender as a reference. For example, a transgender woman, or a person who is assigned male at birth and transitions to female, who is attracted to other women would be identified as a lesbian or gay woman. Likewise, a transgender man, or a person who is assigned female at birth and transitions to male, who is attracted to other men would be identified as a gay man.

How does someone know that they are transgender?

Transgender people experience their transgender identity in a variety of ways and may become aware of their transgender identity at any age. Some can trace their transgender identities and feelings back to their earliest memories. They may have vague feelings of "not fitting in" with people of their assigned sex or specific wishes to be something other than their assigned sex. Others become aware of their transgender identities or begin to explore and experience gender-nonconforming attitudes and behaviors during adolescence or much later in life. Some embrace their transgender feelings, while others struggle with feelings of shame or confusion. Those who transition later in life may have struggled to fit in adequately as their assigned sex only to later face dissatisfaction with their lives. Some transgender people, transsexuals in particular, experience intense dissatisfaction with their sex assigned at birth, physical sex characteristics, or the gender role associated with that sex. These individuals often seek gender-affirming treatments.

What should parents do if their child appears to be transgender or gender nonconforming?

Parents may be concerned about a child who appears to be gender-nonconforming for a variety of reasons. Some children express a great deal of distress about their assigned sex at birth or the gender roles they are expected to follow. Some children experience difficult social interactions with peers and adults because of their gender expression. Parents may become concerned when what they believed to be a "phase" does not pass. Parents of gender-nonconforming children may need to work with schools and other institutions to address their children's particular needs and ensure their children's safety. It is helpful to consult with mental health and medical professionals familiar with gender issues in children to decide how to best address these concerns. It is not helpful to force the child to act in a more gender-conforming way. Peer support from other parents of gender-nonconforming children may also be helpful.

How do transgender individuals make a gender transition?

Transitioning from one gender to another is a complex process and may involve transition to a gender that is neither traditionally male nor female. People who transition often start by expressing their preferred gender in situations where they feel safe. They typically work up to living full time as members of their preferred gender by making many changes a little at a time. While there is no "right" way to transition genders, there are some common social changes transgender people experience that may involve one or more of the following: adopting the appearance of the desired sex through changes in clothing and grooming, adopting a new name, changing sex designation on identity documents (if possible), using hormone therapy treatment, and/or undergoing medical procedures that modify their body to conform with their gender identity.

Every transgender person's process or transition differs. Because of this, many factors may determine how the individual wishes to live and express their gender identity. Finding a qualified mental health professional who is experienced in providing affirmative care for transgender people is an important first step. A qualified professional can provide guidance and referrals to other helping professionals. Connecting with other transgender people through peer support groups and transgender community organizations is also helpful.

The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), a professional organization devoted to the treatment of transgender people, publishes The Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders, which offers recommendations for the provision of gender affirmation procedures and services.

Is being transgender a mental disorder?

A psychological state is considered a mental disorder only if it causes significant distress or disability. Many transgender people do not experience their gender as distressing or disabling, which implies that identifying as transgender does not constitute a mental disorder. For these individuals, the significant problem is finding affordable resources, such as counseling, hormone therapy, medical procedures and the social support necessary to freely express their gender identity and minimize discrimination. Many other obstacles may lead to distress, including a lack of acceptance within society, direct or indirect experiences with discrimination, or assault. These experiences may lead many transgender people to suffer with anxiety, depression or related disorders at higher rates than nontransgender persons.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), people who experience intense, persistent gender incongruence can be given the diagnosis of "gender dysphoria." Some contend that the diagnosis inappropriately pathologizes gender noncongruence and should be eliminated. Others argue that it is essential to retain the diagnosis to ensure access to care. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) is under revision and there may be changes to its current classification of intense persistent gender incongruence as "gender identity disorder."

What kinds of discrimination do transgender people face?

