The term LGBTQ+ has been thrown around for years, but a lot of people don’t even know what it means. Some people at West are part of the LGBTQ+ community. However, when students walk through the hallways at West, they can often hear the term “gay” thrown out as an insult. This use of language is offensive and inappropriate!

LGBTQ+ is an acronym. The first five letters stand for respective genders. The L stands for lesbian, which is a term used for when females romantically love another female. G stands for gay, which is for when males romantically love another male. B is for bisexual, which means that a person romantically loves both male and female. T is for transgender. Transgender means that someone doesn’t identify with the sex they were born with. Q can stand for either queer or questioning. Queer is for people who are not sure how they identify themselves. The plus is for every other sexuality or gender in the community.

A common sexuality is pansexual, where a pan person could have a romantic attraction to anyone despite how that person identifies.

Then there is aromantic. Aromantic means that the person experiences little or no sexual or romantic attraction.

Gender-fluid is when someone doesn’t confine themselves to one gender and prefers to have no restrictions.

Some people don’t feel as though they should share this with other people, for fear they will be judged.

“West is a welcoming environment for all students. I know that the staff here at West is dedicated to making sure that all students have a positive experience during their middle school years,” Ms. Kulczycki, West’s new AP, confirms.

Interviewee Katrina Dioso, seventh grader, has some thoughts of her own, “Some [people at] West is welcoming to LGBTQ+ members.” Katrina claims that the friends she hangs out with accept her for who she is. Katrina also stated, “I don’t know how the staff feels about the [LGBTQ+ community].” However, Katrina does think that the staff members do try to stop kids from using “gay” as an insult.   

Our society often teaches children the only genders are women or man. Our society also influences us by teaching that only a woman or a man will fall in love with each other. That’s not always the case. There are many more identities than just a boy or a girl! In addition, not everyone will fall in love with the opposite sex – Some might not even ever fall in love!

Accept everyone and anyone! We’re all humans and we all deserve respect! No matter who you are, or what you want to be, don’t judge someone for who they are! Don’t use “gay” as an insult! Think before you speak!