You might already identify as part of the QTIPOC community, or heard the acronym before but aren’t sure exactly what it means. Or maybe you’ve never heard it at all!
QTIPOC stands for Queer, Transgender and/or Intersex People of Colour. Let’s break it down.
Queer
‘Queer’ is an umbrella term that can basically be used to describe anyone who isn’t straight and/or cisgender. Some common queer identities include gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse. It is also a political term that means a rejection of dominant norms that restrict gender and sexuality.
The cool thing about the word ‘queer’ is it indicates that a person’s sexual and gender identities defy social ideas about what’s considered ‘normal’, but it also opens doors to more specific language if needed. For example, you could identify as queer and as a lesbian. Queer is a broad and inclusive word to describe anti-normativity, and means being part of a wider community of people who are proud to identify this way.
Some people in the wider LGBTQIA+ community identify as queer, while some people do not. For example, some intersex and asexual people don’t identify as queer. Transgender folk often identify as being queer, but ‘transgender’ refers to gender identity and is separate from a person’s sexual orientation. This is why ‘transgender’ and ‘intersex’ have their own letters in QTIPOC.
Transgender
Transgender (or trans) is a collective term for people who do not identity wth the sex they were assigned at birth. This can refer to transwomen or transmen who have transitioned from one gender category to another. It can also refer to gender diverse or gender expansive folk who do not identify with either ‘man’ or ‘woman’ but instead exist outside the gender binary. This can include non-binary people, agender, genderqueer, and many more!
Learn more at the TransHub website or in this Minus-18 video.
Intersex
The term Intersex refers to people have diverse sex characteristics or development.
Sex is based on and formed through a complex combination of hormones, genitals, chromosomes, and other physical characteristics. Sex is often taught as two distinct groups, a woman with XX chromosomes and female physical sex characteristics such as breasts and a vagina. And men with XY chromosomes who have a penis and testicles. But this isn’t true. There is a lot of diversity when it comes to sex composition and expression.
Approximately 1.7% of the world’s population is considered to be intersex – that is about the same amount of people who are redheads!
Read more about the intersex experience and watch a video about 6 intersex people of colour you should know about.
What’s the POC in QTIPOC all about?
So now we’ve defined the first half of the acronym, let’s do the rest! Being a Person of Colour (POC) basically means being from a cultural background that isn’t white, like having an African, Latinx, Caribbean, Arab, Persian, Asian, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or multiracial cultural background. Your race is the specific identity of your cultural heritage, like being Kurdish or Jamaican, while POC refers to a broader community.
In colonial and multicultural Western societies, finding your POC community can be helpful, as you will understand things like being made to feel like an outsider at school. As white culture is still dominant in Australia, sadly it’s common to feel ashamed about our family, religion and/or culture if we’re not white. But remember that this is what makes you unique and special, and that it’s something to be really proud about!
Read more about what it means to be a Person of Colour here.
Let’s bring it back together
Now that we’ve defined the different parts of QTIPOC, let’s talk about the acronym as a whole! Being QTIPOC can come with its unique challenges, as it means you have two or more diverse identities.
For example, your family might not accept your queerness as they associate it with whiteness and sin, but at the same time you may feel alienated in queer spaces as they are predominantly white. Growing up, you might feel like there’s nobody at school who is like you or understands the unique challenges you face. You might feel like you’re not reflected in movies, TV shows, and books, because the POC are cis and hetero, and the queer people are always white. It can be really lonely and confusing to experience all this before you find your QTIPOC community.
As a queer person, it’s really validating to find safe spaces where you can freely express your identity. However, queer spaces can be predominantly white and sadly people can experience racism in the LGBTQIA+ community. Some dating apps, events, and venues can be alienating or even unsafe for QTIPOC. This is why finding other QTIPOC to connect with and that understand you is really important.