Anti-discrimination laws in most U.S. cities and states do not protect transgender people from discrimination based on gender identity or gender expression. Consequently, transgender people in most cities and states face discrimination in nearly every aspect of their lives. The National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a report in 2011 entitled Injustice at Every Turn, which confirmed the pervasive and severe discrimination faced by transgender people. Out of a sample of nearly 6,500 transgender people, the report found that transgender people experience high levels of discrimination in employment, housing, health care, education, legal systems, and even in their families.

Transgender people may also have additional identities that may affect the types of discrimination they experience. Groups with such additional identities include transgender people of racial, ethnic, or religious minority backgrounds; transgender people of lower socioeconomic statuses; transgender people with disabilities; transgender youth; transgender elderly; and others. Experiencing discrimination may cause significant amounts of psychological stress, often leaving transgender individuals to wonder whether they were discriminated against because of their gender identity or gender expression, another sociocultural identity, or some combination of all of these.

According to the study, while discrimination is pervasive for the majority of transgender people, the intersection of anti-transgender bias and persistent, structural racism is especially severe. People of color in general fare worse than White transgender people, with African American transgender individuals faring far worse than all other transgender populations examined.

Many transgender people are the targets of hate crimes. They are also the victims of subtle discrimination-which includes everything from glances or glares of disapproval or discomfort to invasive questions about their body parts.

How can I be supportive of transgender family members, friends, or significant others?

Educate yourself about transgender issues by reading books, attending conferences, and consulting with transgender experts. Be aware of your attitudes concerning people with gender-nonconforming appearance or behavior.

Know that transgender people have membership in various sociocultural identity groups (e.g., race, social class, religion, age, disability, etc.) and there is not one universal way to look or be transgender.

Use names and pronouns that are appropriate to the person's gender presentation and identity; if in doubt, ask.

Don't make assumptions about transgender people's sexual orientation, desire for hormonal or medical treatment, or other aspects of their identity or transition plans. If you have a reason to know (e.g., you are a physician conducting a necessary physical exam or you are a person who is interested in dating someone that you've learned is transgender), ask.

Don't confuse gender nonconformity with being transgender. Not all people who appear androgynous or gender nonconforming identify as transgender or desire gender affirmation treatment.

Keep the lines of communication open with the transgender person in your life.

Get support in processing your own reactions. It can take some time to adjust to seeing someone you know well transitioning. Having someone close to you transition will be an adjustment and can be challenging, especially for partners, parents, and children.

Seek support in dealing with your feelings. You are not alone. Mental health professionals and support groups for family, friends, and significant others of transgender people can be useful resources.

Advocate for transgender rights, including social and economic justice and appropriate psychological care.Familiarize yourself with the local and state or provincial laws that protect transgender people from discrimination.

Where can I find more information about transgender health, advocacy and human rights?

American Psychological Association
Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
Programs and Projects
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Email

Children's National Medical Center
Gender and Sexuality Advocacy and Education
111 Michigan Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20010
(202) 476-4172

Family Acceptance Project
San Francisco State University
3004 16th Street, #301
San Francisco, CA 94103
Email

FTMInternational
(FTM means Female-to-Male)
601 Van Ness Ave., Suite E327
San Francisco, CA 94102
(877) 267-1440
Email

Gender Spectrum
(510) 788-4412
Email

National Center for Transgender Equality
1325 Massachusetts Ave., Suite 700
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 903-0112
(202) 393-2241 (fax)
Email

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Transgender Network (TNET)
PFLAG National Office
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 660
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 467-8180
Email

Sylvia Rivera Law Project
147 W. 24th Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10011
(212) 337-8550
(212) 337-1972 (Fax)
Email

Transgender Law Center
870 Market Street Room 400
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 865-0176
Email

TransYouth Family Allies
P.O. Box1471
Holland, MI 49422-1471
(888) 462-8932

World Professional Association for Transgender Health
Email

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, D.C.: Author.

American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, D.C.: Author.

Coleman, E., Bockting, W., Botzer, M., Cohen-Kettenis, P., DeCuypere, G., Feldman, J., ... Zucker, K. (2012). Standards of care for the health of transsexual, transgender, and gender nonconforming people (7th version). International Journal of Transgenderism, 13, 165-232. doi:10.1080/15532739.2011.700873

National Center for Transgender Equality and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. (2011). Injustice at every turn.

