Topic Tuesday // Your role in creating community for LGBTI people // 23 May

that is a really good question @BeHappy

That's really helpful @Sally_Morris, thanks you.

So I have a female body, and identify as female, this makes me cis female? Sorry, I feel stupid for asking...

When someone changes their gender it can be really hard for us to get our head around the changes in language - but it is really important to always refer to them by the name that they prefer to be called, and by the pronouns that they prefer to be used when speaking about them.

I find that it can be helpful to practice! Show down your speach to let your head catch up, and be really mindful about your language. And if you make a mistake, catch yourself and correct yourself - even if Jane isn't there with you - this will help you practice and get it right in the future.

Even a small thing like getting their name and pronoun right can go a REALLY long way to help someone feel loved, accepted, important and validated.

@BeHappy Yep that is right! Dont feel silly for asking! when you ask you learn! I am also a Cis Female because I have a female body and my gender is also female

Essentially Cis means 'the same' where as 'Trans' means to move. So Cis people have a gender that is the same as their body, and Trans people move their body to match their gender.

"That is really wonderful to hear! Not all people have this experience of finding their community when they go looking for it - there are many things that can get in the way - like living in a rural and regional area where there may be less visible LGBTI people and less spaces where LGBTI people feel safe to gather in public".

That's what I'm finding now, living in a regional town. I moved here from the inner west of Sydney, and I miss the diversity, and places like Newtown

I can imangine that moving from a place with a really visible vibrant active LGBTI community to a regional town where LGBTI people are relatively invisible would be really hard.

Though remember, LGBTI people are EVERYWHERE! So even though they may not be as visible, they will still be there. So finding community becomes a bit more difficult than going out to your local pub

@greenspace what have you tried so far to connect with other LGBTI people?

Got it!! Thanks so much @Sally_Morris

So since my friend came out, I feel like we've lost connection. It's not because I don't want to maintain a friendship, I have reached out but there seems to be some walls. Not sure why. I guess my question is how can you support someone going through a transition? Or even support someone who is coming out?

Welcome @greenspace

Thank you for sharing that, so your regional lived experience has less diversity than the city. That sounds tough. If you don't mind me asking are there things that you find particularly challenging now?

I found when I lived in a regional area, I made social media my friend. A quick search found local LGBTIQA social groups. As @Sally_Morris has said, sometimes it's just a local pub or cafe for socialising (as was my case).