Busting LGBTQIA+ myths

The LGBTQIA+ community has for decades been subjected to numerous myths regarding their respective identities, sexual preferences, lifestyle, habits and so on.

Here lie some commonly propagated myths, along with the truth behind the propaganada.

1. People choose to be LGBTQIA+

LGBTQIA+ is not a choice for everyone. On the contrary, it comes about naturally to most. While people can change their preferences and choose to identify with one particular sexuality, most believe that they did not “choose” to be LGBTQIA+. Rather they became aware of having feelings towards other genders at an early age or these feelings evolved during their adolescence or adulthood; showing that they were not influenced to be LGBTQIA+. Additionally, one’s environment, surroundings and genetics also play a major role in determining their sexual preferences.

2. LGBTQIA+ people can be cured by Psychotherapy or Orientation Reparative Therapy

There is no cure because there is no illness. Any romantic/sexual preference or identification with a gender different from the conventional norms is not an illness. Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Mental Health Professionals altogether have agreed that homosexuality is not a mental disorder or an emotional problem. Additionally, such forms of therapy have been claimed to be false and dangerous by Medical and Mental Health Professionals as they often cause vulnerable minors and adults to slip into depression, anxiety, substance abuse, homelessness, suicide etc.

3. “Homosexuality is unnatural”

In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from its list of diagnoses, thereby implying that it is a normal variant of sexual behaviour and not a mental health problem. A large volume of scientific evidence indicates that being LGBTQIA+ is completely compatible with a normal and healthy life. Same-sex sexual/romantic attractions and behaviours as well as gender fluidity, asexuality, pansexuality etc are perfectly normal. The next time someone says homosexuality is unnatural, tell them that it is as natural as heterosexuality.

4. “You can “spot” lesbians, gay men, trans-identified persons and others based off of specific mannerisms, clothing choices, physical characteristics etc.”

There is no definable lesbian/gay/trans-identified lifestyle. LGBTQIA+ people are just as unique and individualistic as cisgender and heterosexual people. The misconception that they act a certain way has been drawn entirely from baseless societal prejudices. There may be some who adhere to these stereotypes but many others look or act nothing like these. In fact, some of the most stereotypical images associated with the LGBTQIA+ community such as the “effeminate man” or “tomboy” are found equally and quite as much amongst those who are not LGBTQIA+.

Likewise, heterosexual men may have feminine traits and heterosexual women may have masculine traits.

One’s mannerism and demeanour completely depends on the individual, with no link to their sexual orientation whatsoever. Associating behaviour with sexualities is mindless and ignorant.

5. “Bisexual people like both genders in equal amounts”

The idea that all bisexual people like both genders equally is in actual fact, not true. It is extremely common for someone who is bisexual to prefer one gender over another and for that preference to fluctuate over time.

6. “LGBTQ relationships don't last as long as heterosexual relationships”

How long a relationship lasts has nothing to do with the individual’s sexual orientation. Moreover, there is no data that shows LGBTQrelationships don't last as long. Infact, a study found out that same sex couples have a lower divorce rate.

7. “LGBTQ parents harm children.”

Research has shown that the children of LGBTQ parents are no different than the children of heterosexual parents in terms oftheir emotional development, growth or relationships with friends. LGBTQ couples are exceptionaly similar to straight couples, hencethe maturing and mental well-being of their children is extraneous to the parent’s sexual orientation or identity. LGBTQ parents arejust as well-suited to raise kids as heterosexualparents.

8.“Transgender people are confused or mistaken about what gender identity they identify as”

A transgender person is not confused about their identity by identifying differently than the sex they were assigned at birth. Their identity as a man, woman or non-binary person has been a part of them from the start and they have not been influenced by outside factors to “become” this. A person may struggle with their identity and may change how they identify but that does not mean transgender people are merely confused men or women who are just going to change their identity “back to normal” soon.

✏️: @rishika_arora, @dhruv_mathur, @ishani_jaiswal, @khwaish_mohindru & @surya

🎨: @divya_pappu