An ongoing list of myths and facts about the LGBTQ community. This is not an exhaustive list and if you have a myth you’d like us to disprove, please contact us. Adapted from Antigonish Women’s Resource Center and the StFX Office of Human Rights & Equity’s “Positive Space Training Manual.”
MYTHS & FACTS
MYTH OR FACT?
MYTH: I DON'T KNOW ANY LGBTQ PEOPLE.
Fact: It is likely that you know someone who’s gay – they just may not be out to you yet.
- You may not be aware of the LGBTQ people around you, although a fair percentage of the population is LGBTQ. Many LGBTQ individuals choose to pretend to be straight in order to avoid being victims of harassment and homophobia.
MYTH: LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS DO NOT MAKE GOOD PARENTS.
Fact: Gay or Straight, doesn’t matter, both can be good parents.
- Heterosexual parents are not more loving or caring than their LGBTQ counterparts – gender identity or sexual orientation does not impact parenting capabilities.
MYTH: BISEXUALS JUST CAN'T MAKE UP THEIR MINDS.
Fact: Bisexuality is real.
- Someone’s sexuality isn’t ‘waiting to make a decision’, it is just a part of who they are. Bisexual people are attracted to both sexes/genders to varying degrees. Some are more attracted to men, some more to women, and some equally to both. Bisexual is no more a choice than gay or straight.
MYTH: ALL MEN WHO DRESS AND ACT LIKE WOMEN ARE GAY.
Fact: How you act or dress does not define your sexuality.
- As in the broader population, a certain percentage of cross-dressers are gay, however cross-dressing is not correlated with sexual orientation. Additionally, the way someone acts or expresses themselves, whether in a masculine, feminine, or androgynous nature, does not define their sexual orientation.
MYTH: LOVING PEOPLE OF THE SAME SEX IS IMMORAL.
Fact: Love knows no bounds.
- Many religious denominations do not believe this. What is universally understood is that hatred and intolerance are wrong.
MYTH: TRANS PEOPLE CAN BE "CURED" BY PSYCHOTHERAPY. TRANS INDIVIDUALS ARE REALLY JUST HOMOSEXUALS.
Fact: Trans people are real.
- Sexual orientation and gender identity are two separate and distinct aspects of an individual. Although they may interplay in distinct ways for different people, one element of an individual’s identity should not be assumed to be connected to, or indicative of another.
MYTH: LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS COULD CHANGE IF THEY REALLY WANTED TO.
Fact: No one can change their sexual orientation.
- Studies have shown that sexual orientation is something that is biologically inherent within us and cannot be changed.
MYTH: AIDS IS A GAY DISEASE.
Fact: AIDS can affect anyone.
- AIDS affects everyone. Sexual orientation offers no protection against HIV/AIDS contraction and the perception of AIDS as a gay disease and the resulting homophobia puts everyone, LGBTQ or not, at an increased risk.