Gay and Lesbian Pamphlet
Title
Gay and Lesbian Pamphlet
Description
An informative pamphlet on gay and lesbian identities.
Text reads:
Let's Talk About Gay and Lesbian Identities
What is "Gay?"
Within the LGBTQIA+ community, the term "gay" is often used as an umbrella term for the entire queer community.
However, the identity itself refers to a person who is attracted only to someone of the same gender and/or sex.
In its most specific form, many people use it in reference to men who are attracted to other men. Some prefer to use the classic rainbow flag to represent gay men while others have adopted one that resembles the lesbian flag (see below).
What is "Lesbian?"
While gay tends to be used in broader circumstances, the lesbian identity has always been more specific and refers to women who are attracted to other women.
There are nuances to these identities which will be discussed throughout this pamphlet!
Love Is Love
Types of Attraction
While there have been other types of attractions identified, the following five types are generally referred to most when seeking information about one's identity. To put these types of attraction into the simplest terms possible:
Romantic Attraction: a person wants to connect with someone through romantic ways
Sexual Attraction: a person wants to have some form of sex with someone
Aesthetic Attraction: a person finds another visually appealing
Sensual Attraction: a person wants to have physical contact with another in non-sexual ways such as hugging or cuddling
Emotional Attraction: a person wants to learn more about someone else and their personality; genuine friendships include some level of emotional attraction because the parties involved are invested in each other's thoughts and actions
How do you know if you are gay?
Essentially, the answer to this question lies in who you experience which type(s) of attraction for. The identity/label that best matches that answer is one you may choose to use. Labels are not required; it's your identity to shape and refer to however you feel most comfortable.
If you experience attraction only for those of the same sex and/or gender as yourself, one of the homoromantic and/or homosexual labels may suit you best.
People do not get to choose who they experience attraction for; attractions can develop over time to grow stronger or weaken. Sexuality focuses primarily on who a person finds romantically and/or sexually attractive. Sometimes these attractions overlap, but they do not have to.
People do choose what attractions they wish to act on. This is something every individual who experiences attraction deals with whether it's something as small as complimenting a person they find aesthetically attractive or as big as asking someone they find attractive in every way to begin a relationship with them.
Homo- and Hetero- Labels Corresponding to Gender
Under the section of defining gay and lesbian identities, we mentioned there are nuances with the use of the phrase "same gender and/or sex." This is because identity and attraction depend on the individual. Gender and sex are separate, and when there are differences between them, it may affect how some experience attraction to others.
Labels in the LGBTQIA+ community are fluid and are primarily meant to aid individuals in their journey to find themselves and those who they relate to.
A straight woman is still straight if she dates a trans man. She is a woman dating a man; her identity does not change unless she believes it has and states as much. At the same time, a nonbinary person may identify as a lesbian because they are only attracted to women. For some people, they may only want to pursue attractions to people with a gender that matches their assigned sex at birth. For others, it won't matter to them. That is an individual's preference to determine for themselves. Either way, even if its definition may not be perfect, an identity label can be used by those who feel comfortable with it.
Want to learn more?
Here are some recommended resources!
Always remember:
Romantic attraction is not a choice.
Sexual attraction is not a choice.
Being LGBTQIA+ is not a choice.
Being part of the community is a choice.
Learning about yourself is a process and the result is priceless.
Text reads:
Let's Talk About Gay and Lesbian Identities
What is "Gay?"
Within the LGBTQIA+ community, the term "gay" is often used as an umbrella term for the entire queer community.
However, the identity itself refers to a person who is attracted only to someone of the same gender and/or sex.
In its most specific form, many people use it in reference to men who are attracted to other men. Some prefer to use the classic rainbow flag to represent gay men while others have adopted one that resembles the lesbian flag (see below).
What is "Lesbian?"
While gay tends to be used in broader circumstances, the lesbian identity has always been more specific and refers to women who are attracted to other women.
There are nuances to these identities which will be discussed throughout this pamphlet!
Love Is Love
Types of Attraction
While there have been other types of attractions identified, the following five types are generally referred to most when seeking information about one's identity. To put these types of attraction into the simplest terms possible:
Romantic Attraction: a person wants to connect with someone through romantic ways
Sexual Attraction: a person wants to have some form of sex with someone
Aesthetic Attraction: a person finds another visually appealing
Sensual Attraction: a person wants to have physical contact with another in non-sexual ways such as hugging or cuddling
Emotional Attraction: a person wants to learn more about someone else and their personality; genuine friendships include some level of emotional attraction because the parties involved are invested in each other's thoughts and actions
How do you know if you are gay?
Essentially, the answer to this question lies in who you experience which type(s) of attraction for. The identity/label that best matches that answer is one you may choose to use. Labels are not required; it's your identity to shape and refer to however you feel most comfortable.
If you experience attraction only for those of the same sex and/or gender as yourself, one of the homoromantic and/or homosexual labels may suit you best.
People do not get to choose who they experience attraction for; attractions can develop over time to grow stronger or weaken. Sexuality focuses primarily on who a person finds romantically and/or sexually attractive. Sometimes these attractions overlap, but they do not have to.
People do choose what attractions they wish to act on. This is something every individual who experiences attraction deals with whether it's something as small as complimenting a person they find aesthetically attractive or as big as asking someone they find attractive in every way to begin a relationship with them.
Homo- and Hetero- Labels Corresponding to Gender
Under the section of defining gay and lesbian identities, we mentioned there are nuances with the use of the phrase "same gender and/or sex." This is because identity and attraction depend on the individual. Gender and sex are separate, and when there are differences between them, it may affect how some experience attraction to others.
Labels in the LGBTQIA+ community are fluid and are primarily meant to aid individuals in their journey to find themselves and those who they relate to.
A straight woman is still straight if she dates a trans man. She is a woman dating a man; her identity does not change unless she believes it has and states as much. At the same time, a nonbinary person may identify as a lesbian because they are only attracted to women. For some people, they may only want to pursue attractions to people with a gender that matches their assigned sex at birth. For others, it won't matter to them. That is an individual's preference to determine for themselves. Either way, even if its definition may not be perfect, an identity label can be used by those who feel comfortable with it.
Want to learn more?
Here are some recommended resources!
Always remember:
Romantic attraction is not a choice.
Sexual attraction is not a choice.
Being LGBTQIA+ is not a choice.
Being part of the community is a choice.
Learning about yourself is a process and the result is priceless.
Date
February 15, 2024
Contributor
Grace Doherty Library
Sarah Kuchar
Language
English
Collection
Citation
“Gay and Lesbian Pamphlet,” Queer Centre: LGBTQIA+ History, accessed May 15, 2024, https://queercentre.omeka.net/items/show/151.