When I used to train therapists regarding LGBTQ myths and facts, I titled my handout “Ain’t Myth-Behaving.” Cute, huh? Not so cute is that misinformation not only persists and is rampant but has been destructively amplified by certain social and political forces in today’s world.
A book by Michael Bronski, Ann Pellegrini, and Michael Amico, You Can Tell Just By Looking (2013), calls out in its title one of the most common myths. The Kinsey Institute for Sex Research found that only 15% of males and 5% of females are stereotypically gay or lesbian.
Another of the LGBTQ myths is the “born that way” controversy, previously covered in my post “Born Gay—Or Not.” In brief, there have been no studies conclusively pointing one way or the other.
Several others from the book:
- Myth: There’s no such thing as a gay or trans child. Fact: Kids can become aware of their differing gender and/or sexual orientation very early in life.
- Myth: Most Homophobes Are Repressed Homosexuals. Fact: Although repression can be a factor, there are a variety of reasons that individuals either learn homophobia or lean toward it.
- Myth: LGBT Parents Are Bad For Children. Fact: LGBTQ parents are as good for children as any other parents.
Araya Baker, M.Phil.Ed., Psychology Today, posted ten common myths that persist. I’m adding my two cents after each—but click on the PT link for the rebuttals given by Baker.
- LGBTQ+ people are anti-religion. If they are, it’s religion that might be the problem.
- LGBTQ+ people are anti-family. We are not only generally born into them but we also often then create our own.
- LGBTQ+ people are anti-masculinity. More likely that those who favor masculinity are anti-us.
- Gay men infiltrate and manipulate the media to feminize men. The media has manipulators, but it doesn’t tend to be the gay men.
- Kids are too young to know they’re LGBTQ+. Are other kids too young to know they’re not?
- LGBTQ+ people “force” their queerness on others, especially kids. Pure projection from those who want to “force” us to not be LGBTQ+.
- Being LGBTQ+ is a “lifestyle” choice or byproduct of one’s environment. Do you see being non-LGBTQ+ from the same viewpoint?
- Being LGBTQ+ increases the risk of suicide. Oppression against any group of people may do this.
- LGBTQ+ people are mostly young. We’re all ages, of course. One family member considers my partner and me to be their “queer elders.”
- LGBTQ+ people are mostly white. Not even close. Another example of the tendency of some to “whitewash.”
With transgender athletes the subject of much controversy these days, the ACLU debunks four myths about this population. (Check out this source for the facts.)
- The participation of trans athletes hurts cis women.
- Trans athletes’ physiological characteristics provide an unfair advantage over cis athletes.
- Sex is binary, apparent at birth, and identifiable through singular biological characteristics.
- Trans students need separate teams.
Finally, the most vulnerable group, trans kids, need our support, which means we need to stay informed. Kelsey Pacha, LGBTQ Nation, presents “the most damaging myths about transgender kids.” All of these are false, of course. (Go to the link.)
- There are only two genders.
- Kids aren’t old enough to know their true gender.
- Medical transition is dangerous for transgender youth.
- Many kids experience transition regret.
- Trans kids confuse or upset other kids.
- If my child is trans, they will be bullied and have mental health issues.
- Transgender athletes have an unfair advantage over cisgender athletes.
- Allowing transgender youth to use the bathrooms consistent with their gender identity is unsafe.
- Religion condemns trans and nonbinary identities.