World Health Organization. (1990). ICD-10: International classification of diseases and related health problems (10th ed).

Purchase this brochure

Pamphlets in English and Spanish may be purchased in bundles of 25 for $4.00 plus shipping by calling (800) 374-2721 or by email.

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This pamphlet also is available in the following languages:

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Answers to your questions about transgender people, gender identity, and gender expression

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Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe people whose gender identity (sense of themselves as male or female) or gender expression differs from socially constructed norms associated with their birth sex. This includes androgynous, bigendered and gender queer people, who tend to see traditional concepts of gender as restrictive.

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The Trevor Project - Saving Young LGBTQ Lives

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A national 24-hour, toll free confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth.

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Gay and lesbian perspectives on style, entertainment, travel, fashion, arts, politics, culture, music, film, celebrities and the world at large.

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

This podcast is produced in partnership with University of Wisconsin Press, publishers of Understanding and Teaching U.S. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender History. It is the first book designed for high school and university teachers who want to integrate LGBTQ history into their standard curriculum.

Listen to each episode individually, or subscribe for automatic downloads using:

Queer America is an exploration of the history of sexual identity and gender identity in the United States. Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio host this new podcast from Learning for Justice-a resource to help educators integrate LGBTQ history into their curriculum.

From the Gold Rush to the Cold War, Historian Daniel Hurewitz offers strategies for integrating LGBTQ History into your curriculum. He shares lesson examples from U.S. history and insights from educators already teaching queer history in their classrooms.

In a fascinating conversation with host Leila J. Rupp, historian and writer Genny Beemyn brings us inspiring-and surprising-stories of trans and gender nonconforming figures, from the Frontier West to the modern civil rights movement and beyond.

Lessons from the classroom-from high stakes testing to critical thinking skills-professor Emily Hobson & public school teacher Felicia Perez discuss their experiences and practical advice to help you incorporate LGBTQ History.

We're passing love notes across time. Historian Susan K. Freeman takes a deep dive into the history of women who loved women-and offers ways for educators to connect love letters to lessons on culture, women's rights movements and literary themes.

Lifelong partnerships between women existed long before the legalization of gay marriage. Susan K. Freeman continues her exploration of the spaces they found-in their words, their societies and their homes-for same-sex intimacy.

"If we teach only about the Red Scare, we're only telling part of the story of the Cold War." Historian David K. Johnson explores the systemic firing of gay government employees and the consequences of a homophobic culture that still endure today.

World War II plunged a double-edged sword into the heart of the U.S. queer community. Historian Susan Freeman examines how the war brought gay men and lesbians together, and the ways it isolated them from the right to serve and benefit from their service.

What can the private lives of public figures like Eleanor Roosevelt and J. Edgar Hoover tell us about their impact on U.S. history? Historian Claire Potter helps us navigate the relationships among identity, power and actions-and why we must teach them.

Don't start-or stop-with Stonewall. To understand not just LGBTQ history but all post-war U.S. history, students must see the 1960s in context. In this episode, Amnesty International's Ian Lekus dives into the minority-rights revolutions of the 1960s.

The revolution was intersectional. Amnesty International's Ian Lekus returns to discuss ways educators can highlight the many identities of 1960s activists and help students understand the roles LGBTQ people played in movements you already teach.

"Inequality directly affected the scope of the epidemic." Historian Jennifer Brier and CAARAC founder Shakita Jones discuss the history and structural discrimination surrounding AIDS, and how to approach these difficult conversations in the classroom.

Queer characters have existed on screen since the era of silent film. But do they have a starring role in your syllabus? Scholars Sharon Ullman and Nicholas Syrett offer concrete strategies for teaching LGBTQ history through films and documentaries.

