LGBT Essay Examples

The term “LGBT” technically stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. It includes both sexual orientation (LGB) and gender identity (T). But, it’s sometimes used as an umbrella term for anyone who does not identify as straight (heterosexual) or cisgender, so it’s important to know other sexual and gender identities the term covers.

The first widely used term, homosexual, now a term used primarily in scientific contexts, has at times carried negative connotations in the United States. Gay became a popular term in the 1970s.
As lesbians forged more public identities, the phrase gay and lesbian became more common.
From about 1988, activists began to use the initialism LGBT in the United States. Not until the 1990s within the movement did gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people gain equal respect.

Pride Month is celebrated in June because of the Stonewall riots.
The Pride movement we know and love today wouldn’t be possible without Brenda Howard.
The Pride flag came into being in 1978.
Most of the early marches were about liberation, but that gradually fell away.
42% of people who are LGBT report living in an unwelcoming environment.