 Gay: males who are emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to other males.  Lesbian: females who are emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to other females.  Bisexual: A person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to males and females. This attraction does not have to be equally split between the two genders and there may be a preference for one gender over the other.  Transgender: A person whose gender identity does not match their anatomical sex. Often these people live as members of the gender that is opposite what they were assigned at birth. Sexual orientation varies and is not dependent gender identity.

 Queer: 1. An umbrella term which embraces a matrix of sexual preferences, orientations and the non-heterosexual/monogamous majority. 2. Sometimes used as a sexual orientation label, as a way of identify non-heterosexual status without having to state who they are attracted to. Also acknowledges that there are more than 2 genders. 3. A reclaimed word that was formerly used solely as a slur, but is now being reclaimed as a term of pride.  Intersex: A person who is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the “norm” of male or female. Includes abnormalities of the external genitals, internal reproductive organs, sex chromosomes, or sex-related hormones.  Asexual: Someone who experience a lack of sexual attraction

List What you did this weekend 3 places that are important to you 3 people that are important to you 3 things you like to talk about

 Biological Sex : comprised of anatomy, hormones and chromosomes Exists along a continuum Intersex concerns  Gender Identity: internal, psychological sense of self in terms of gender Includes gender expression (the way in which we communicate our gender) Both of these exist along a continuum

 Sexual Orientation: who you are attracted to This is innate and cannot be changed Includes physical, sexual, romantic and emotional attraction Exists along a continuum  Sexual Behaviors: how one acts sexually Include fantasies Not all gay sex is gay sex May or may not match orientation or identity  Sexual Identity : how one personally defines/names/labels oneself May or may not match orientation or behaviors

 Belief that people fall into distinct & complementary gender roles  Asserts heterosexuality is the norm and adherence to gender binary  Largely invisible and often subtle  Comes across in how we communicate  Often portrayed in the media  Prevalent in everyday life

 Intake forms asking for “mother” and “father”  Advertisements that only show “traditional” families  Laws that criminalize same-sex behaviors or do not give same-sex people the same rights  Education programs, including sex ed  Gender-ized toys  TV shows/movies with only heterosexual characters  Queerbaiting  Straight Privilege Checklist

 How is heteronormativity oppression??  Definition : an unjust or excessive exercise of power and authority  Historically, minority groups have been subject to this  Heteronormativity is a form of social regulation and control  Heterosexism and Heteronormativity create and support privilege for those in positions of power  Most, if not all, violence within LGBTQ communities is rooted in heterosexism and heteronormativity

LGBT Youth  Non accepting family (26%)  Bullying and school problems (21%)  Fear about being out (18%) Non LGBT Youth  Classes/grades/exams (25%)  College/career (14%)  Financial concerns related to job or college (11%)

 Increased risk for suicidal ideations/attempts  LGBT youth 4-6x more likely to attempt SX  8x more likely if parents and/or caregivers are highly rejecting  Increased risk for depression  5-6x higher among LGBT youth  Increased risk for substance use/abuse  2x more likely  Increased risk for eating disorders  Lesbians/bisexual females: 2x likely to report binge-eating and purging  Gay males: 7x more likely to report binge eating, 12x more likely to report purging

 Increased risk for homelessness  LGBT youth make up 3-5% of general US population, yet % of these youth are homeless  Increased risk of sexual victimization  Increased risk for bullying  2x more likely to report verbal harassment and physical harassment  Increased risk for STDs and pregnancy  Lesbian and bisexual youth 2x as likely to become pregnant  92% of LGBT youth report hearing negative messages about being LGBT

List top 10 most important people/places/things that you could not live without

 Family rejection or non-support  Possibility of being kicked out of the home  Possible financial dependence  Religion is often condemning and/or rejecting  Can increase harassment/bullying at school  Being “outed”  Who to tell and when  Homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia

 Issues of privilege  Issues of access  Increased risk of violence  Trauma and re-traumatization  Invasive and inappropriate questions  Name and pronoun  Janet Mock Turns the Table Janet Mock Turns the Table

 The personal is political  Personal and social identities are interdependent  Saliency must be addressed  Relationships are egalitarian

 Consciousness Raising  Explore internalized heterosexism  Self-Disclosure  Gender-Role Analysis  Reframing and relabeling  Advocating and activism  Place trauma within framework of oppression

 Look for clues  Be respectful (name, history, pronoun)  ASK  Use inclusive language  Make questions routine  Increase visibility  Be aware of gendered spaces  Only ask questions that are relevant to care

Contact Information: Sabrina L. Valente, MA