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Learning about LGBTIQA+

What is LGBTIQA+

You’ve probably seen the letters LGBTIQA+ surrounded by rainbow flags and you’re wondering what it’s all about. These are just a few of the many signs and symbols people use to represent the diversity of sex, gender and sexuality found in humans. We celebrate this diversity at Monash, and you can learn more by reading below.

LGBTIQA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender-diverse, intersex, queer and questioning, asexual and aromantic, plus other related identities. You may have seen alternative versions of the abbreviation such as GLBT, LGBTIQ, LGBTQIA+, LGBTTIQQ2SA or LGBTIH, just to name a few. In Australia, we often see LGBTIQA+SB to explicitly include Sistergirl and Brotherboy, identities used by trans and gender-diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Sometimes, you’ll see the word queer used as an umbrella term for these various identities as well.

Since the 1980s, the term queer has been reclaimed as a positive self-identifier. This word operates as an umbrella term for diversity within sex, gender and sexuality by challenging the societal labelling of some people as “acceptable” and others as “unacceptable”.
However, some people feel uncomfortable identifying with queer because of the word’s history as an insult and slur. And that’s okay too.
We use the term queer in LGBTIQA+ as a way of including the constantly evolving set of identities that exist within the diversity of sex, gender, and sexualities across cultures, times, and contexts.
Regardless of the terminology used, Monash takes an inclusive stance on the term LGBTIQA+. The one thing all these terms have in common is they seek to include communities of people marginalised by the heteronormative model of society.
The heteronormative model of society privileges the social division of sex and gender into two complementary options (male and female) that support heterosexual relationships. Often, this takes the form of viewing gender roles and reproduction as “natural” and contrasting other forms of identity as “unnatural”. We think everyone should be valued and seen as natural – not regardless of their sex, gender or sexuality, but because of it.
Be your true self at Monash.
Because LGBTIQA+ identities are defined by their exception to the norm, there is often a need or desire to acknowledge this identity to others. This is commonly called ‘coming out’, a phrase that links back to homosexuality being seen as ‘in the closet’ and making this known to others was seen as coming out of the closet.
Telling other people about your sex, gender or sexuality can be a liberating experience. It can assist in removing stress and anxiety from your life and allow you to be your true self. However, not everyone wants to come out. Some people may not have a support network or the personal safety in their community.
It’s a very personal decision about who to tell and when to tell them. Because of this, if someone comes out to you, it’s not your choice to tell other people.
Coming out is often seen as a single event – the first time you tell someone. But it’s actually an ongoing activity that happens in many aspects of a person’s life. Every time a lesbian woman walks down the street holding her partner’s hand, she’s coming out. Whenever a trans man has to ask someone to ignore the legal name on his birth certificate, he’s coming out.
It often helps to talk with someone you trust. Whether that’s other LGBTIQA+ people, a professional counsellor, or just a close friend, having a solid support network can make coming out a much easier and less stressful experience.
Finding a community on campus can help. The student organisations and the halls of residence have networks of LGBTIQA+ students that help you know you’re not alone. Our support services and resources page has links to all these groups.

Understanding sex, gender and sexuality

Diversity within sex, gender and sexuality is the focus that brings LGBTIQA+ communities together. If you want to learn about the myriad concepts encompassed by LGBTIQA+, see our article Understanding sex, gender and sexuality.

Glossary of LGBTIQA+ terms

Monash uses the acronym LGBTIQA+ to be as inclusive as possible, while acknowledging other variations of this acronym exist and are also valid.

Workshops and training

Respectful Communities is made up of an interdisciplinary team, including a number of students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Our aim is to create an inclusive and equal Monash community by equipping our staff and students with the knowledge and skills they need to champion social and cultural change.

We have a number of LGBTIQA+ focussed modules and workshops as well several other training programs that raise awareness of, and educate our community about, issues including diversity and inclusion, harassment and discrimination, the prevention of gender-based violence, respectful relationships and sexual health.

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