Hello there!
Shall we have a little chat about LGBTQ+ peeps and how some of us impose a sense of ownership on other people’s identities? 1/

When I was a baby gay, I discovered the queer rock band Tom Robinson. Tom sang about gay rights back in the late 70’s and was a real icon of mine. But guess what? Tom later came out as bisexual and married a woman. 2/

I remember feeling ‘betrayed’. How dare he not be gay?! He was my ‘gay icon’ and therefore being with a woman meant I now owned him less...

Now. Let’s remember I was 16. Over the next 5 years I developed my understanding of the queer community and of myself.

*deep breath* 3/

Today I see cis lesbians complaining about famous trans men, stating; ‘we’re losing a sister!’ and gay men complaining that when a historical figure is described as bisexual they are ‘losing a hero!’.

Someone growing in themselves within the queer community is never a loss!
4/

So the beauty of the ‘queer’ umbrella, the reason I will fight for that word even though some find it divisive, is it means we are all together: We don’t lose anyone because we don’t own anyone!

Making people feel bad for leaving your clubhouse is what 16 year-old’s do... 5/