2SLGBTQ+ SERVICES

We help any 2SLGBTQ+ person who has suffered or is currently facing any type of abuse or violence, such as intimate partner or domestic violence, sexual or physical assault, bullying, teen dating violence, and more.

Our bilingual staff work with each client to offer care, emotional support, advocacy, assistance connecting to legal and medical services, helping with food and basic resources, and connecting to educational opportunities and community support to promote physical, psychological, and spiritual healing. We provide gender- and identity-affirming support and will connect you with other affirming resources.

History and Important Facts

What does LGBTQ mean?

They refer to sexual orientations and gender identities outside of society’s normative expectations. The words are: Lesbian, a woman who is attracted to women. Gay, a man who is attracted to men, or also a general term for this community. Bisexual, a person who is attracted to others regardless of their gender. Trans, or transgender, a person who does not identify with their sex assigned at birth. And queer (cuir in Spanish), another general term for the community, which some consider offensive, and others consider an open and inclusive word for their own identity.

Why do we talk about “pride?”

Even though this community has always existed, throughout history, everywhere, LGBTQ people have also faced stigmas and barriers to living their lives authentically. We proudly celebrate being who we are instead of accepting society’s shame and hostility.

Why the rainbow?

The rainbow flag is a symbol of the community. The original flag was designed by American activist Gilbert Baker in 1978, but his version has more colors. Also today there are some variations on the flag, and many identities have their own flags (there is a lesbian, bisexual, transgender flag, and more). To show their support, some people, businesses, and organizations display the flag, especially during the month of June.

In response to common myths: It is not possible to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

2SLGBTQ+ Terms

Lesbian

Women (femmes, masculine women, trans women,etc.) who are primarily attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other women.

Gay

Experiencing attraction solely (or primarily) to some members of the same gender. Can be used to refer to men who are attracted to other men and women who are attracted to women. An umbrella term used to refer to the queer community as a whole, or as an individual identity label for anyone who is not straight.

Bisexual

A person who experiences attraction to some people of their gender and another gender. Bisexual attraction does not have to be equally split, or indicate a level of interest that is the same across the genders an individual may be attracted to. Often used interchangeably with “pansexual”.

Queer

An umbrella term to describe individuals who don’t identify as straight and/or cisgender. has been used as a slur to refer to someone who isn’t straight and/or cisgender. Due to this, it is not used by all LGBTQ people, especially elders. The term “queer” can often be use interchangeably with LGBTQ (e.g., “queer people” instead of “LGBTQ people”).

Intersex

Term for a combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals that differs from the two expected patterns of medically assigned male or female anatomy. Formerly known as hermaphrodite, but these terms are now outdated and derogatory.

Asexual

Experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in sexual relationships/behavior. Asexuality exists on a continuum from people who experience no sexual attraction or have any desire for sex, to those who experience low levels, or sexual attraction only under specific conditions. Many of these different places on the continuum have their own identity labels (see demisexual). Sometimes abbreviated to “ace.”

Transgender

A gender description for someone who has transitioned (or is transitioning) from living as one gender to another. The transition does not need to be medical and is on a spectrum. An umbrella term for anyone whose sex assigned at birth and gender identity do not correspond in the expected way (e.g., someone who was assigned male at birth, but does not identify as a man).

Non-binary

The idea that there are only two genders is sometimes called a “gender binary". Therefore, “nonbinary” is one term people use to describe genders that don't fall into one of these two categories.

Two-spirit (2S)

Is an umbrella term traditionally within Native American and Indigenous communities to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of all genders.

Naming the Flags of the Pride

The original rainbow flag used eight colors to represent different spiritual and emotional aspects of the psyche. Hot pink, before it was removed, stood for s3x; red means life; orange means healing; yellow means sunlight; green means nature; turquoise means magic and art; indigo (later changed to royal blue) means serenity; and violet means spirit.

But of course, there are many more Pride flags than just the rainbow version created in the 1970s. Today, you’re likely to see a version designed by Daniel Quasar that adds a triangular chevron to one side, with colors honoring the trans community as well as people of color. That one is commonly known as the “Progress Pride Flag.”

How many different Pride flags are there?

There’s easily dozens of different Pride flags, each slightly different. Because the flags represent different queer communities, rather than official organizations, they’re dynamic and flexible, and new ones can pop up as older ones fall out of use.

“It’s great to honor the fight for civil rights by flying a flag; but even better to honor that fight by taking part and fighting for equality for all.”

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