Thread

For the second time this week, a nurse has asked me whether the term LGBTQ+ should be replaced by the phrase “sexual and gender minorities” in nursing texts.

1/

In both instances, it was a heterosexual, cisgender nurse leader asking me.

2/

Part of why this question keeps coming up is because NIH uses the term “sexual and gender minorities.”

3/

However, people who are *part* of the community generally use the terms “LGBTQ+” or “LGBTQIA+.”

4/

The “A” stands for “asexual,” not “ally,” BTW.

5:

The term “sexual and gender minorities” others people who are LGBTQ+, defining us solely by our relation to (or deviation from) those in the majority.

6/

Nurses and other health professionals:

Please don’t try to rebrand LGBTQ+ people as “sexual and gender minorities.” Since gender and sexual orientation are both spectrums, there are WAY more of us than you think.

7/

Thanks!

/end thread