SPEECH: Sen. Simons backs 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, denounces anti-trans hate

Paula is a fantastic human being.

Is the goal to use every letter of the alphabet?

I'm gay and I support this comment.
We do not need to represent every single minority in the acronym, that's what the rainbow flag is for, that's literally the entire point of the flag because a rainbow includes every color. "LGBT" rolls off the tongue nicely and there are zero repercussions in tacking a + on the end of it. If I have to memorize a new, extended acronym every fucking few months just because Tumblr can't stand not being on their social high horse I am gonna have a fucking aneurysm.
- I'm bisexual and I get why people keep adding letters, inconvenient as it may be to some.
  It's easy to say "this is enough" when you already feel represented. You don't need to use a longer acronym than you are comfortable with, but likewise you should not expect others to shorten their acronym for your convenience.
  Some gender and sexual minorities are neither lesbian, gay, bisexual nor trans, yet they want to feel seen: they have been hidden, ignored or ostracized for too long. They don't want an umbrella like + or 'queer' to hide under. They are their own thing, so they want to have their own label to recognize themselves and to be recognized.
  Once gender and sexual minorities have been understood and accepted more broadly, people within them will organically become more accepting of umbrella terms. But today is not the day. Not yet. Today let's continue to welcome more people until we are all here.
- We do not need to, but if the cost of doing so is a few grumpy fellas getting aneurysms out there, we're in for a treat. Let's add more!
Nice bigot comment.
- Nice knee jerk response to valid criticism. It is objectively difficult to support a cause when a) you can't remember the current "correct" name, or b) you get non-inclusive shamed for not using the (current) right name, or c) you get called a bigot for pointing out either of these things by knee jerking shit heads like yourself.
- The equal rights are a bit more important than the name don't you think? Trying to find the most inclusive name possible that's apparently ever changing and impossible to remember doesn't seem super useful.

2SLGBTBBQ? never seen this one before, what is the 2s?

I was going to ask the same question but, you know, in a respectful way instead of an idiot's way.
Thanks for those who replied to this. It would have felt awkward asking after seeing someone asking the same question in bad faith.
- In that spirit, for anyone wondering and curious. The full acronym, explanation and details can be found here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-spirit
Two spirit, it’s a catch all term for First Nations cultural third genders
- I thought it was a version same-sex attraction or something, or is it sorta like the Anima and Animus?

I don't like the idea of expanding the acronym to intentionally place someone "first."

Everyone has an equal place at the table and this feels like a great way to start the kind of stupid infighting that I've found exhausting since I first heard a man claim that he didn't have an interest in a community that spent any time and energy fighting for anything but his needs. At a Pride parade in the late nineties ffs.

Additionally, it feels hollow in the same way that corporate pride feels. "You haven't been represented appropriately in this community up until now, but look! You're first!"

More allies are needed, not less. It's great to know there is one in the Senate. Haven't you been paying attention to what bigot Moe and his far right government are doing in Saskatchewan?
- Adding is absolutely not the issue here. I think I was pretty clear on that. There is room for everyone in our world.
  It's the intentional effort to put one group before all others, especially when that group has been vastly under-supported, historically.
like a great way to start the kind of stupid infighting
How much infighting regarding this have you been seeing? From where I stand, it has been pretty smooth sailing. The LGBTQIA+ community reaction I've seen varies between "meh, whatever" to "yeah that's kinda cool".
- I specifically referenced an incident but there were others. Did you finish reading that sentence?