How the linguistics in the LGBTQ+ community help with creating an environment of inclusion and support.

In the last few years the global LGBTQ+ community has made significant strides and with this, they have had to adjust to the everchanging atmosphere of society and one of the most notable ways which the community has evolved is the language which members of the community use to communicate with one another. There are many phrases and words developed by the LGBTQ+ community, that if used in a group of heterosexual individuals would not make any sense.

One’s sense of identity is partially shaped by the language they are surrounded by and use, this can be also be applied to the LGBTQ+ community, and this language is very important as it has the power to offer the validation and acknowledgement of identities and the power to deny them as well. In the LGBTQ+ community, the language is used as a form of slang to communicate ideas and language to identify an individual’s position, in the world and as a member of the LGTBQ+ community. Although being an LGBTQ+ member is more so accepted than it has been in the past, identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community is in some part still such a sensitive topic which has made being able to “come out” difficult this applies to my primary source, Source A, as they do not feel safe enough to be able to come out.

One of the ways in which language has been developed in the LGBTQ+ community to create a sense of inclusion for individuals of different orientation. is the use of gender pronouns. These include the use of words such as they, them, theirs (in the plural or singular), Ze or zie (pronounced like “Zee”), which replaces she, he, they and Hir/hirs (pronounced like “here”), which replaces her/hers, him/his, or them/theirs. These highlight the many ways in which language is used in the LGBTQ+ community to affirm and support people for who they are and how they identify. They are gender-neutral or gender-inclusive pronouns which are pronouns which do not associate a gender with the individual who is being discussed. It allows for a person to not be invalidated by their physical appearance but to be an individual and to show that gender does not define who they are. Source A stated that language was important in the LGBTQ+ community by saying “probably the supportive language that prevails over ignorance and the heteronormative side of society, it makes the world seem less like a scary place and more endearing maybe like we need to learn to coexist peacefully together but unless those who discriminate against other queer people in the community stop doing so this won’t be easily obtainable.”(Source, A 2018)

Although such pronouns are used some people in the LGBTQ+ people such as trans people would prefer to be referred to as he, she, him, and her because they identify as either male or female after being born in the wrong body they would prefer to be acknowledged for who they truly are. It is the opposite of pronouns as in such cases gender does define to these people are as they have spent years being someone they believed they were not this usually applies to those who are transgender in the LGBTQ+ community for example if an individual was born male but then transitioned into a female they would usually prefer to be addressed by the gender they have become with the use of words such as she, her, girl woman etc. As they have been a person they believe they were not for so long and when they transition they would like to be acknowledged for who they truly are, this is a demonstration of the power of language in the LGBTQ+ community.

Slang is also used to create a sense of belonging and affinity in the LGBTQ+ community, which if used in ordinary context would not make sense nor easily translate. Knowing that you can speak with confidence and sureness without the fear of judgement is what slang in the LGBTQ+ does for individuals they can identify one another without judgement these include words and phrases such as “femme”, which refers to all classes of gender to indicate connection to a queer femininity, this caters to all individuals, for example, some homosexual women identify as “butch” which is used to describe a person who identifies themselves as masculine whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. Although they identify as butch they are still in touch with their feminine side and would like for people to acknowledge their connection to their feminine side as they are a queer woman and still have a connection to queer femininity. When it comes to the slang of the LGBTQ+ community, Source A expressed its helpfulness in creating comfortability “I'm currently still ‘in the closet’ so I haven’t yet experienced language from people around me or in my immediate community, one thing to note though is that the language that others in the LGBTQ+ community use particularly online has definitely helped me feel more comfortable. learning what everything meant was difficult at first, but I definitely know more than I did before.” Another way in which slang has affected the inclusivity of the community is through its versatility. For example, referring to someone as “sis” in an heterosexual environment means that that person is a heterosexual female whilst in the LGBTQ+ community it is used as a term of affection towards anyone who one admires or is friendly towards as sexuality does not define an individual so being referred to by a heterosexual term does not usually offend people as in the LGBTQ+ community people understand that gender is not an identification of who a person is. Language in the LGBTQ+ community is about creating acceptance and individuals do not have to conform to societal norms whether it be gender or sexual attraction.

One of the primary examples of language creating inclusivity in the LGBTQ+ community is the term “love is love” this is a common slogan in the LGBTQ+ community it is used to validate the marriage of LGBTQ+ members the philosophy of the slogan is if two consenting adults are in love they have the right to be together despite their sexuality or orientation. This is a primary example of inclusivity through language in the LGBTQ+ community as people can feel what they feel and love whom they want to love without judgement or prejudice. It showcases the supportive environment of the LGBTQ+ community people are free to be who they are even if it goes against societal norms.

The environment of the LGBTQ+ community and its inclusivity is very vast this can be seen again in terms such as ‘mx’ which is an honorific that is gender-neutral. Although it is often used when addressing individuals who do not identify within gender binary it is an honorific that can be used by anyone it is meant to create a sense of individuality as one is not defined by gender but rather they are equal when compared to anyone else. This all-inclusive language has helped many with knowing who they were in the community Source A described what it was like when they first entered into the realm of the LGBTQ+ community “when I first realised I was part of the community the language I found online definitely helped me accept who I was particularly having a label for how I was feeling. Having the language to finally describe how I felt also made me feel like I had found my group of people who would embrace me.” (Source, A 2018)

Another way in which linguistics in the LGBTQ+ community help with creating an environment of inclusion and support is through the takeback of once offensive words and phrases. Three great examples of these words include the words ‘queer,’ ‘f*ggot,’ ‘d*ke’ and other offensive phrases. These phrases were once viewed as offensive slurs but in modern-day we see members of the LGBTQ+ community using them more to identify themselves and take back the power of the words. This has been seen in many forums such as stand-up comedy were many LGBTQ+ community members have been using them in their shows a great example of this would be Lea DeLaria became the first openly gay comic on television who uttered the words “It’s the 1990s, it’s hip to be queer, and I’m a bi-i-i-i-ig d*ke!” During this time homophobia was widespread but this was the reason behind her “announcement” to take back the power of the phrase. (Nevins, J 2018) Today the word queer is no longer a slur but rather a term to identify one’s sexual identity. Source A stated that being able to take back the once derogative terms was empowering “it’s empowering to be able to take back language and terms that were once seen as derogatory, this ability to turn negative things and language into positive is one of the reasons the community is thriving and successful today.” (Source, A 2018)

Language will always be a powerful force in the world it can be used to both give and take away a person’s identity, and in the LGBTQ+ community, the bounds of language are non-existent especially within the modern age.

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Nevins, J 2018 'The world of comedy has changed': how queer comics are making their mark in America accessed 23 July 2019 <https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2018/jun/08/lgbt-comics-making-mark-tig-notaro-lea-delaria>

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