The LGB Alliance, known for its contentious stance on LGBTQ+ issues, has recently released a report that questions the usage of the terms ‘queer’ and ‘LGBTQ+.’ The report, titled “Don’t Call Me Queer: A Survey of Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals about Language and its Impacts,” has raised eyebrows within the LGBTQ+ community.
Questionable Claims and Controversy
In this document, the LGB Alliance surveys its own supporters, attempting to justify the removal of transgender and queer individuals from the LGBTQ+ acronym. The report contains numerous negative assertions about the inclusion of trans individuals in LGB spaces, exemplified by a question suggesting that LGBTQ+ organizations cannot validate homosexuality while respecting the identity of a trans man.
The LGB Alliance has a history of objections to the term ‘queer,’ often using it as a dog whistle for discussions on gender identity. In the report, the group challenges the use of ‘queer’ and ‘LGBTQ+’ terminology, calling for their discontinuation across the UK.
Survey Results and Criticism
While the report claims to advocate for free speech, its methodology is questionable. It received responses from only a fraction of its subscribers and admits that the findings represent the views of the organization and its members, not the wider LGBTQ+ UK public. Surprisingly, the report asserts that 94 percent of LGB Alliance supporters prefer being defined as LGB, with 7 in 10 feeling uncomfortable using LGBTQ+. This contradicts a YouGov survey that found a majority favor using LGBTQ+.
Misguided Comparisons and Misconceptions
The report also draws a comparison between LGBTQ+ and the defunct term BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic), suggesting that both terms are no longer helpful. However, LGBTQ+ and queer have historical significance and reflect the diversity within the community. Contrary to the report’s claims, the existence of transgender and non-binary individuals does not diminish homosexuality.
Additionally, the report alleges that the term ‘queer’ is derogatory, despite its reclamation by many in the LGBTQ+ community. It lumps those who identify as queer with trans and non-binary individuals, advocating for their exclusion from discussions on LGB rights.
Fragmenting the LGBTQ+ Community
The LGB Alliance’s report is consistent with its mission to divide the LGBTQ+ community, as it has done since its formation in 2019. The group’s controversial stances, including opposing same-sex marriage, resisting a blanket conversion therapy ban, and attracting support from anti-abortion and extremist groups, have been widely criticized within the LGBTQ+ community.
In summary, the LGB Alliance’s recent report raises questions about its commitment to inclusivity and unity within the LGBTQ+ community. Its attempts to challenge widely accepted terminology and exclude certain groups from discussions continue to generate controversy and backlash.