The Importance of the LGBTQ+ Community in the United States

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual, queer and/or questioning, and others. The term and ones like it have become increasingly common in the United States and throughout the world, reflecting a movement towards increasing recognition and acceptance of sexual and gender minority individuals.

Whether you fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella yourself or not, you probably know some people that do. This is why it’s so important to be aware of the LGBTQ+ community, what it means to its members and how you can better support loved ones who identify as LGBTQ+.

Why is the LGBTQ+ Community Important?

The LGBTQ+ community is a group of individuals that fall outside of traditional sexual and/or gender expectations, along with their allies. Members of the community are often united by a common culture and social movements.

These communities usually celebrate individuality, gender, and sexuality, along with the importance of self-expression. LGBTQ+ activists believe that LGBTQ+ community-building leads the way for fighting against things like heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.

The term pride shows the LGBTQ+ community’s identity and strength as a collective. Events like pride parades are an excellent example of how people celebrate queer pride. 

Some groups that could be considered part of the LGBTQ+ community include queer neighborhoods, LGBTQ+ organizations, LGBTQ+ employee groups, LGBTQ+ student networks, and LGBTQ+-affirming religious organizations. 

In addition, LGBTQ+ communities may organize themselves into movements that support civil rights for LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide. 

Where Is the Highest Number of LGBTQ+ People in the United States?

Since the census does not ask individuals about their sexual orientation, there is no exact data in the United States about it. However, a new analysis of Gallup survey data provides the most accurate and detailed estimates thus far about where in the nation people have the highest LGBTQ+ population.

The Gallup analysis discovered that the largest concentration of LGBTQ+ people is in the West, according to the results. Of course, there are the expected cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Portland— and there’s also Denver and Salt Lake City, which are in the top 10.

On the other hand, some cities on the East Coast are famous for their LGBTQ+ nightlife and neighborhoods. These cities include New York, Miami, and Washington. Finally, the least number of LGBTQ+ people in urban areas are located in the Midwest and South.

How to Support LGBTQ+ People In Your Own Life

1. Be a Good Listener

One of the best ways to support someone is to listen to them. Hear what they have to say and really look to understand them.

This can be incredibly important for LGBTQ+ individuals, who have often spent years wrestling with their own sense of who they are.

2. Keep an Open Mind

It’s also important to keep an open mind. There may be much that you don’t know about your friend or family member, and some of your previous assumptions may be completely wrong.

Keeping an open mind means that you’re not making assumptions and you’re not jumping to conclusions. It also means that you’re not criticizing the life choices of your family member – particularly choices that you don’t fully understand.

Remember too that the person you’re talking to has a very different journey than you have had. They’ve faced challenges that you haven’t, so it’s important to be kind.

3. Spend Time with Them

Include and invite LGBTQ+ friends to spend time with your friends and family. Doing so reinforces the fact that you care about them, regardless of their sexual or gender identity.

Plus, LGBTQ+ people sometimes lose friends and social connections when they come out, making your social support even more critical.

4. Be Willing to Engage in Conversation

LGBTQ+ issues and considerations shouldn’t be a subject to be avoided. It’s often much better to have open conversations, which may include asking your friend or family member questions.

For example, if a gay family member recently found a partner, don’t avoid the topic because you find it uncomfortable. Ask the same questions and have the same conversations that you’d have if they were a heterosexual who had found a new romance.

5. Don’t Make Assumptions

Don’t make assumptions about people’s gender, their sexual orientation, or anything else. There are many differences between people and only some of these are obvious from the surface. Rather than assuming that people are heterosexual and cisgender, ask broad questions and go from there.

For example, rather than asking a woman whether she has a husband, you might ask who is significant in her life or whether she is seeing anyone.

6. Defend Your Friends

It’s also important to actively defend your friends when they’re faced with anti-LGBTQ+ words or actions. Sadly, LTBTQ+ people are still bullied and harmed regularly, simply for being who they are.

Having someone in their corner can help immensely.

