Education, acceptance key to understanding LGBTQ community

Living in Iowa my whole life gives me an unfortunate perspective of the governing attitudes toward transgenderism and the LGBTQIA community as a whole. The stereotypes of misconceptions are absolutely unbelievable and it’s all due to ignorance, because people refuse to educate themselves.

The first big thing I hear is that people who belong to that community are mentally ill. The American Psychiatric Association, in 2012, declared that being gay or bisexual or transgender, etc. is not a mental disorder. As Lady Gaga says, baby, you were born this way.

Another stereotype says that gay men have the highest proclivity to sexually abuse children. Demographics of sexual abusers are actually mirror the demographics of America in general meaning there’s no main group or sex or gender or sexuality that does it, and in fact, there are more higher profile heterosexual sex offenders, i.e. Jared Fogle of Subway fame, and let’s not forget priests.

Another misconception has to do with sex and gender. Sex is a classification, male, or female. If you’re born with a penis, you’re a male if you’re born with a vagina, you’re a female, technically. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, expressions and identities of girls, women, boys, men, and gender diverse people. Gender can be fluid.

Denying children education and acceptance has consequences. Google Leelah Alcorn, and see why education and acceptance is key.

Chandra Jordan

Marion