Myths and Stigmas about the LGBTQ+ Community
- For Change
- Jun 27, 2022
- 3 min read
By Charissa David
The LGBT community’s rise to acceptance and awareness has faced a host of myths and stigmas perpetuated by uninformed or miseducated individuals and biased associations. A myth is regarded as an untrue statement often accepted as truth whereas a stigma is a form of discrimination or disapproval formed against a person or group due to the perceivable circumstance that distinguishes them from society. Debunking myths are an important part of breaking stigmas. As a member of the community, ally, or simply a person seeking to educate themselves, it is vital to have reputable sources in order to combat the ongoing miseducation and mistreatment of members of the community.
Myths and stigmas around the community, many of which have been around for centuries, negatively affect the treatment, mental health, and socioeconomic functioning of LGBT persons. This June, LGBT pride month, we highlight the following stigmas and myths and encourage you to do your part to end the passing on of these myths to younger generations. Six commonly-accepted myths and stigmas about the LGBT community include:
1. Mannerisms and clothing choices can identify LGBT people
While over the years the terms like “gay-dar” have been coined to describe someone’s ability to guess others’ sexual orientation, someone’s mannerisms are far from accurate indicators. One may also use another’s choice of clothing to categorize and misgender persons. When this myth is accepted, it allows homophobic persons to target, discriminate against and harm those who fit into specific stereotypes regardless of whether or not the person is a part of the community.
2. Homosexuality and gender non-conformism are western phenomena
Due to western society’s culture of freedom of expression, many believe it is a trend originating from the western world. However, history says differently. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, nonbinary, and transgender people have been recorded in history books and legends throughout the world in different cultures such as Hirajas in South Asian culture, the two-spirits of Native American culture, and same-sex relationships of Ancient Africa. Although terms differ from culture to culture as well as attitudes towards such individuals, homosexuality is far from a modern western trend. When this myth is perpetuated, LGBT persons from other cultures may be invalidated.
3. Homosexuality is an illness or medical issue
Apart from homophobia routing from religious beliefs, many have tried to discount the community by referring to homosexuality as an illness. Due to this belief, several studies have been done and the myth has been disproved. Medical governing bodies such as the American Psychological Association (APA) no longer consider it a mental illness but say that homosexuality is as normal and healthy as heterosexuals. A myth such as this is extremely harmful when accepted persons seek to “cure” homosexuality via dangerous means like conversion therapy, which does not work and only leaves the victim traumatized.
4. Queer parenthood is harmful to children
This is a popular argument proposed by both religious and non-religious bodies. As a result of the reality of this concern, numerous studies have been carried out in order to investigate this statement. To date, several associations such as the APA and the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) have stated that same-sex parenting is remarkably similar to that of heterosexual cisgender couples. In fact, the sexual orientation of the parents is unrelated to the well-being of the child. This myth can create a hostile environment in schools for children raised by same-sex couples as well as limit the adoption abilities and medical care for same-sex couples seeking to have a child.
5. HIV is a gay disease
Although the acceptance of this myth is declining with better education around STIs and STDs, it is still a common myth. HIV is in fact more prevalent in the LGBT community. However, it is by no means limited to this community and it is also not a result of one’s sexual orientation. The spread of HIV and AIDS is a result of behaviors such as unprotected sex and sharing of needles. Acceptance of this myth is harmful, as it negatively affects the treatment of LGBT persons in medical settings.
6. Sexual orientation is linked to gender identity
As education around both topics is becoming more common, sexual orientation is often confused with and/or tied to gender identity. Sexual orientation describes what gender(s) someone is attracted to whereas gender identity refers to someone’s conception of themselves with regards to male, female, both, or neither. Hence, a transwoman, for example, although having undergone a transition from male to female can still identify as heterosexual, homosexual, asexual, etc. This also applies to gender non-conforming and nonbinary individuals. Gender expression and gender identity do not impact to whom a person is attracted.
Celebrate pride month by breaking the stigma and debunking the myths. LGBT persons deserve to be understood, accepted, and treated compassionately!
Resources
10 Anti-Gay Myths Debunked. (2013). Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2011/10-anti-gay-myths-debunked
HIV/AIDS and Older Adults: Fact Versus Fiction. (2015). LGBTAgingCenter.org. https://www.lgbtagingcenter.org/resources/resource.cfm?r=322
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