Operation: Iris is back today! ๐๐๐ธ
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We talked about a lot in the last Operation: Iris post. So much so that I had to question what the next post should be about. I could talk in depth about terms like:
๐ง๐๐ผ-๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ -Holds the spirit of both male and female. Derived from Native Americans.
๐ฆ๐ธ๐ผ๐น๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐
๐๐ฎ๐น -attraction to non binary/trans folk.
And ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐
๐๐ฎ๐น -attraction to intelligence.
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But my knowledge and personal experience with individuals who identify with those are very limited and I would prefer speaking with them before talking in depth about those identities. (Shoot me a DM if you do and would like to chat!)
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So instead, I wanted to talk about the importance of all of these confusing terms. ๐
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A concern about this initiative from others has been about how โsillyโ some of the these terms seem and that the more visibility towards these lesser known terms, the more Non-LGBTQ+ folk will make fun of the community.
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Whether you choose to wear your โLetterโ like a badge or keep it to yourself or family/friends is entirely up to you. The purpose of this initiative is to provide awareness to those who may โfeel differentโ than everyone else and think there may be something wrong with them. By having a word to describe your feelings towards your sexual/gender identity and knowing there are others like you, it gives a sense of validity and can lead to resources in helping a person deal with what they might be going though. Being able to identify yourself is the first step in growing and becoming the best person you can be.
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And to address the individuals who fear these terms will cause people to hurt others and make a mockery of the LGBTQ+ community: the more effort that is made in bringing these lesser terms to light, the more knowledge and eventual acceptance will be made from these folks. Things arenโt going to change unless we do something about it. ๐๐๐ธ