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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. Acceptance Around the World

10. India’s Transgender Community: The Hijra

11. Mexico’s Third Gender: Muxes

12. First Nations or Native American: Two Spirit

13. 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 ~

14. 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