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The world is a diverse place. This means that we have lots of different people, which makes our world more interesting and helps us grow and learn from each other. One area in which we are all different, is in our sexuality. The majority of people like people of the other gender, but people can be all sorts of different sexualities. Alternative sexualities are summarised by the acronym LGBTQ+. On this page, we will talk about what this term means and why it’s important to celebrate and respect people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
LGBTQ+ is a term used to describe people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. This means that they have a different sexual orientation or gender identity than what society considers to be “typical”. It’s important to remember that everyone is unique and special in their own way and being LGBTQ+ is just one part of someone’s identity.
Being LGBTQ+ is not a choice. Just like how you don’t choose your eye colour or the colour of your hair, you can’t choose who you’re attracted to or how you identify. It’s just a part of who you are.
People who are lesbian are women who are attracted to other women. People who are gay are men who are attracted to other men. People who are bisexual are attracted to both men and women. People who are transgender are people who feel like the gender they were assigned at birth doesn’t match who they really are. People who are queer or questioning are still trying to figure out their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Unfortunately, many people who identify as LGBTQ+ can face discrimination and mistreatment from others who don’t understand or accept their identities. This can be hurtful and harmful, which is why it’s important to create a safe and accepting environment for everyone, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation.
The world relies on wonderful people like you to make sure that we create an environment in which everyone can feel comfortable to be who they are. The power is in your hands to help make sure everyone is treated with kindness and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
You can:
If you’d like to learn more about injustices around the world, check out the page on UN Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
