π€ Far from being just a string of letters, this abbreviation can tell us the story of the modern #LGBTQ+ rights movement.
π From 'homosexual' to 'GLB' and beyond, here's a brief history of queer initialism. π§΅
π While LGBTQ+ people have always existed, the concepts of sexual and gender identities we are familiar with today are relatively new.
βοΈ It was not until 1869 that the term 'homosexual' was created by KΓ‘roly MΓ‘ria Kertbeny β the first neutral word for same-sex desire.
π€« 'Gay' β a 12th-century word meaning 'carefree' β became an underground word for being homosexual in the early 20th century, and picked up pace in the 1950s and β60s.
β The all-encompassing term was embraced by the community and used by the gay rights movement.
π¬π· With the rise of second-wave feminism in 1960s and β70s, gay women wanted their own identification and took to use 'lesbian' β from the Greek island of Lesbos.
π Now, the broader queer community was no longer defined by just one word.
π³οΈβπ As the term bisexuality also gained visibility in the 1970s, the first queer initialism was born not long after.
π GLB β Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual β became the inclusive term of the time to talk about a range of identities.
π Even though terms like GLB were becoming more popular, 'gay' still remained the most common word to describe the community until the 1990s.
π³οΈββ§οΈ However, initialisms started to stick by the end of the decade as the bisexual and trans movements became increasingly visible.
π By the turn of the millennium, the LGBT initials had been born.
βοΈ Some were against the inclusion of the T, wanting the term to be used exclusively for sexual orientation and not gender identity.
π’ But as the movement became ever-more fluid, #LGBT became the common term.
π΄ The next addition was controversial for many β Q.
π£οΈ 'Queer' was historically a derogatory word for gay people β meaning 'odd' or βpeculiarβ β but many started reclaiming it as an inclusive umbrella term.
β Some also see the Q as 'questioning'.
π Since the 2000s onwards, many different versions of LGBTQ+ initialism have been used.
π¨ββ€οΈβπ¨ As our understanding of sexuality and gender has expanded, so has the initialism itself. More letters are being added to reflect a more nuanced view of the community.
βοΈ One of the longest versions that's used today is LGBTQQIP2SAA, meaning:
πΊπΈ Around 1 in 200 Americans aged 65 and over are trans.
π³οΈββ§οΈ As the first generation of trans people reaches old age, healthcare systems are unprepared.
π For #TransAwarenessWeek, we spoke to trans people about growing old. π§΅
π΄ Social isolation
π΄ Housing discrimination
π΄ Lack of safe medical spaces
π΄ ...and much more.
π΅ The challenges trans elders face are often similar to those faced by trans people of all ages, but exacerbated as they get older, says Kylie Madhav, senior director at @sageusa.
π½οΈ Elizabeth Coffey was a star in the early films of cult film-maker John Waters.
π₯ While breaking ground for trans representation on screen, she faced rejection when seeking medical care.
π Later in life, hormone replacement therapy has caused issues, she told @Openly.
πΆ Let's take a look at some of this year's queer nominations. π§΅
π΅ @brandicarlile is one of the most nominated artists this year β coming in just behind @Beyonce and @kendricklamar, and being tied with @Adele on seven nominations.
πΏ For the second time, she might snap up the coveted 'Album of the Year'.
π @RandyRainbow has been nominated for his first-ever Grammy.
π§ The comedian and songwriter is up for the 'Best Comedy Album' award for 'A Little Brains, a Little Talent'.
ποΈ From the Iliad to the Odyssey, Lesbos has had a central part in Ancient Greek history.
βοΈ One of its most famous inhabitants was the 6th century B.C. poet Sappho, whose lyrical poems explored her love of women and their beauty β sometimes even venturing into the erotic.
βπΏ Black, British and queer β but often overlooked.
π¬π§ It's #BlackHistoryMonth in the UK and we're looking at those who shaped Black British queer history - and those still changing the world today.
π Here are some of the Black #LGBTQ+ pioneers you should know. π§΅
Ken "Snakehips" Johnson (1914-1941)
π· A jazz bandleader and dancer, Johnson was a leading figure in Black British music in the '30s and '40s.