One thing I dont get about LGBT

Is the T. Transgender is an entirely different issue than sexual preference and I think it is misleading and confusing to group them together. That mistakingly gives some people the perception that transgender people are gay/homosexual when their issue revolves more around gender identity and not sexual preference. I support gay marriage and I support a person choosing whatever bathroom they want, but they seem like very different issues to me. What do you think?

@sonicare: It's a coalition of people who are sexually different from the "norm". Sexuality is all biology, so they for sure belong in LGBT.

I mispoke in my initial post. It should say gender identity and not sexual identity. Gender and sex are very different, thus I feel that LGB and T are very different issues. Edit - i guess i didnt. I did make the distinction.

@sonicare: Gender and sex are very related. Being transgender is commonly driven by sexuality. Either way that's not entirely what LGBT is about. It's a coalition - the full acronym being LGBTTQQIAAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, pansexual). Many issues around a common theme of being sexually different, gender is definitely included.

This. It's just wise from a strategy perspective, really, if you want to enact change. The broader you make your tent, the louder your voice is, and the more power you have.

My fiance is bisexual. I asked her if she felt like she belonged to LGBT. She laughed and said '**** no!...Just because I'm an equal opportunity employer doesn't mean I have to identify with a group'....

I have nothing against the LGBT movement, I just found it kind of funny.

I wonder were this might heading ... ?

I feel it's because there's a lot of overlap in their supporters/detractors. A person will likely have the same or similar stance on gay rights as they do on transgender rights. Plus, they're all about genitals when we get right down to it. But I see your logic. I hadn't even thought about it before, but they are separate issues in many regards.

L = legally in love

G = Gorgeous Gentlement

B = Best of Both world

T = Totally confuse

It's just a label, that includes people who could identify themselves as being in that group, so they feel they have a voice. I personally think human beings are subject to to many variables, that I myself wouldn not choose to be in a group, but it is very useful for people who feel they dont have a voice.

But is it? Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual and asexual all have to do with sexual preference. Transgender has to do with gender identity. What you view your gender as. I believe it's possible to be transgender and straight and transgender and gay. I just find transgender issues to be very different than sexual preference issues. It's not about determining what sex they prefer, it's about identifying with a specific gender. Sex may have nothing to do with it.

I always considered LGBT to represent what people identify themselves as so Transgendered would certainly fit that criteria.

Yes, the science is pretty much in on whether homosexuality is biologically driven, but not so much with transsexualism.

Because they face the same kind of discrimination? Meaning people who discriminate against one group is likely be against the others as well; I can't imagine the people who are in support of SC transgender restroom laws are big proponents of gay right.

I am not sure, but I believe you raise a valid point and I have wondered the same thing as T never seemed to completely fit with LBG. Thanks for raising the point.

The big issued I've had with this whole transgender debate is that people using the word gender and the word sex interchangeably as if they are the same thing. Sex is a biological distinction while gender is a social construct that determines social norms based on sex. People on both sides of the issue are terribly wrong when they discuss the issue because they confuse these two terms so terribly. Transgender issues are a very different debate then the homosexual one. Although both groups of people are subject to the same level of discrimination.

I don't really understand transgender people at all, or why we are dealing with this issue right now when so much else probably needs to be fixed in the world.

Christ, let them use whatever goddamned bathroom they want, I really don't give a ****. Maybe the only solution will be to make all bathrooms into family bathrooms that only one person can use at a time?

That has already been done in my entire province and so far I have heard of 0 abuse.

We are dealing with it because it serves as a red herring. Very minor issue, like gay marriage was, despite the attention this gets.

Nonetheless. This issue is still somewhat entertaining.

I think we spend to much attention and resources on what is only 3.2% of the total US population (LGBT).

I have no problem in what you are, want to be, or think you are. You are free to be and do, I wont be against that. The problem is you then expecting and demanding society to change for you.

Another example is fat people. I dont really care and I'll respect you for the human being your are. Everyone deserves a decent amount of respect and not to be mistreated. But you cant demand special treatment or for things to be rearrange for you. Its no one else fault, issue, or problem that you dont fit into what has already been in place for everyone's general use and accessibility.

What special treatment do LGBT people want?

Wanting the rights and protections everyone else has is not special treatment.

Yeah I agree with that.

People just need to start using family bathrooms or construct bathrooms in a fashion people won't care what gender goes into them.

you are spinning and mis-spreading what I said.

I said we give too much attention. I didnt fucking say we should not care at all.

Too much means, it gets more than its need it compared to the actuality.

See how you dont know how to read?

But lets play your game... even If only 3.2% kids are getting bullied... thats actually pretty good and we wouldnt need to give so much attention because the percentage is so low. Why would you spend so much attention and resources on such a small problem? We can still give it attention and such, but not so much because its not needed it.