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Types of Shaming We Need To Stop
Unfortunately, the LGBT community is not devoid of homophobia, sexism, misogyny, transphobia, and intolerance. If we want to do better, the following types of shaming need to stop.
1. HIV or STI shaming
Joking that a person has an STD or is HIV-positive is not okay. Attributing a person’s sudden weight loss to HIV as a joke or out of skepticism is not okay. HIV is still an epidemic within the LGBT community, and we should be working to end the stigma associated with STIs, not perpetuating it.
2. Fat shaming
It's 2017, and there is still nothing funny, clever, or unique about disparaging others because of their size, shape, or weight. With summer just around the corner, it seems that “bikini body” jokes are bound to come back in style. Don't engage in this, and in case you had any doubt, let us remind you: all bodies are beautiful, worthy, and valid.
3. Femme shaming
Often, members of the LGBT community takes cues from heteronormative ideas and behavior. This includes toxic concepts about masculinity, which can easily lead to femme shaming. You may think it's funny to disparage someone for looking, sounding, or acting femme, but really, what's wrong with being femme? Jokes like this are often a way of asserting authority or power, which is pretty horrifying when you consider femmes experience higher rates of violence.
4. Slut shaming
No one likes a prude. Think before you object to sex positivity or offer an unwanted opinion about other people's sex lives. Shaming those who are sexually active is not only problematic, it's often a projection of shame we've recieved around sex. Remember: it isn’t our job to yuck someone’s yum.
5. Bottom shaming
In the land of sexual positions, bottoms are too often the butt of the joke (no pun intended). People have a tendency to characterize submissive and inferior to tops, who are often characterized as more dominant. We shouldn't assume a person is submissive because of their preferred sexual position, and we definitely shouldn't fail to see the underlying sexism in bottom shaming.
6. Transphobia
No one is free until transgender women are free. Black trans women are said to have an average life expectancy of 35 years of age. Transgender people are murdered at a much higher rate than other members of the LGBTQ community. When we shame trans people, use transgender as an insult, or question the validity and existense of transgender identities, we devalue them and create a community where they are disposable.
7. Homophobic or Transphobic Slurs
Do not disparage or shame others with homophobic or transphobic slurs. There are plenty of LGBTQ people who have taken back ownership of words that were historically used as slurs, who use them to refer to themselves or amongst friends. However, we should never resort to slurs as a way of tearing others down.
8. Racism
The preference vs. discrimination debate comes up a lot when we talk about dating in the LGBT community. In truth, "preferring" not to date Asian, Latinx, or Black people is a form of racism. Having a “preference” based on race mean that you are cognitively choosing to not engage with people because of their race. That can be a form of shaming, and is discrimination, plain and simple. Whether that is something comfortable living with or are working through is up to you.
9. Addiction shaming
Our community deals with a high rate of addiction. Addiction is a real struggle for a lot of people, and shaming others for their battles with addiction is harmful, cruel, and incredibly unhelpful. If someone you know is dealing with addiction, work on ways you can support them. There is undoubtedly more we all could be doing to improve awareness about addiction and access to addiction treatment.
10. Identity Shaming
Bisexual people are not just looking for the best of both worlds. Gay people are not trying to convert you. Queer people are not confused, or coming out because it's trendy. You can't turn a lesbian straight. There is truly no need to shame a person for the identity by repeating any of these misconceptions.
11. Age Shaming
Ageism is something we younger members of the LGBT community really need to work on. Remember that our elders lived through the worst of the HIV epidemic, fought for our rights and liberties, and forged the way for us to have many of the opportunities. Make room for LGBT seniors, and instead of shaming a person for their age when you disagree their point of view, do your best to understand where they are coming from, agree to disagree, or challenge them politely and with respect.
