#mythbusting march

This #MythBustingMarch, GBPFLAG will provide a variety of threads about common myths within the LGBT community. Today’s thread is about the relationship between trans people and bathroom legislation and discourse. 

The present debate revolves around if trans people, specifically school-aged kids, should be allowed to use the bathroom that best aligns with their gender. Ultimately, this is both a trans issue but also a public health issue, as using bathrooms is a human right and preserves the well-being of trans people. 

Often, the people most vehemently against trans people using the bathroom that fits their identity are concerned about harassment and attack from trans people, concerning their livelihood with those trying to carry out a basic human right.

Ultimately, there are many anti-trans bathroom policies in place in schools, institutions, and legislatively. The first state law addressing transgender access to restrooms was in North Carolina in 2016, the number and support for these bills has only increased. 

When entering bathrooms as a cisgender person, do not judge others, especially if they don’t fit the societal norms of “feminine” and “masculine” presentation. “Gender policing” can be dangerous and marginalizes trans people from acceptance from society. 

This #MythBustingMarch, GBPFLAG will provide a variety of threads about common myths within the LGBT community. This week, the focus is on bisexual and pansexual visibility in the community and in the media. 

Bisexuality is defined as attraction to both men and women, whereas pansexuality is attraction to people regardless of their gender. Although the two identities are similar, they are quite different and should not be used interchangeably. 

One myth in the LGBT community is that bisexuality and pansexuality are just a phase and that people under these identities aren’t really a part of the LGBT community. Biphobia and panphobia can run rampant, yet aren’t addressed as much as homophobia. 

Although February has ended, the support for loving your LGBT kiddos doesn’t end and neither does supporting people of other marginalized identities. February was also #BlackHistoryMonth, so it’s important to recognize how being LGBT and holding other identities intersect. 

Coined by Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in 1989, the term “intersectionality” describes how as individuals, we hold many different identities at the same time. These identities can include gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, and disability among many others. With these identities comes the ways we experience our lives. 

With regards to race and sexual orientation, the LGBT community is not a monolith. The lived experiences of a White trans man and a Black trans woman, for example, are very different. Just because someone is under the LGBT umbrella, doesn’t mean that they share everything with their LGBT siblings. 

“Solidarity,” then, is “unity or agreement of feeling or action, especially among individuals with a common interest; mutual support within a group.” There is not always solidarity within the LGBT community because of the various identities it encompasses. Additionally, there may not be solidarity with other social justice groups and movements like Black Lives Matter.

March is #Women’sHistoryMonth! There are so many powerful LGBT women in history and at present. Being both a woman and LGBT can sometimes feel more isolating because of the multiple identities being held. So, this March, GBPFLAG is here to uplift these voices. 

In 1987, the U.S. Congress declared the entire month of March as Women’s History Month. It was after years of lobbying and organizing from women and feminist groups that this celebration came into effect. Each year holds a different theme; 2023 is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. 

In some women centered groups or feminist circles, the word “woman” is modified to represent a shift in attitude toward semantics. Some of these variations are “womxn,” “womyn,” “wimmin,” and “womban.” The removal of “man” from the word “woman” suggests a shift in feminist discourse about the role of men in women centered spaces.