The Fondation Émergence gives the following definition of sexual diversity:
Heterosexism
Heterosexism is the belief that everyone is heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the only acceptable way of being. This belief, which relies on the idea that the majority rules and is therefore normal, is often the source of homophobia.
Homophobia
It's all the negative attitudes that can lead to rejection and to direct or indirect discrimination towards gay men, lesbians, and bisexual, transsexual or transgender people or toward anyone whose physical appearance or behaviour does not fit masculine or feminine stereotypes. The following are variants of homophobia:
- Bi-phobia: aversion towards bisexual people or bisexuality;
- Gayphobia: aversion towards gay men or male homosexuality;
- Lesbophobia: aversion towards lesbian women or female homosexuality.
Transphobia
Transphobia is a negative attitude or feeling, an aversion towards transgender people, transsexuals or people who are transitioning.
Transgender Person
Person who perceives themselves and identifies as belonging to a different sex and who feels the need to live that way. In contrast to a transsexual person, the transgender person refuses gender reassignment or a sex change. Also a transgender person is someone who does not conform to the norm imposed by male and female gender identities; some people consider themselves gender-fluid.
Transsexual Person
Person who has already changed their sex physically or a person who is making that transition through medical treatment or surgery. This transformation is usually irreversible.
Two-spirited Person
A two-spirited person is some who according to Amerindian tradition has two spirits, one female and one male.
Intersex Person
An intersex person is someone who shows physical features of both sexes.
LGBTTI Communities
LGBTTI is an acronym used by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender and Intersex Communities. |