Legal Definitions - LGBT

LGBT is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. It is an umbrella term used to refer to a diverse group of people who share non-heterosexual sexual orientations or non-cisgender gender identities.

• Lesbian refers to women who are primarily romantically, emotionally, or sexually attracted to other women.
• Gay typically refers to men who are primarily romantically, emotionally, or sexually attracted to other men. It can also be used as a broader term for anyone attracted to people of the same sex.
• Bisexual describes individuals who are romantically, emotionally, or sexually attracted to people of more than one sex or gender identity.
• Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity—their internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or somewhere else along the gender spectrum—differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not necessarily involve medical transition or changes in physical appearance.

The term LGBT represents a community that advocates for equal rights, recognition, and social acceptance. It is often expanded to LGBTQ (adding "Queer" or "Questioning") or LGBTQ+ to include a wider range of sexual orientations and gender identities.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of the term LGBT:

• Example 1: Community Advocacy and Support

  A local non-profit organization hosts a series of workshops focused on mental health support and legal aid specifically tailored for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. They also organize a public awareness campaign during Pride Month to celebrate the contributions and experiences of the LGBT community in their city.

  This example illustrates LGBT as a collective identity for a community seeking specific resources, support, and public recognition for its members, encompassing the diverse experiences of sexual orientation and gender identity.

• Example 2: Workplace Diversity and Inclusion Policies

  A large technology company updates its employee handbook to include comprehensive non-discrimination policies that explicitly protect LGBT employees from harassment or unfair treatment based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The company also establishes an employee resource group for its LGBT staff members to foster a more inclusive work environment.

  This demonstrates how the term LGBT is used in a corporate context to define a protected class of individuals and to guide policies aimed at promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the workplace.

• Example 3: Legal Protections and Rights

  A state legislature debates a bill proposing to ban discrimination against LGBT individuals in public accommodations, such as hotels, restaurants, and shops. Proponents argue that without such a law, a person could be denied service simply because they are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, highlighting the need for legal safeguards for this specific demographic.

  This example shows LGBT being used in a legal and legislative context to identify a group whose rights and protections are being considered under the law, addressing issues related to equality and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.