Awareness & Acceptance
The rainbow flag has become a symbol of the growing movement to embrace and celebrate sexual diversity, to raise awareness of sexual diversity as a human right, and to contribute to efforts that aim to put an end to persistent discrimination.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to sexuality, which includes the right to be free from discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Social and cultural stereotypes about sexual orientation and gender, and prejudice and fear towards the LGBTQ+ community are often at the core of discrimination and harassment. Whether you identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community or not, you can take part in global movements to put an end to discrimination or make changes at your own level.
Heterosexual or “straight” allies also support equal rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ social movements, and challenge homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia. LGBTQ+ allies are critical to the success of the movement to accept and embrace sexual diversity.
Terms are changing all the time. But the important thing to remember is to be respectful and to use terms that people prefer. Use terminology only as it is meant to be used. Using expressions like “that is so gay” only serves to stereotype what it means to be gay and is a form of discrimination.
