Shopping for products and services can be tricky, especially if you’re looking for a merchant or service that is LGBTQ+ friendly. Thanks to new technologies, finding the businesses that are friendly and inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community has never been easier. The internet provides access to a wealth of information about merchants and services that welcome people of all sexual orientations. This guide will provide an overview of how technology is being used in the search for LGBTQ-friendly merchants and services, as well as some tips on how to find them. Read on to learn more!

What is LGBTQ?

LGBTQ is an acronym for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.” The term encompasses a wide range of sexual orientations and gender identities, making it an inclusive term for everyone who identifies as something other than heterosexual and/or cisgender.

The acronym first appeared in the 1990s, and has since been widely adopted by the LGBTQ community. While the initialism originally only included four letters (LGB), the “T” was added in the early 2000s to better represent the diverse group of people who identify as LGBTQ. In recent years, the “Q” has also been added to encompass those who identify as queer or questioning.

While there is no one right way to be LGBTQ, there are many resources available for those who are looking to learn more about their sexuality and/or gender identity. There are also numerous organizations and groups that support LGBTQ rights and provide safe spaces for members of the community.

What does LGBTQ stand for?

At its core, the acronym LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer. However, the acronym has come to encompass a much broader range of individuals and groups with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

Today, the acronym LGBTQ is used as an umbrella term to refer to anyone who identifies as something other than heterosexual and/or cisgender. This includes individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, polysexual, demisexual, omnisexual, and more.

So what does all this mean for businesses and service providers? Simply put: if you want to be welcoming and inclusive of LGBTQ individuals, it's important to be aware of the acronym and what it represents. There are many ways to show your support of the LGBTQ community - from flying the Pride flag at your business or event to offering LGBTQ-inclusive services - and every little bit helps create a more inclusive world for everyone.

The History of LGBTQ

The LGBTQ community has a long and storied history that is often not well understood by the general public. This guide will attempt to provide some insight into the origins of the community and how it has evolved over time.

Most people believe that the term “lesbian” refers to a woman who is attracted to other women, but this is actually a recent development. The word lesbian first appeared in English in the late 19th century, derived from the name of the Greek island of Lesbos. At that time, it was used as a medical term to describe women who exhibited what were considered to be masculine traits or behaviors.

The early 20th century saw the rise of various “inverts” or “deviants,” including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people. These groups were often marginalized and treated with suspicion or outright hostility by mainstream society. In response, many members of these communities formed their own organizations and clubs where they could socialize and support one another.

One of the most important moments in LGBTQ history occurred in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots in New York City. This was a series of spontaneous protests by members of the gay community against police harassment and discrimination. The riots marked a major turning point in the fight for LGBTQ rights and helped to spark a national movement for equality.

In recent years, there has been increasing acceptance of LGBTQ people throughout society. This has led to greater visibility for members

What are some common Myths about LGBTQ people?

There are many myths and misconceptions about LGBTQ people, which can lead to discrimination and exclusion. Here are some common myths about LGBTQ people:

1. Myth: All LGBTQ people are promiscuous.

Fact: This is simply not true. While some LGBTQ people may be open about their sexuality and have multiple partners, many others are in monogamous relationships. Promiscuity is not a defining characteristic of LGBTQ people.

2. Myth: All transgender people have surgery to transition.

Fact: Not all transgender people undergo surgery to transition. Some may choose to transition without surgery, or may not be able to afford it. Surgery is just one aspect of transitioning, and does not define someone as transgender.

3. Myth: Gay men are attracted to all men, regardless of their appearance.

Fact: Just like heterosexual men, gay men have different preferences when it comes to physical appearance. There is no one type of man that all gay men find attractive.

What are some facts about LGBTQ people?

There are an estimated 15 million LGBTQ people in the United States. This number includes people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.

Approximately 3.5% of American adults identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. 1.4% of Americans identify as transgender.

The average life expectancy for a trans woman is 35 years old. Trans women of color have an even shorter life expectancy, with black trans women averaging only 31 years old.

LGBTQ people are more likely to experience poverty than their non-LGBTQ counterparts. Approximately 21% of same-sex couples live in poverty, compared to only 9% of different-sex couples.

LGBTQ youth are at a higher risk for homelessness than their non-LGBTQ peers. It's estimated that 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ.

These are just a few facts about LGBTQ people. For more information on the unique challenges and experiences faced by the LGBTQ community, check out our new high-tech guide to LGBTQ friendly merchants and services.

Get on-board Today! https://app.lgbtq.one

About TheApp

Hello, I am Bill Thompson with LGBTQ.ONE, located here in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. We offer a new high tech PWA guide to safe travel and local merchant interactions specifically for the LGBTQ community, simply called “THEAPP”. Our app/guide for the LGBTQ community is FREE to use and gets over 490,000 visits per month with over 3 million hits. Merchant Participation is a little as $12.50/month with an
annual subscription.

Our 90 second animated video explains how we drive such strong traffic. You can check out how
our program works at THEAPP.