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LGBTQ

LGBT, or GLBT, is an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. In use since the 1990s, the term is an adaptation of the initialism LGB, which was used to replace the term gay in reference to the LGBT community beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s. Activists believed that the term gay community did not accurately represent all those to whom it referred.

The initialism, as well as some of its common variants, have been adopted into the mainstream as an umbrella term for use when labeling topics pertaining to sexuality and gender identity.

The initialism LGBT is intended to emphasize a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. It may refer to anyone who is non-heterosexual or non-cisgender, instead of exclusively to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. To recognize this inclusion, a popular variant adds the letter Q for those who identify as queer or are questioning their sexual identity; LGBTQ has been recorded since 1996. Those who add intersex people to LGBT groups or organizing may use the extended initialism LGBTI. These two initialisms are sometimes combined to form the terms LGBTIQ or LGBT+ to encompass spectrums of sexuality and gender. Other, less common variants also exist, with some being rather extreme in length, resulting in an initialism over twice as long, which has prompted some criticism.

What should we use as gender-neutral pronouns for non-binary people?
It should be up to the individual to decide what their pronouns should be
Individuals may not agree with any current pronoun options
If a specific set of pronouns is made official, there is no guarantee that everyone will feel that it is natural or relevant to them. It would only end up being another pronoun set forced upon unwilling persons who feel they identify as something else entirely.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination
Biden has made many campaign promises to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
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What should we use as gender-neutral pronouns for non-binary people?
We should use a new set of gender-neutral pronouns for non-binary persons
A new gender-neutral pronoun would be more meaningful
Using something new would give those in the LGBTQ community a set of pronouns which they can lay claim to. It would be a point of pride to "own" a unique set of pronouns made specifically for the LGBTQ community.
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What should we use as gender-neutral pronouns for non-binary people?
We should use a new set of gender-neutral pronouns for non-binary persons
It is improper grammar to use singular "they/them"
It would be detrimental to learning to change the grammatical rules which are already in place, as students would then have to unlearn old grammar - it is more difficult to unlearn something than it is to learn something new. Therefore it is more logical to use a new set of gender-neutral pronouns.
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Should transgender children medically transition?
No, transgender children and adolescents should not medically transition
The child/adolescent may not actually have gender dysphoria
Gender dysphoria and mental illnesses like depression and anxiety have overlaps in some of their symptoms. Additionally, prepubescent and pubescent minors may feel resistant to their assigned gender's gender roles for reasons other than gender dysphoria. Because these separate issues can be mislabeled as gender dysphoria by minors, minors who think that they may be transgender should not medically transition.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should use the bathroom that matches their identity
Transgender people will be safer
Navigating the world as a visibly trans person is dangerous and taking away bathroom choice makes it even more so.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
Homosexuality is a genetic trait that runs throughout generations
Homosexuality is a genetic trait passed from parents to children. The gene continues to spread throughout generations. The extended families of homosexuals tend to have multiple family members attracted to members of the same sex.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
Xq28 is the gay gene
Scientists have been able to trace same-sex attraction to a single gene, Xq28.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
Epigenetics confirm people are born gay
The same genetic code can be expressed differently depending on chemical changes that take place before birth.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
We can't choose our sexual orientation because it's genetically inherent
We have a stake in our own development through free will and existential choice. If we can't choose our sexuality, it must be innate rather than developed. Genetics and physical development can't be changed.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
Gay and straight people show neurological differences
Gay people have a different neurological structure to their heterosexual peers.
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Are people born gay?
Yes, people are born gay
The fraternal birth effect shows people are born gay
The more older brothers you have, the higher the likelihood of you being attracted to members of the same sex.
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Are people born gay?
No, people are not born gay
Sexual orientation is not a binary outcome
Only things with binary outcomes can be reduced to genetics. Sexual orientation is not binary, it is fluid.
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Are people born gay?
We don't know if people are born gay
The word is still out on genetics and homosexuality
Although numerous studies have been conducted, none have come to a definitive conclusion. Between small data sets and conflicting results, the current studies show no conclusive evidence.
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Are people born gay?
We don't know if people are born gay
People can't be born "gay" if the word itself is fluid.
The terms "gay", "straight" and "bisexual" don't have clear meanings. People change their sexuality and even "experiment" with relationships outside of their sexual preference. If we can't define the terms, how can we trace their origins?
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Are people born gay?
It doesn't matter if people are born gay
We are better off not knowing
The answer to the question will only have negative repercussions for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Are people born gay?
It doesn't matter if people are born gay
You shouldn't get to define someone else’s homosexuality
The reasons someone is gay are highly personal. Nobody should be allowed to tell someone else why they are gay.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be legalized
Not allowing same-sex marriage is discriminatory
To grant different legal rights on the basis of gender, religion, race or sexual orientation is discrimination.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be legalized
Gay marriage is beneficial to the economy
A country or state can create a more competitive economic market by legalizing gay marriage. Many businesses argue that legalizing gay marriage would allow employers a larger pool of creative and hard-working employees. Local economies would also benefit from the revenue from weddings and marriage license fees.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be legalized
The definition of marriage is always changing
The definition of marriage is constantly shifting as societal attitudes change.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be legalized