You may also need to be an advocate for them in care situations. For example, many LGBTQ+ seniors are worried about discrimination in the care they receive, to the point that some choose to go back ‘in the closest’ in an attempt to protect themselves.

7. Speak Up When People Are Offensive

Speaking up is still important even when your friend isn’t with you. It’s past time that society stops being so negative about the LGBTQ+ community. The more vocal people are about stopping offensive talk when it happens, the faster things will change.

8. Confront Your Own Prejudices and Biases

Society has had a strong anti LGBTQ+ stance for a long time. Many remnants of that remain, even today.

It’s not surprising, then that many of us have our own underlying prejudices and biases, some that we might not even be aware of. Perhaps we assume that gay men are always feminine or are a danger to children.

It’s important to take the time to confront these prejudices and examine them, even when doing so is uncomfortable. This could involve researching the counter-arguments to what you feel or even talking to a trained professional.

Most of the time, however, this work shouldn’t be done with your LGBTQ+ friend or family member, as learning that a loved one holds prejudices against you can be painful.    

9. Use People’s Preferred Pronouns

Some members of the LGBTQ+ community use they/them/ze or something else as a pronoun, rather than him/her. This may be because they identify as non-binary, rather than as male or female.

In other cases, someone may choose a different pronoun than they previously used. For example, transgender women generally choose she/her as pronouns but will have been called he/him as a child.

Changes in pronouns can be difficult to get used to, but they’re often incredibly important for the person that requests them. It’s critical, then, to do your best to honor the person’s request and call them as they wish to be called.

You can also gently correct other family members, particularly those who don’t want to try and use correct pronouns.

10. Respect Their Decisions

Finally, remember we all have the right to our own decisions and values, the right to define how we live our lives.

Your family member or friend might make some decisions you don’t agree with, whether that’s where they live, what they wear, how they come out, whether they come out to everyone, or something else entirely.

There’s nothing wrong with discussing the decision with them. Doing so is often important, as the process can help them to work out whether they’re making a good decision or not.

However, when they’ve made their decision, it’s time for you to step back. Please don’t be one of those people who brings up the same thing at every meeting (like ‘why can’t you live closer?’ or ‘why don’t you come out to your family?’). Be their support instead.  

Ways to Be an Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community

Provide Financial Support

One of the most significant ways you can support the LGBTQ+ community is through financial contributions and support. According to a 2016 survey from Prudential Financial, LGBTQ+ respondents experience an income gap related to their sexual orientation or gender.

With income disparities occurring, many LGBTQ+ people require financial help to get through their daily lives. You can support the community by donating money to a marginalized person’s crowdfunding campaign, donating money to a renowned LGBTQ+ group, or by looking for other similar ways to provide financial aid. 

Be Inclusive of All Voices

A good LGBTQ+ ally will include all queer voices like BIPOC people (which stands for Black, Indigenous, and people of color), sex workers, impoverished trans people, people with disabilities, and many other identities. Fighting for the most marginalized people’s rights is essential, and the community and a good ally must support these groups.

Understand the Big Picture

To be a strong ally, it’s essential to learn how LGBTQ+ people’s gender identity and sexuality occur in relation to our culture’s social issues, such as sex work, workplace discrimination, and more.

For example, the Williams Institute reported that lesbian, gay, and bisexual employees are more likely to report being fired from their employment or denied job opportunities compared to their straight, cisgender, and white counterparts.

Support LGBTQ+ Artists

Supporting the LGBTQ+ community’s artists is essential to being a good ally. This can look like hosting panels for LGBTQ+ sex educators or providing spaces for the most marginalized identities in the community.

In Summary

Feeling part of the LGBTQ+ community can have a positive impact on people’s mental health, emotional well-being, and quality of life. The word ‘community’ is meaningful to many LGBTQ+ people and can create lasting connections.

More and more cities throughout the United States have LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods, resources, and opportunities for their queer communities.

You can be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community by being inclusive, providing financial support, and advocating for the community. For those LGBTQ+ people who you know personally, it’s important to find ways to be supportive. This includes listening to them, keeping an open mind, using their preferred pronouns, and defending them if the need arises.