LGBTQ Awareness "Creating a Safe Home through Kindness and Compassion" Miriam Melendez LISC AmeriCorps Education Programs Assistant miriam@housingsandiego.org (She, Her, Hers / They, Them, Theirs)

What are the differences between sex and gender? Sex refers to the biological differences; chromosomes, hormonal profiles, internal and external sex organs male, female, intersex “assigned male at birth” / “assigned female at birth” Gender is a social and legal status, and set of expectations from society, including “gender roles”; culturally and historically constructed

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity? Sexual orientation is a pattern of romantic or sexual attraction (or a combination of both) Heterosexual Homosexual Bisexual Pansexual Asexual

Pansexuality, or omnisexuality, is the sexual, romantic or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity

Gender Identity is one’s personal experience of one’s own gender and how you express gender through clothing, behavior, and personal appearance Cisgender Transgender Genderqueer Genderfluid

LGBTQIA Community L esbian G ay B isexual T rans* Q ueer (Questioning) I ntersex A sexual LGBTQIA Community

Trans* Transgender is an umbrella term and relates to people whose gender differs from the one they were given at birth Genderqueer Genderfluid Bigender Pangender Genderless/Agender

Frequently Asked Questions About Pronouns What are gender pronouns? Pronoun that a person uses for themself What are some commonly used pronouns? (She/Her/Hers, He/Him/His, They/Them/Theirs, Ze/Hir/Hir) How do I ask someone what pronouns they use? What if I make a mistake? https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/support/gender-pronouns/

Acceptance Around the World

India’s Transgender Community: The Hijra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgw7M-JABMg

Mexico’s Third Gender: Muxes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Bhp7i7WNcM&t=156s

First Nations or Native American: Two Spirit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDyaknNmg28

Being LGBTQ in a minority community Minority stress describes chronically high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups. It may be caused by a number of factors, including poor social support and low socioeconomic status, but the most well understood causes of minority stress are interpersonal prejudice and discrimination. Internalized homophobia Rejection sensitivity Refer to “Minority Stress” document Compiled by Rev. Kat Katsanis-Semel, M.A. of the Breaking Down Barriers Program at Mental Health America of San Diego County ~ ksemel@mhasd.org/619-210-4826

Thank you. The following LGBTQ materials and resources can be found on SDHF’s Resident Services Support Network website: Diversity and Inclusion defined Identifying LGBTQ Affirmative Senior Communities Minority Stress LGBTQ Key Terms Trevor Project Resources Residents Rights and the LGBT Community Understanding Issues Facing LGBT Older Adults