As a QTIPOC, you might also have a religion that influences how you see the world and how your family raises you. In families that are strict about religion, there can be high expectations to stick to traditional gender roles and sexual identities. Being queer and religious can feel difficult, as there are many holy books that say exclusionary things about LGBTQIA+ people. But remember that these books were written many years ago, and religion is actually meant to evolve.
At their core, religions are about love and goodness, and shouldn’t get in the way of being your authentic self. In fact, for many people queerness and faith go hand in hand — queer Iftars are being held by Muslim community organisers and there are queer-friendly Christian churches. Learn more about being a young queer and religious person here.
Queerness and gender diversity is nothing new!
A really cool and eye-opening thing to do as a QTIPOC is learning about queerness and gender diversity in your own culture. The gender binary (the idea that there are only the two genders of ‘women’ and ‘men’) stems from western societies, and has become the norm because of colonisation. But there are heaps of cultures all around the world that have long established roles for gender non-conforming and third gender people.
In Samoa, the fa’afafine and fa’afatama are fluid third and fourth gender groups that hold important roles in society and are well respected for their strength, hard work, and ability to discuss taboo topics.
The ‘hijra’ in India and ‘two-spirit’ in Native American societies are some other long-standing examples. Here is a video that interviews some hijra people in India.
Some First Nations people use the terms ‘brothaboy’ and ‘sistagirl’ to describe transgender folk. There are records of queer people and queer love existing from as early as 2380 BCE in Ancient Egypt, as well as in China, West Africa, and many other places!
Here is a mini documentary that follows the lives of some Sistagals in the Tiwi Islands
Reading up about the history of gender and sexuality in your culture can be a great way to connect with your identity as a QTIPOC. This only goes to show that the idea that queerness is a white thing or that gender diversity is a new concept totally doesn’t hold up! Western societies clearly have a lot to learn from other cultures in describing gender diverse and queer experiences.
How can I come out (or not) to my family?
Coming out can be complicated for QTIPOC. Some come out to loving families who fully accept their gender identity and/or sexual orientation, while some find it difficult to come out to their families, or feel like it’s unsafe so won’t come out to them. Remember that all these decisions are valid, and its up to you whether you decide to come out (or not)!
POC families can perceive things differently due to things like a history of trauma, outsider status, and class struggles. Another common experience is a sense of disconnection between first and second generation migrants. When you come out to your parents or guardians, they might say “it’s just a phase” or think you’ve been influenced by white folk at your school, when you know it’s an important part of your identity that’s not going to change or go away.
If you’re planning on coming out to your family, it can be a good idea to think about how you’re going to have the conversation and have some options in case things don’t go as planned. Learn more about coming out here.
Mental health and self-care
Dealing with family tensions, racism within the LGBTQIA+ community, and other challenges that come with being QTIPOC can really take a toll on your mental health. Remember that support is available, and seeing a psychologist or school counsellor can be super helpful to talk through your feelings and experiences. Read more about finding the right psychologist for you here. It’s also really important to practise self-care to lift your spirits and thrive as a QTIPOC.
Finding your QTIPOC community
Another vital step to looking after your mental wellbeing is finding a strong sense of community. Connecting with people that have shared experiences and can really understand you is an amazing thing, as they can support you in ways that your white and straight friends simply can’t… even if they’re the best allies ever. Juggling multiple identities isn’t easy, and everyone in the QTIPOC community can relate to that. Finding a ‘chosen family’ can make you feel really good about who you are, especially if your biological family is less accepting.
“By seeing people like me in queer communities of colour, I was able to truly see myself and started feeling less alone. Community’s let us see each other and see ourselves, so that we can know we are never alone.” Mama Alto (quoted in OMG I’m QTIPOC)
There are many vibrant QTIPOC events, community hubs, and online spaces out there for young QTIPOC wanting to connect with others. (in)visible and the QTIPOC space at Minus18 parties are some good examples. There are also social media groups, forums, and websites for QTIPOC folk.Check out the awesome resource OMG I’m QTIPOC to learn more about what it means to be QTIPOC!
