Below you will find the most common questions we're asked about ODU Out, as well as general knowledge on topics we cover. Knowing is half the battle.
No one can remove you from the List-serv but you, since none of us have administrative access. You must go to the List-serv page and scroll down to “To unsubscribe from Glbsa-l, get a password reminder, or change your subscription options enter your subscription email address.” Enter your email address and follow through the steps to remove yourself from the List-serv.
GLBTQSA stands for “gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and straight ally”. It’s a common acronym for all topics related to sexualities other than “straight” as well as alternate gender identities/expressions. Other literature or websites might use another form of the acronym for the same topic, such as GLBT, GLBTQ, GLB, GLBTSA and GLBTQIPSA (“I” referring to intersex and “P” referring to pansexual).
A common misconception, even today, is that all lesbians are masculine and all gay men are feminine. However, there are quite a lot of feminine lesbians (known in some circles as femmes or lipstick lesbians) and masculine gay men (sometimes referred to as “straight-acting” gay men). And all people express traditionally masculine and feminine traits at some point or another, regardless of the overall impression.
It is a common misconception that bisexuals form multiple relationships at the same time. However, bisexuals are no more likely than exclusively homosexual or heterosexual people to be polyamorous in nature or to cheat in monogamous relationships. Bisexuality merely refers to the capability to form intimate relationships with people of either of society’s established sexes.
Often bisexuals face discrimination both from mainstream society and from within the GLBTQ community itself. People often assume that bisexuals are incapable of monogamous relationships, or that they are more likely to be unfaithful to a long-term partner. There are some lesbians and gay men who refuse to date known bisexuals.
While the terms are frequently used interchangeably, the key difference is that pansexuality specifically includes the capability of forming intimate relationships with people outside the established male/female gender binary, including people under the trans umbrella of identities as well as people who may be intersexed.
Trans is an umbrella term referring to a large number of gender-based identities, basically anyone who identifies or expresses their gender in a way that contrasts the male/female gender binary established by Western culture. Some of the most common identities under this umbrella are transsexuals (who desire to have their physical bodies and societal roles reflect a gender opposite the one assigned at birth), transgender people (who do not wish to undergo a physical transition rather than not being able to because of financial, health or aesthetic reasons), drag queens and kings, genderqueer individuals and others.
Trans people can be of any sexual orientation that non-trans people can have. In each case, the sexuality of an individual is determined by their gender identity. For example, a male-to-female transsexual who is exclusively attracted to women would be a lesbian, and a female-to-male transsexual who is exclusively attracted to men would be gay.
Genderqueer is a term that is often defined by individuals. However, as a broad term it is usually used to refer to people who do not identify as male or female, who identify with a combination of male and female characteristics or who play with the concept of gender.
The general rule of thumb is to go by the gender presentation the person is displaying. If the person is wearing women’s clothing, “she” is usually appropriate, and if the person is wearing men’s clothing, “he” is usually appropriate. If in doubt, it is better to ask than to repeatedly use the wrong pronouns. If someone tells you what pronouns to use, or what name is preferred, it is generally considered rude to use alternates.
Some people, often those who identify as genderqueer although there are others, prefer to use pronouns that have been established with no correlation to gender, known as “gender-neutral” pronouns. These pronouns are “zie” (like see/sea) in place of he or she and “hir” (like here/hear) in place of his/him or her. You will be told if someone prefers to be referred to by these pronouns.
When a person is discriminated against for being gay, lesbian or bisexual, the assumption about their sexual orientation is usually made because of gender expression rather than outright admission of sexual activities. A man is assumed to be gay if he displays more feminine characteristics than Western culture finds acceptable because sleeping with men is an established “feminine” behavior, and a woman is often assumed to be a lesbian if she displays more masculine characteristics because sleeping with women is an established “masculine” behavior. Thus GLBT people most often face discrimination based on gendered behavior rather than outright sexuality.
Intersex is a term used to refer to people who were born with “undistinguished” genitalia, either underdeveloped or somewhere between male and female. The common practice has been to decide the intersexed infant’s proper sex at birth and use surgery to correct it, sometimes without the parents’ knowledge or consent, and sometimes clashing with natural hormones at puberty and/or personal identity as the child aged.
This is a term that has been used in a derogatory sense many times in the past. However, it has been reclaimed by much of the GLBTQSA community, often as a way of including everyone and simplifying the “alphabet soup” of identities. However, this term is used almost exclusively with other GLBTQ people and their allies. When talking to people with limited to no knowledge of GLBTQ issues, the acronym is used.
Some people are aware of their sexual orientation very early on in life, but there are those who discover and question it over time. No one can decide for them whether they are gay, straight, bisexual, etc. Questioning your orientation is not a sign of weakness in any way.
A straight ally is a person who is not gay, lesbian, transgendered, or questioning, or who currently identifies as straight for any reason, who openly or secretly supports GLBTQSA rights and freedoms. Straight allies are always welcome to attend any ODU Out meetings or events, as well as become members.
The most common terms that are no longer considered acceptable for the GLBTQSA community are “transvestite” and “hermaphrodite”. “Crossdresser” has replaced “transvestite” as the proper term for someone who dons the clothing of the opposite sex/gender, and “intersex” has replaced “hermaphrodite” as the proper term for someone who was born with undistinguished genitalia. Many other terms are considered appropriate or offensive based on context, attitude and the audience that hears the term.
No, we do not. There is also no cost to attend ODU Out meetings or events, unless otherwise specified. We obtain the monetary equivalent of dues from T-shirt and hoodie sales, but the purchase of a T-shirt or hoodie is not a requirement for membership in the organization nor to attend its events and meetings.
ODU Out, internally, does not track an official membership roster with dues, ID cards, or the like. However, to become an official voting member of the organization and to add ODU Out to your Old Dominion University co-curricular transcript, you can visit the ODU Student Affairs website. Create an account with your ODU student credentials, then click “Student Organization Involvement”, followed by “Join an Organization”. Search for ODU Out on the list and add it. Check this list at the start of every year. ODU Student Housing counts entries in your co-curricular transcript as student involvement for improving your housing score, as well.
You do not have to officially register as a member of the organization to attend any ODU Out meetings or events.
Absolutely not! We welcome members of any orientation or gender expression. See also: What is a straight ally?
Our office is located on the second floor of Webb Center, near the Mace and Crown Office. Signs on the walls near stairwells and elevators will direct you.
Yes, we do. Our resource library is located in our office on the second floor of Webb Center. Composed mostly of books, magazines, and educational videos, the resource library is chock full of information about GLBTQSA history, pop culture, and social issues. Members can check out media from the office whenever it is open.
Not quite. While we are certainly in favor of GLBTQ friendly politics, ODU Out is respectful of all political viewpoints and does not support or endorse any candidate or party over another. Just as the Log Cabin Republican organization exists, there are GLBTQ people who support parties other than the Democratic Party, and we want our organization to reflect that. Our voter registration drives are nonpartisan and any political information and/or speakers given are representative of at least both Democratic and Republican politics, if not Independent parties as well.
Absolutely not! While we disagree with “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, ODU Out supports and respects those who choose to serve in the armed forces and utilize the ROTC program. We also support the work done by the Red Cross, and encourage donations from everyone who is able. We would only like to see these wonderful programs opened so that everyone able are able to contribute regardless of sexual orientation.
Every week, a new GLBTQSA term and definition is posted on ODU Out’s office door for all to read. We hope the terms will enlighten passerby to lesser-known knowledge about the community. We also announce the Term of the Week at general meetings and post them to the Facebook group.