Cambridge University Students’ Union Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender Campaign
LGBT+ Links and Resources
Polyamory:
Polyamory, or ethical non-monogamy, is the practice of having multiple loving relationships with the full knowledge and support of everyone involved. Lots of open and honest communication is the key to helping it work. There are estimated to be several thousand people practising polyamory in the UK, and the numbers are increasing.
A widely referenced introduction to polyamory: http://www.xeromag.com/fvpoly.html
Loads more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyamory#External_links
The Cambridge Poly group:
- on Yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/poly_cambridge/
- on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7977599957
London Poly group: http://www.meetup.com/polylondon/
Intersexuality:
'Sex' refers to biological characteristics distinguishing male from female, and intersexed individuals are those with intermediate or atypical combinations of these. Like anyone, intersex people may identify as any gender.
UK Intersex Association: http://www.ukia.co.uk/
The Intersex Society Of North America: http://www.isna.org/
Organisation Intersex International, UK page: http://www.intersexualite.org/OII-English.html
Asexuality:
Asexual people are people who do not experience any sexual attraction: unlike celibacy, it is a sexual orientation, not a choice. Some asexual people will experience romantic attraction, wish to form close romantic relationships, and may identify as straight, gay, bi, queer or anything else.
A great introduction: http://www.asexuality.org/home/general.html
A series of message boards: http://www.apositive.org/portal.php
Copyright L Demtchenko, 2010. If reproducing elsewhere, please include credit and a link back.
Sexual Health
An honest and frank discussion of how to stay safe.
Coming Out
Coming out is the process of learning about your own sexuality and telling others about it. For a lot of people, this is a long progression of coming to terms with yourself and then deciding who to tell and how to do it best.
Homophobia
Homophobia is the extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people. Don't take it, deal with it!
Religious Issues
Being gay and religious might be difficult, but there are others in the same situation, so don't worry!
Women
In the LBGT community, women seem to be a minority. Whether this is due to personal interest or other factors is debatable. One thing is certain, however: women enjoy the company of other women!
LGBT+ Resources
There are a wide variety of other sexualities and gender identities which are not mutually exclusive to LGBT. See here for definitions of and links relating to these, including polyamory, intersexuality and asexuality.