From SAIGE, a division of the American Counseling Association, read below about inclusive initialism.
In an effort to make the initialism inclusive of multiple identities and to be stated with increased ease, rather than add repeated letters, we have included multiple identities within each letter. With the recognition that no abbreviation of our communities' identities are perfect, this is not intended to disrespect any identity, but rather to provide the most inclusive initialism as a starting point to discuss and advocate for our shared communities' identities and rights and our individual identities.
L = Lesbian
G = Gay
B = Bisexual
T = Trans, Transgender; & Two-Spirit (2S; Native Identity)
GE = Gender Expansive
Q = Queer; & Questioning
I = Intersex
A = Agender; Asexual & Aromantic
P = Pansexual; Pan/Polygender; & Poly Relationship Systems
+ = We continue to be Inclusive of Other Related Identities by Being Committed to
Ever-Expanding, Learning, & Growing the Acronym and Our Understanding of These Identities
*Adapted from SAIGEcounseling.org
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex (LGBTQI*) community represents a diverse range of identities and expressions of gender and sexual orientation. In addition to these identities, members of the community are diverse in terms of race, religion, ethnicity, nationality and socioeconomic class. This intersectionality — the combined and overlapping aspects of a persons’s identity — brings diversity of thought, perspective, understanding and experience. This complexity is important to understand as a unique and valuable aspect of the LGBTQI community that can result in a strong sense of pride and resiliency.
While belonging to the LGBTQI community can be a source of strength, it also brings unique challenges. For those who identify as LGBTQI, it’s important to recognize how your experience of sexual orientation and gender identity relates to your mental health.
Although the full range of LGBTQI identities are not commonly included in large-scale studies of mental health, there is strong evidence from recent research that members of this community are at a higher risk for experiencing mental health conditions — especially depression and anxiety disorders. -NAMI.org
Resources on Campus for LGBTGEQIAP+ Students
Other Resources for LGBTGEQIAP+ Students
Pride Community Center of the Tri-Cities