On our season finale, join Learning for Justice Senior Writer Cory Collins and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio as they offer concrete tips for creating LGBTQ-inclusive classrooms and taking themes from this podcast into our daily practice.
Read the Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ Students Guide

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Without LGBTQ history, there is no American history. From Learning for Justice and hosts Leila Rupp and John D'Emilio, Queer America takes listeners on a journey that spans from Harlem to the Frontier West, revealing stories of LGBTQ life we should have learned in school.

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Children share three LGBTQ stories that encapsulate the honesty, intimacy, and love that we could all use a lot more of.

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As a very difficult LGBT Pride Month comes to a close, StoryCorps podcast producers Michael Garofalo and Nadia Reiman turn to children to share three LGBTQ stories that encapsulate the honesty, intimacy, and love that we could all use a lot more of.

Our first story comes from Chris López and her son Gabe (pictured in the player above). Chris always knew there was something different about her youngest child; assigned female at birth, Gabe always felt like he was a boy.

Following his seventh birthday, Gabe convinced his parents to let him cut off his long hair and get a Mohawk. He also started dressing only in clothing often designated for boys while answering both publicly and privately to "he" and not "she."

Gabe came to StoryCorps with his mother to talk about what it's been like for him to be transgender, and his fears about the future.

After the interview, Von Diaz who produced the piece joined the podcast to provide an update on Gabe's life since his story aired in May on NPR.

Our next piece comes from the early days of StoryCorps. In 2004, Kaitlyn Sever, 10, came to StoryCorps with her mother Lynn (pictured above). Lynn, who is gay, wanted to ask her daughter questions about her future: What do you want to be when you grow up? Who would you like to marry? Do you want to have kids?

When she was done, Kaitlyn turned the tables and asked her mother questions as well-the most pointed being, "How has being a parent changed you?" Lynn's answer is both honest and touching.

Finally we hear from MJ Seide and 12-year-old Genna Alperin (pictured at left). When MJ and Genna's grandmother, Marty Jacobson, fell in love with each other, MJ explains to Genna that Marty was the first person who ever proudly told her that they loved her. With their shared love, it took no time for MJ to become a part of Marty and Genna's tight family.

MJ and Genna came to StoryCorps so that MJ, also one of Genna's favorite grandmothers, could share stories of love, family, and roller coasters.

Their first interview was recorded in 2010, and recently, MJ was invited back to StoryCorps with Marty to talk more about their love story and some of the things MJ wishes she had done differently.

Like the music in thi s episode? Support the artists:

Alialujah Choir - "Cold Weather (Instrumental)"

Nick Jaina- "All the Best Fakers"

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As a very difficult LGBT Pride Month comes to a close, StoryCorps podcast producers Michael Garofalo and Nadia Reiman turn to children to share three LGBTQ stories that encapsulate the honesty, intimacy, and love that we could all use a lot more of.

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WNYC presents special radio, podcast and live event programming that captures the spirit, history, impact, and voices of the LGBTQ movement.

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The Sound of Pride: Stonewall at 50 | WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News

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On the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, WNYC presents special radio, podcast and live event programming that captures the spirit, history, impact, and voices of the LGBTQ movement.

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The latest articles on Pride Month

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Get the latest on Lgbt Pride Month from Teen Vogue. Find articles, slideshows and more.

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GLAAD | GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBTQ acceptance.

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GLAAD is a non-profit LGBTQ advocacy organization focused on cultural change to ensure fair, accurate, and inclusive representation to advance LGBTQ acceptance.

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Overview

LGBTQ Pride Month or Pride, is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that takes place in June. The LGBTQ+ community includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and others with a broad range of sexual orientations and gender identities. The movement developed from the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New York City, which were a series of violent protests that occurred at the Stonewall Inn, a popular LGBTQ-friendly bar. When law enforcement raided the bar, arresting thirteen of its patrons, protesters attacked the officers, forcing them to barricade themselves in the Stonewall Inn for their own safety. Protesters then lit the bar on fire, leading to police violently breaking up the protest. Riots, protests, and demonstrations in favor of...
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LGBTQ Pride Month or Pride, is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community that takes place in June. The LGBTQ+ community includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people and others with a broad range of sexual orientations and gender identities.