The term LGBTQ+ encompasses many different sexualities and genders, here’s a breakdown for the abbreviation : L for Lesbian, for women who have phsycial/emotional (or both) attraction to other women G for Gay, men who have phsycial/emotional (or both) attraction to other men Bisexual : A person who is physical/emotional (or both) attraction to both men and women Transgender : A personal whose gender identity and expression don’t allign with their assigned gender at birth Q for Queer or Questioning, for people who are unsure of their sexual identity or orientation and going through the process of understanding where they allign on the spectrum I for Intersex a person who is born with sexual or reproductive anatomy that does not allign with their identified gender A for Asexual, who are only attracted to people emotionally, regardless of gender, but do not hold sexual physical attraction towards people. P for Pansexual, to describe a person who’s sexual attraction is not based on gender. K for Kink, people whose sexual preference is counterculture. For more information on Poly/Kink Relationships, visit our Counseling Services Page. LGBTQIA+, the + symbol represents all of the sexual and gender identities and expressions that are a part of this large spectrum.

Both sexuality and gender can be fluid - to help better understand the difference let’s break down the terms gender identity and expression, and sexuality. Gender Identity is the gender we identity with psychologically, regardless of birth sex. Think of this as the way we internally identify. Gender expression is the physical manifestation of this identity, showing identity through the expression of clothing, makeup, hair, body language, and other physical characteristics. Sexuality is attraction, which can be physically and emotionally, sexuality has a large spectrum from pansexual, asexual, heterosexual, polysexual, homosexual, and many more.

Both sexuality and gender can be fluid - to help better understand the difference let’s break down the terms gender identity and expression, and sexuality. Gender Identity is the gender we identity with psychologically, regardless of birth sex. Think of this as the way we internally identify. Gender expression is the physical manifestation of this identity, showing identity through the expression of clothing, makeup, hair, body language, and other physical characteristics. Sexuality is attraction, which can be physically and emotionally, sexuality has a large spectrum from pansexual, asexual, heterosexual, polysexual, homosexual, and many more.

No. Being gay, bisexual, trans, and other sexual and gender identities and expressions is not a mental illness. Sexual orientation is not a choice as some might believe, and as mental health professionals, it is our job to dispel the myth that being a part of the LGBTQ+ community means having a mental illness, and to advocate against unethical practices like conversion therapy. There is no reliable information supporting that conversion therapy is effective, and is considered in the Psycology Community to be psuedo science.