2SLGBTQIA+

2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual. The terms used to describe gender identities and sexual orientations are constantly changing. If you use this or another acronym in reference to yourself, or you know someone who does, it does not necessarily mean that you identify with each of the elements of that community.

At Valoris, we encourage individuals to use the vocabulary that best suits them in reference to themselves. We also make it our duty to make the Prescott-Russell region aware of the need to respect the gender identity and sexual orientation of every member of the community. Our services are inclusive and will remain so.

Sexual orientation describes the physical and emotional attraction of an individual to another of a given gender. For example, a heterosexual person will be physically and emotionally attracted to a person of the opposite sex. A homosexual person will be physically and emotionally attracted to a person of the same sex as that person.

Sexual orientation is distinct from gender identity, which refers to how a person feels about their gender and their body. A transgender person will identify with a gender other than the one assigned to him/her at birth.

2SLGBTQIA+ is only one of several acronyms used to identify the different sexual orientations and gender identities. A person’s sexual orientation or gender identity is not limited to terms such as heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual and two-spirit. To find out more about this topic, go to Kids Help Phone, a site filled with information that can help you understand the differences between the two terms.

An allied person is someone who supports the dignity of all persons, and takes steps to help and defend the groups that suffer social injustices. An allied person does not identify as a member of the group that he/she supports.