Welcome to our @NCLUSION platform
Our platform includes training modules that aim to:
- Increase awareness and know-how of local authorities/policymakers on challenges faced by LGBTQI+ migrants, as well as on existing good and bad integration practices
- Enhance the understanding and sensitization of migrant communities and organizations on including LGBTQI+ migrants
- Enhance the understanding and sensitization of LGBTQI+ organizations on including LGBTQI+ migrants
Important Terminologies:
A. LGBTQI+ terminologies
LGBTQI+
- L-Lesbian: A woman who is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to other women
- G-Gay: Typically refers to a man who is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to other men, but can also be used as a broad term for people attracted to the same gender
- B-Bisexual: When a person is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to both men and women or to more than one sex or gender*.
- T-Transgender: It is a broad term for individuals whose gender identity, expression or behaviour differ from societal expectations based on their assigned sex at birth.
- Q-Queer: Wide range of diverse sexual orientation, gender identities and expressions
- I-intersex: Refers to people born with natural variations in sex characteristics; such as chromosomes, hormones, or genitals, that do not fit in the typical definitions of male or female bodies. These variations may be visible at birth, emerge during puberty or later in life. Intersex people may identify with any gender or sexual orientation.
- +: diverse SOGIESC -individuals who identify using other terms eg. asexual, agender 2s-2 spirit, pansexual
A wide range of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, including various SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics) identities. This includes individuals who identify with terms such as asexual, agender, 2S (Two-Spirit), pansexual.
[Q also stands for questioning : People who are still exploring and investigating their sexual or gender identity.]
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer (LGBTQI+) are not a homogenous group. The acronym LGBTQI+ itself contains a wide array of identities, genders, backgrounds and experiences which are complex, often divergent, and represent a variety of needs that require specific and tailored responses. The “plus” symbol represents numerous other categories, such as asexual and pansexual. Therefore, diversity is the only constant.
* Sex refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that distinguish males and females, including reproductive organs, chromosomes and hormone levels. (male/female)
Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, identities and expectations associated with being female or male, such as societal norms, roles and the relationships between women and men (man/woman)
Source: https://www.ilga-europe.org/about-us/who-we-are/glossary/
SOGIESC
Sexual Orientation
- heterosexual: Attraction to people of a different gender (e.g., a man attracted to women or a woman attracted to men).
- lesbian: A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
- gay: A person, often a man, who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Sometimes used broadly for homosexual individuals; individuals attracted to the same gender
- bisexual: Attraction to more than one gender or sex, both men and women, or to more than one sex or gender (more than one gender)
- pansexual: Attraction to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex; gender is not a determining factor, attraction to all genders. (gender-blind attraction).
- asexual: Experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others, though emotional or romantic attraction may still occur.
Gender Identity
- how a person sees/ deeply feels oneself in terms of gender; may or may not identify with sex assigned at birth
- man
- woman
- another gender
- no gender
- transgender
Gender Expression
- external manifestation of gender; people’s manifestation of their gender identity to others (eg. dress, speech, mannerisms).
- not always indicative of gender identity
- may or may not correspond to cultural norms
- may or may not match their gender identity/identities
- may or may not match with the gender they were assigned at birth.
People’s gender expression may or may not match their gender identity/identities, or the gender they were assigned at birth.
Sexual Characteristics
- Chromosomes
- Hormones
- internal organs & physical features-eg hair, voice
SOGIESC is an umbrella term for all people whose sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and/or sex characteristics place them outside culturally mainstream categories.
Source: https://euaa.europa.eu/publications/practical-guide-SOGIESC-cross-cutting-elements
Gender Identity
- Sex refers to the biological characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs) a person is assigned at birth; typically categorised as male or female.
- Gender Identity is a person’s deeply felt internal experience of their own gender; how they identify themselves, which may or may not align with their assigned sex, ncluding the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.
- For some people, gender identity corresponds with their sex assigned at birth (e.g., a person assigned female at birth identifies as a woman).
- For others, gender identity does not align with their assigned sex, and they may identify as transgender, non-binary, or in another way.
- Transgender or non-binary individuals experience their gender in ways that differ from traditional expectations. For example, they may:
- Identify strongly with a different gender than the one assigned at birth,
- Feel disconnected from both masculine and feminine genders,
- Experience their gender as a blend of both, or as something entirely unique.
Gender identity is personal, diverse, and valid, regardless of whether it aligns with societal norms or assigned sex at birth.
B. Migration terminologies:
Integration:
The process by which immigrants become accepted into society, both as individuals and as groups. The particular requirements for acceptance by a receiving society vary greatly from country to country; and the responsibility for integration rests not with one particular group, but rather with many actors: immigrants themselves, the host government, institutions, and communities.
Migrants:
“People who move by choice rather than to escape conflict or persecution, usually across an international border…used as an umbrella term to refer to any person who moves away from their usual place of residence (UNHCR)”.
Under the umbrella term ‘migrants’ fall a number of well-defined legal categories of people as well as those whose status or means of movement are not specifically defined under international law. The term ‘migrants’ reflects the common lay understanding of a person who moves away from their place of usual residence, whether within a country or across an international border, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons.
* There is no single, universally accepted official definition of “migrant” in international law.
Refugee:
“People who have been forced to move outside of their countries because of a threat of their lives or freedoms. They are defined and protected by a specific international legal framework…refugee status granted if fulfil the criteria contained in the definition (UNHCR)”.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee conflict or persecution and has crossed an international border to seek safety. They cannot return to their country without risking their life or freedoms. It is a legal term that carries with it certain protections that refugees are entitled to.
Asylum-seekers:
Asylum seeker: “A person who is outside their home country and submits an application for international protection; seeking protection (UNHCR)”.
An asylum-seeker is someone who is seeking international protection. In case of a negative decision, they must leave the country and may be expelled, as may any alien in an irregular situation, unless permission to stay is provided on humanitarian or other related grounds.
C. Migration and LGBTQI terminologies:
Intersectionality:
Refers to how different aspects of a person’s identity—such as race, gender, sexual orientation, disability and class—intersect and create unique experiences of discrimination and privilege.
Double stigma:
Refers to the compounding discrimination or prejudice faced by individuals due to two specific aspects of their identity. (UNHCR)
It is important to consider all aspects, including the understanding of the diverse needs of LGBTQI+ migrants and refugees, emphasising that the LGBTQI+ people should not be treated as a homogeneous group.
D. Video sources:
E. Watch out!
- Homosexual: In English, the term is seen by many to be clinical in nature; gay and lesbian are typically preferred where individuals identify using those terms.
- Sexual preference: Implies sexual orientation is a choice.
- Lifestyle, way of life: Implies gender and sexual diversity is a choice or that behavior can be modified.
- Community: There is no one “LGBTOI+ community.” The term people is preferred; populations may be used in specific instances when referring to particular groups of individuals.
- Special rights: The rights of people with diverse SOGIESC are addressed under existing international law. The United Nations does not seek to provide new or special rights for those with diverse SOGIESC.
- Abnormal or condition: Imply diverse SOGIESC are a sickness or a disease.
- Biological sex’ and ‘person born as male or female’: These phrases put an emphasis to the biological characteristics and perpetuate the idea that a person’s gender is innate and fixed.
- Transgendered, transgenders, transsexual, crossdresser: These terms were used in the past to refer to trans people, but are now considered outdated and most of them have been used to insult and invalidate trans people.
- Sexual and gender minorities: There are no sexual and gender minorities.