Marriage is a fundamental right for all
Everyone has the legal right to marry their partner of choice. The option for a person to marry whomever they want is legal in numerous countries, including the United States and Germany.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Same-sex couples should be allowed to enter civil unions
Marriage remains a religious ritual
Civil unions can grant legal rights to gay couples without infringing on the religious ritual of marriage.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Same-sex couples should be allowed to enter civil unions
Civil unions provide the best of both worlds
Civil unions offer a compromise that enables all those who advocate for and against same-sex marriages to be able to keep their stand. While a compromise does not scream equality between heterosexuals and homosexuals, it is definitely a step in the right direction.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be illegal
Homosexuality is against many religious beliefs
Many religions do not condone homosexual relations. To acknowledge these relationships through legal recognition of any kind would be an affront to many religions.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be illegal
Gay marriage goes against the institution of marriage
The ideals of the marital institution are not compatible with homosexual relationships.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
Gay marriage should be illegal
Gay marriage would undermine the fidelity of marriage
Gay people are more prone to extra-marital affairs. Allowing them legal marriage rights would undermine the fidelity of marriage.
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What are the views on the legalization of gay marriage?
It is an irrelevant debate
Only God determines the legitimacy of a marriage
It is not the role of the state to determine who we can and cannot marry.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
It is unenforceable
Transgender bathroom use can't be policed
There is no practical way of enforcing a prohibitive bathroom law
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Should transgender children medically transition?
Yes, transgender children and adolescents should medically transition
Transgender children and adolescents should medically transition, but only once they begin puberty
Some studies have shown that transgender kids who claim to experience gender dysphoria before puberty may outgrow their gender dysphoria. The rate of "outgrowing" gender dysphoria greatly decreases after puberty.
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Should transgender children medically transition?
Yes, transgender children and adolescents should medically transition
Medically transitioning has less health risks than not treating gender dysphoria
Transgender children and adolescents are at higher risks for depression, anxiety, and suicide than their peers, but social support and transitioning helps alleviate the gender dysphoria that causes those conditions. Transgender children and adolescents should be able to medically transition if they so choose because it is immensely helpful to their mental health.
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Should transgender children medically transition?
No, transgender children and adolescents should not medically transition
Children and adolescents change their minds frequently
Childhood and adolescence are stages in life where identity and desires are frequently changing. Children and adolescents thus should not make such a life-altering decision as medically transitioning.
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Should transgender children medically transition?
No, transgender children and adolescents should not medically transition
The health risks of transitioning for children are too great
We don't know enough yet about how puberty blockers and hormone treatments effect young bodies. It is too risky currently to allow trans children and adolescents to medically transition.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
It is irrelevant
Transgender people require treatment not accomodation
Transgender people suffer from an illness. Rather than trying to accommodate them, we should be trying to treat their mental illness. Transgender people need treatment, not accommodation.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should not use the bathroom that matches their identity
Sexual liberty should not trump religious liberty
Religions are against trans people, so we should not allow them to self identify
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will expand healthcare for LGBTQ+ individuals
Biden will ensure equitable healthcare protections for Americans regardless of their identity.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will protect LGBTQ+ people in the Criminal Justice System
LGBTQ+ people face undue violence and discrimination in the Criminal Justice System.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will collect hate crime data
Hate Crime and other necessary data on LGBTQ+ demographics are necessary to protect marginalized groups.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LGBTQ+ people should vote for Donald Trump.
Trump will combat HIV/AIDS
The Trump Administration has been heavily invested in ending the AIDS epidemic and helping members of the LGBTQ+ community to overcome struggles with HIV/AIDS by providing necessary treatment.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should use the bathroom that matches their identity
It would make non-conforming cisgender people more comfortable
Anyone whose gender presentation does not align with society's conventions would face fewer difficulties.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should use the bathroom that matches their identity
Trans women are not predators
The main argument against self identification is that trans people are a danger, but this is deeply untrue.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should use the bathroom that matches their identity
Trans identities are valid
Being a trans woman is no different to being a cis woman, and they should not face different treatment.
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Should transgender people use the bathroom that matches their identity?
Transgender people should not use the bathroom that matches their identity
Transgender people are dangerous to cis women
Trans women are more dangerous and predatory than cis women, cis men could also take advantage of the law to gain access to female restrooms
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will support LGBTQ+ youth
Biden promises in his campaign to protect the rights of LGBTQ+ youth.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will protect LGBTQ+ people from violence
Biden recognizes the unique threat of violence against LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LQBTQ+ people should vote for Joe Biden.
Biden will advance global LGBTQ+ rights
Homosexuality is illegal in 73 countries, and punishable by death in some of them. Biden will work to legalize being LGBTQ+ abroad.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LGBTQ+ people should vote for Donald Trump.
Trump will end the international criminalization of homosexuality
Homosexuality is illegal in 73 countries. The Trump Administration will seek to make it legal across the world through diplomatic efforts.
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Should LGBTQ+ vote for Trump or Biden?
LGBTQ+ people should vote for Donald Trump.
Trump supported LGBTQ rights before being elected president
Trump has a long track record of supporting LGBTQ rights before he even considered running for president.
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This page was last edited on Thursday, 17 Sep 2020 at 09:02 UTC