Ethnicity

Ethnicity refers to a person's shared cultural identity, drawn from ancestry, language, history, nationality, religion, and traditions. It is distinct from race, which is more often tied to physical characteristics, though the two concepts overlap in everyday use. For LGBTQ+ people, ethnicity and queer identity intersect in real ways, shaping how someone experiences family, faith, community, and belonging. A person may navigate acceptance differently within their ethnic community than in mainstream queer spaces, and vice versa. Organizations such as GLAAD, the National LGBTQ Task Force, and the Center for Black Equity work to make sure LGBTQ+ resources and representation reflect the full range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds within the community.