Sexuality Leveraged Through Diversity: Recognizing LGBT+ Communities

Gender studies has embraced a wide band of issues related to sexual identity, belonging, community, selfperception, transitional status, perceptions by the media and the changing political landscape of acceptance of all queer members. Recent political events such as the AIDS crisis, ability to self-define one’s sexual orientation, marry and establish domestic partnerships, create families through adoption, increase in workplace accommodations, and expansion of the military, are but some of the milestones that have redefined opportunities for a significant population. The expanding gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual communities and their allies have documented more inclusive categories of acceptance in and by society at large. This path had many diversions in the literature, media and true life experiences, leading to a more open and visible lifestyle. Elements of greyness pepper the changes as the body politik emerges into rightful social acceptance. Social and religious undertones define and defy the status quo that protects all members with legal rights and opportunities. The spectrum of grey parallels the colorful rainbow symbolizing sexuality, life, healing, sunlight, nature, magic/art, serenity/harmony and spirit that has come to depict the range of inclusivity that transforms society. Political and religious sectors globally influence the social injustices that members of this diverse community experience. Social media, news, film, literature, and the arts each chronicles life and its nuances by promoting more discourse and sharing about experiences that were once taboo public issues. The campaign for public awareness for the LGBT+ community has changed social norms redefining gender in a more plural, less polarizing context. Grey literature was once the alternative source for earlier study of these issues which has transitioned to an increasingly open and interdisciplinary range of content. This paper explores how society leverages change by defining new social practices and etiquette that translates into advocacy, civility, acceptance and a new extended definition of community, family and self. The potential for more sophisticated social media to leverage diversity remains ongoing. The celebration and embrace of these LGBT+ communities reduces the grey tinge while leveraging more candor in treating sexuality. The role of social media, once considered very grey is also mainstreaming into more common and established venues for capturing, publishing and sharing of personal and community experiences. Gender and sexuality through storytelling and other avenues of social media contributes to new understandings of complex human nature with greater openness.Includes: Conference preprint, Powerpoint presentation, Abstract and Biographical notesXAInternationa