The terms we use to label ourselves and others both help and limit us.

The National LGBT Health Alliance uses “LGBT” as a recognisable acronym to collectively refer to a group of identities that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans/transgender people and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse people, regardless of their term of self-identification.

Identity labels are useful to communicate who we are talking about, especially to those who have little understanding of issues around sexual orientation, sex and gender identity. At the same time, no one term or acronym will never truly reflect the wide range of ways of being that differ from commonly accepted heterosexual and gender norms. Definitions and terminology related to sexual orientation, sex and gender identity are contested and draw strong views from community members and professionals working in the field.  The meanings of terms tend to change over time and even at a given time, they are often used or interpreted differently depending on the individual or context.

So – no matter how many letters it contains - no acronym will ever be truly reflective of the diverse identities and communities that comprise the Alliance and that we work with and for.

This was a challenge we faced when naming the Alliance and is a tension we acknowledge and try to take into account in our work.

In its Sex and Gender Diversity Project, the Australian Human Rights Commission used the phrase “sex and gender diversity” as a celebration of and recognition of variations in sex and gender. This found resonance with large parts of the community, and we also use this where we can, expanding it to “sexuality, sex and gender diversity”, in order to be as inclusive as possible.

We aim to work across identity labels and to consider sexuality, sex and gender diversity in all their facets and communities. We call on intersex and queer people, queens, sistergirls, fa’afafine, femmes, transsexuals, takatāpui, bois, bears and toms, all those with an interest in sexual orientation, sex and gender identity and how these relate to health and wellbeing to be part of the National LGBT Health Alliance. As an Alliance we are better able to achieve our shared objective of improved wellbeing for all sexuality, sex and gender diverse people.

LGB & T

A further challenge lies in working across issues relating to sexual orientation, sex and gender identity. A person's sex or gender identity says nothing about their sexual orientation, and there are very real differences in the issues faced by 'LGB' & 'T' people. At the same time there is a long history of members of these different communities working together to pursue their respective interests and their common aims. We seek to differentiate where appropriate, and to ensure that when we speak of "LGBT" we really are being inclusive of trans people and their issues.

I for Intersex

Some organisations use the acronym LGBTI or GLBTI. I for Intersex.

Intersex is used by many as an umbrella term for people born with any of a number of physical variations that means they do not clearly fit expectations of either male or female physical sex. While there are some significant overlaps between trans and intersex issues there are also some very clear differences between sex diversity and gender diversity.

When we were establishing the Alliance, intersex people we consulted said they did not identify as part of the LGBT community and did not wish to be represented by the Alliance, but were happy to stand side by side in coalition on shared issues. We acknowledge, however, that there is great diversity of perspectives and circumstances among intersex people - some strongly identify with the LGBT sector and use it as a framework for solidarity and working towards common goals, while others strongly differentiate themselves from it.

We therefore tread a middle path: We are trying to ensure that Alliance structures and profile allow space for the inclusion of intersex issues should intersex people wish to participate, and we seek opportunities to engage with intersex people and be supportive of their work. In consultation with an intersex organisation, we decided to use the term “sex and gender diversity” in our constitution, to ensure that space was there for intersex issues. We would very much welcome intersex groups making use of it, joining the Alliance and working collaboratively with other Alliance members, or working alongside the Alliance, in partnership.

However, until such time as intersex people actively engage with us, we cannot and will not present ourselves as representing intersex issues. It is not our decision to include intersex but intersex people's decision as to where they identify and which organisational frameworks they see as appropriate to represent their interests and pursue their objectives.

What we do do, is flag that there are specific issues faced by intersex people where it seems appropriate, refer to work by intersex organisations and recommend direct consultation.

We try to be proactively inclusive of intersex issues as appropriate, without implicitly laying claims to representation. Not always an easy balancing act. Our approach is open to review and may change in time. Until we really are an organisation that includes intersex members and represents intersex issues, we will not have an “I” in our name.