How does the 'T' fit within 'LBGT'?

The following was written by a knowledgeable transgender friend and has been lightly edited by myself. - Ludmila

Some people – both transgendered and non-trans LGB people – argue against the inclusion of T issues alongside LGB issues because they consider sexual orientation and gender identity to be incomparable. However, CUSU's group is an "LBGT" group, including advocacy of transgender issues within its remit. There are a number of reasons for including transpeople within LGB safe spaces and advocacy.

Those transitioning from one gender to another in most cases will be moving into or away from the LGB community; as most people who transition retain their sexual orientation (although not always – it is not uncommon for transsexual people to identify as heterosexual or homosexual both before and after transition), a transsexual person is likely to start identifying as gay or lesbian as a result of their transition, or is likely to have previous links with the LGB community which they do not wish to entirely break with as a result of subsequently identifying as heterosexual.

Similarly, the gender identity of genderqueer and androgynous people is likely to place them in a position in which heterosexuality is nonsensical, due to their being no "opposite" gender to their identities. It is estimated that somewhere between one- and two-thirds of transgendered people identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual.

LGB communities have long held ties with those with transgender identities. Although gender identity and sexual orientation are not comparable, many LGB people consider themselves non-gender-normative, ranging from "butch" lesbians and "femme" gay men, through to drag kings and queens who are often non-heterosexual, through to those who more radically question societal assumptions around gender.

Similarly, much of the prejudice facing both LGB and transgendered people results from assumptions around what is considered to be gender-appropriate behaviour – that there are certain ways one is "supposed" to act as a member of a particular gender, including being attracted to those of the "opposite" sex. Much of the discrimination against transgendered people is also likely to be familiar to LGB people (particularly older persons) and come from similar quarters – many are disowned by their family, and are subject to verbal, sexual and physical assault, with the murder rate for transpeople being seventeen times higher than the national average.

The transgender community is relatively small compared to the LGB community; though there are no statistics on the number of cross-dressers, androgynes and genderqueer people, it is estimated that somewhere between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 125,000 people are transsexual. In addition, the majority of these have no desire to disclose their transgender status in most situations – openly transgendered people almost invariably suffer discrimination and harassment, and are at a high risk of experiencing violence. Because of this, ensuring a safe environment for transpeople requires advocacy from the non-"T" elements of LGBT.