Is it "GLBT" or "LGBT"?

[Zhade]

How did our acronym come about? My queer history is sadly lacking.

Why do I see both acronyms being used? Is it a power thing? A lack of standard usage thing? A typo thing?

[JAbuchan08]

1. How 'bout BLT... uh.... G? n/t

n/t

[tjwmason]

2. When I first came across it, it was L.G.B.

This was mid '90s with university applications. Since then awareness of transgendered people has risen, and the 'T' added.

I tend to say L.G.B.T. which rolls off my tongue more easily. I don't think that there's any great difference between the two.

[latteromden]

3. I say GLBT. I can say it more easily. I'd be interested to see the number

of gay men who say GLBT vs. the number of lesbian that say LGBT, and the other way around (although, I'm a lesbian and I still say GLBT).

[Zhade]

5. I hate to say it, but I do wonder if it's a power thing for some.

I mean, we're all human. Some want to be on top of others, even their peers.

[Meldread]

8. For some it is.

I am a gay male and I say LGBT, but some over time have added a Q to the end. I haven't though. I don't think it's really needed.

Although there are sometimes arguments, as silly as it may sound, over things like this. Should the G come first or the L? Get the right type of people together, the right personalities, and try and create a banner or write out a flyer and I'm sure you'll hear the argument.

Personally, I don't give a damn if the G comes at the beginning or at the end as long as it's included. I have better things to think about and argue about.

[Mairead]

6. When first used, in the '70s, it was always LGB as a sort of

protest against the 'lesbian invisiblity' issue. The cartoonist who drew 'Morgan Calabresé' (I wish she hadn't stopped) even did a riff on it, with Morgan, standing at a podium, vanishing as soon as the news cameras were turned on and then reappearing when they were turned off again. Startled, her friend Phil asks 'what happened??' and she shrugs and says 'lesbian invisibility'.

[Zhade]

11. Thanks for the historical perspective.

I think it's not really a big deal, all in all.

[Mairead]

20. "I think it's not really a big deal, all in all"

It might be a big deal if you're a lesbian.

[Spinzonner]

4. But how to you pronounce either of them

There really needs to be a catchier acronym from the PR department.

[Ian David]

7. It's GLBTQ now- the "Q" being for "Queer" or "Questioning"

Actually, I guess it SHOULD be GLBTQQ

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender Queer and Questioning.

[Zhade]

12. You could use one Q by saying "queerstioning".

It's a stretch, I admit. :)

[foreigncorrespondent]

9. Usually...

...you find most often gay men will use the GLBT and lesbians will use LGTB acronyms.

I personally used to use GLBT all the time, but in the last couple of years have found myself using LGBT.

[Brian_Expat]

10. The proper acronym is not GLBT or LGBT.

It's GLBTIQQTA for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersexed, Questioning, Queer, Transsexual and Asexual. ;)

[latteromden]

15. *head spins* OH, the political correctness! ;)

[Dark]

13. Why not just G.B.T. since lesbians are technically gay? n/t

[Uncle Roy]

14. It's "GAY"! I think "FLAS"! (Four Letter Acronyms Suck!) (nfm)

.

[blogactive]

16. Do we need to have only one....

Christians have Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Anglicans, etc...

Do we need to limit our names to one? I know most people use GLBT, but at www.blogactive.com and www.rawstoryQ.com -- I tend to use LGBT...

Why? Well, when people see the "L" first, it makes them pause, as it's not what they are used to, and like it helps to improve visibility by having the Dykes on Bikes at the front of the LGBT Pride parade, I think that going LGBT is one way to help highlight the invisibility of women's issues in the LGBT community.

Is it working?

Well, you read this, didn't you?

Mike Rogers

www.rawstoryQ.com: Out news with an attitude
www.blogactive.com: saving America, one busted closet at a time

[Ian David]

17. I wonder if just "Queer" would suffice

I know there are some organizations that use "queer" as an umbrella term.

It used to be "Lesbigay" for a while, too.

Pronounced "Lezz-bee-gay."

[Uncle Roy]

18. Sometimes we are like the fabulous bird,

who flew so far up his own fundament he disappeared altogether...

In the real world NOBODY uses GLBT or LGBT or any other permutation of
this week's version of that ridiculous acronym.

[blogactive]

19. Who is trying to be like the real world

In the real world there is a homophobic idiot chimp in the white house....an alternative reality seems fine to me.

On another note...those terms are used in the "real world" more and more...but again, if you're trying to communicate with those who get it...if the right wing nuts are confused...all the better. I mean, look at who they have leading their "ex gay group" I have an interesting post up on him now... www.blogative.com

[Rockholm]

21. How about just gay.

[khashka]

22. LGBT

Or at least that's what I use.

Partly because of a few really nasty political battles about how lesbians are excluded or demeaned in the "gay community". Partly because of how much work they've done to create that community. So for me it's a matter of respect.

How did it come about? Politics. Originally it was just Gay. And I have great love and respect for the men who made it possible to say that word, to make it a political movement. After that, the women had no intention of being excluded and they barged in, like the cool fierce dykes they are, and told us we'd better take 'em seriously. And a lot of bisexuals fought hard to be included and were, though often grudgingly. And then transfolk stepped up and said they wanted a place at the table too.

Personally, I'd like to junk the acronym. It's too limiting. I'll go with "queer" until something better comes along, because it includes LGBT people and a lot of heterosexual people as well. Nor does it limit me as much as the more usual acronym. It describes my sexuality better. I still don't like it very much, but it will do for now.


Khash.