Concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity

Abstract

Violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual/gender minority (LGBTQ+) persons may be encouraged or discouraged by ideologies about sexual orientation and gender identity. Current concepts of sexual orientation and gender identity may be grouped into three broad categories. One is based on empirical, psychological, and biological science, which have found that sexual orientation and gender identity are partially heritable, have no necessary connection to mental illness, and cannot be intentionally influenced by anything that happens after birth. Another category is modern progressive views, mostly grounded in constructivism and critical theory. These support accepting LGBTQ+ and other oppressed groups' authority about their own experiences and calling people what they want to be called. The third is conservative ideologies, which generally hold that LGBTQ+ persons are disordered and dangerous, especially to children, unless they take steps to either change their nature or play a role prescribed for it.