Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to send us an email.
FAQ - Sexuality Issues
What type of services do you provide for LGBTQ people?
Currently, we offer walk-in advising to provide support, references, and resources for whatever your concern may be, as well as a growing library of books and articles relating to gender and sexuality. In addition, be sure to check out the services and programs page of our website.
Who on campus can I talk to about my sexuality?
Students have several resources on campus. The GSC is a space that is welcoming of all students, and the Center staff is available to talk to anyone with a concern. Students can also call the Women's Resource Center at (512) 232-4236 or the UT Counseling and Mental Health Center at (512) 471-3515. Telephone counseling is available by calling (512) 471-CALL (2255).
What is it like to be LGBTQ?
There's no right way or wrong way to be gay or lesbian. Because of society's stereotypes you might think you have to be a certain way if you identify LGBTQ. But lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people come in all shapes and sizes, from all occupations, and with all levels of education.
Because of homophobia and prejudice, some people don't accept lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender people. We sometimes suffer from discrimination and violence. That's why there are many gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender organizations that work for our civil rights.
What is bisexuality?
Bisexuality is the potential to feel sexually attracted to and to engage in sensual or sexual relationships with people who are either male or female. A bisexual person may not be equally attracted to both sexes, and degrees of attraction may vary over time. Self-perception is the key to a bisexual identity. Many people engage in sexual activity with people of both sexes, yet do not identify as bisexual. There is no behavioral "test" to determine whether or not one is bisexual.
The bisexual identity
Some believe that a person is born heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual (perhaps due to prenatal hormonal influences) and that their identity is inherent and unchangeable. Others believe that sexual orientation is due to socialization (for example, either imitating or rejecting parental models), or conscious choice (for example, choosing lesbianism as part of a political feminist identity). Others believe that these factors interact. Because biological, social, and cultural factors are different for each person, everyone's sexuality is highly individual, whether they are bisexual, gay, lesbian, heterosexual, or asexual. The "value" placed on a sexual identity should not depend on its origin.
Many people assume that bisexuality is just a phase people go through. In fact, any sexual orientation can be a phase. Humans are diverse, and individual sexual feelings and behaviors may change over time. The creation and consolidation of a sexual identity is an ongoing process. Since we are generally socialized as heterosexuals, bisexuality is a stage that many people may experience as part of the process of acknowledging their homosexuality. Many others come to identify as bisexual after a considerable period of identification as gay men or lesbians. An orientation that may not be permanent is still valid for the period of time it is experienced. Bisexuality, like homosexuality and heterosexuality, may be either a transitional step in the process of sexual discovery, or a long-term identity.
Bisexual relationships
Bisexuals, like all people, have a wide variety of relationship styles. Contrary to common myth, a bisexual person does not need to be sexually involved with both a man and a woman. As is the case for heterosexuals and homosexuals, attraction does not involve acting on every desire. Like heterosexuals and homosexuals, many bisexuals choose to be sexually active with one partner only, and have long term, monogamous relationships. Some bisexuals may have open relationships, just as some heterosexuals and homosexuals are sexually active with more than one partner.
How common is bisexuality?
It is not easy to say how common bisexuality is, since little research has been done on this subject. Most studies on sexuality have focused on heterosexuality or homosexuality. Studies conducted by Kinsey in the 1940s and 1950s hypothesized that as many as 15-25% of women and 33-46% of men may be bisexual based on their activities or attractions.
Bisexuals are in many ways a hidden population. In our culture, it is generally assumed that a person is either heterosexual (most frequently) or homosexual (based on appearance or behavioral clues). Because bisexuality does not fit into these standard categories, it tends to be denied or ignored. When it is recognized, bisexuality is often viewed as being "part heterosexual and part homosexual", rather than being a unique identity. Bisexuality threatens the accepted way of looking at the world by calling into question the validity of rigid sexual categorization, and encourages acknowledgment of the existence of a diverse range of sexuality. Since there is not a stereotypical bisexual appearance or way of acting, bisexuals are usually assumed to be either heterosexual or homosexual. In order to increase awareness, bisexuals have begun to create their own visible communities.
Where can I turn if I have been harassed because of my sexual orientation?
First, realize that whatever happened to you was wrong and is not your fault. Do not take the blame for someone else's intolerance. Secondly, take care of yourself. Find support from friends, family, or individuals on campus that are here to provide supports such as our office or the CMHC (471-3315). Thirdly, if you are comfortable doing this, speak up. The University of Texas has a non-discrimination clause, and this includes sexual orientation. To report incidents involving hate, intolerance, harassment, and/or incivility, contact LaToya Hill, Ph.D, Assistant Dean of Students and Student Emergency Services, Office of the Dean of Students, 4.104 Student Services Building (512-471-5017
How can I be a better ally?
What an Ally Does
- Communicates their willingness to actively support the efforts to promote social justice
- Takes initiative and responsibility for their education about various forms of social injustice
- Confronts oppressive language, behaviors, and institutional practices
What an Ally Doesn't Do
- Set the agenda for others to follow in their pursuit of social justice
Ways to get involved and make a difference in the lives of women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people
- Volunteer at the GSC
- Volunteer at the Women's Resource Center
- Volunteer at SafePlace
- Attend a diversity/sensitivity workshop and identify yourself as an ally
- Check out a video or book at the GSC and educate yourself on women and LGBTQ issues
- Attend LGBTQ Pride and Coming Out Week activities
- Attend Women's History Month activities
- Join Safe Space and get involved
- Volunteer to make a difference in the life of LGBTQ youth
- Speak out against gender stereotyping and the enforcement of rigid gender roles
- Work to end racism
- Donate books and videos to the GSC or the Women's Resource Center
- Mentor a new student
- Work to end sexism
- Start a study group for English or Math at the GSC
- Recommend the GSC and the Women's Resource Center as a resource center to your friends or students
- Wear a rainbow ribbon
- Interrupt stereotypes and educate people about transgender, intersex, and bisexual issues
What is homophobia and heterosexism?
Homophobia is the fear and hatred of people who love and who are sexually attracted to those of the same sex, which includes prejudice and acts of discrimination resulting from that fear and hatred.
Heterosexism is the system of oppression of persons who are lesbian, gay or bisexual based on homophobia. It is the failure to recognize the complete humanness of these people. Mistreatment is manifested in institutional as well as individual acts of violence. Heterosexism is the preoccupation with heterosexuality. Our institutions, laws, and policies support heterosexuals and serve to discount homosexuals.
How homophobia hurts us all
Homophobia can inhibit the ability of heterosexuals to form close, intimate relationships with members of their own sex for fear of being perceived as gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Homophobia restricts communication with a significant percentage of the population.
Homophobia locks people into rigid gender-based roles that inhibit creativity and self-expression.
Homophobia is often used to stigmatize heterosexuals who visibly support gay men, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people or those who do not conform to rigid sex roles.
Homophobic conditioning compromises the integrity of heterosexuals by pressuring them to treat others badly, actions that are contrary to their basic humanity.
Homophobia prevents heterosexuals from accepting the benefits and contributions offered by the gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual communities: theoretical insights, social visions and options, and contributions to the arts and culture, religion, family life, and other sectors of society.
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