#51. LGBTQ – How Do You Know?

This Conversation Will Help You…

1. Differentiate between sexual orientation and gender identity
2. Say where they fall in the different areas of identity
3. Know developmentally when people discover their orientation

Think About This First

The image of the genderbread person has been popularized online and used as a catalyst for conversation regarding gender.  However, it has come to our attention that the graphic used by Sam Killermann, from “itspronouncedmetrosexual.com,”  was actually a collaborative creation originally by trans people that he plagiarized, using without crediting the original creators. We have decided to use a more inclusive image created with accuracy by queer and trans individuals to help foster conversation as we discuss a topic that is difficult for many to understand. For more information regarding the graphic we have featured, please refer here.

Having the Conversation

Start here:

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Have you seen this genderbread before?  It really goes into detail about all these different aspects of our identity.

Have you thought about all of these aspects of your identity before?

How common is it to think about these things?

When I was your age, it was not very common/very common.

Do you feel like you know where you would fall in each of these categories?

What do you think about this?

Continue:

Do you think there are people who fit all the way on one side or the other?

Where do you think most people fit?

When did you start thinking about relationships with other people, or start having crushes?

Keep Talking:  

Did you know then what your sexual orientation was?

Do you remember when you first thought you were a boy or girl?

What do you remember about it?

Most people discover their sexual orientation between the ages of 14 and 24, but it’s been more common for people to come out or think about their orientation before the age of 14.

How early do you think someone could know these things about themselves? How does our society impact this? How do you think someone’s family values or religious values might affect their thoughts about sexual orientation?