Why Does "Lesbian" Come First in LGBTQIA+?
The "L" (standing for lesbians) being placed first in LGBTQIA+ doesn't mean lesbians are "more important" than other groups. It's the result of historical evolution, social movement contexts, and linguistic habits, which can be summed up as follows:
1. Historical Evolution and Visibility in Early Movements
In early LGBTQ+ rights movements, the term "Gay" (referring to gay men) was often used as a general term for the entire community (though this wasn't accurate). The earliest abbreviations were usually "GLBT".
However, lesbians played a crucially organized and highly visible role in advocating for their own rights and advancing the community, especially during the Second Wave Feminist Movement (1960s–1980s).
Lesbian activists emphasized their unique experiences and needs, pointing out that using "Gay" as a blanket term erased women's presence and contributions in the community. They demanded equal recognition and representation.
2. Recognizing Women's Contributions and Correcting Gender Bias
Putting "L" first is widely seen as a way to acknowledge and respect lesbians' indispensable role in the history of LGBTQ+ equality movements. They often served as organizers, caregivers (especially during the AIDS crisis), theorists, and committed activists.
This also acts as a correction to the male-centered bias historically and linguistically prevalent. Placing "L" first symbolizes prioritizing women to balance this tendency.
3. Impact of the AIDS Crisis
During the AIDS crisis of the 1980s–1990s, gay men were devastated and became one of the hardest-hit groups.
Meanwhile, lesbians played a vital supportive role. They organized actively to provide medical care, emotional support, social services, and advocacy for those affected (primarily gay men), demonstrating strong community solidarity and action.
This difficult history further highlighted the lesbian community's strength and contributions, boosting their visibility and moral authority in the broader movement—and reinforcing why "L" comes first.
4. Linguistic Flow and Habit
When transitioning from "GLBT" to "LGBT", people found that the "L-G" pronunciation (/el-dʒi:/) was smoother in English than "G-L" (/dʒi:-el/).
Over time, "LGBT" became the most widely accepted standard, fixing the order. Subsequent letters (Q, I, A, +) have followed this base sequence.
In Summary:
The "L" leading in LGBTQIA+ fundamentally aims to explicitly recognize the enormous, unique, and often overlooked contributions of lesbians in LGBTQ+ equality history—and to correct male-centered perspectives in language and history. This is a conscious choice to reflect community solidarity and respect for women's leadership and efforts. It doesn't diminish other groups' importance but rather reflects historical facts and the community's internal structure. As the abbreviation expanded to LGBTQIA+, the "L-first" structure remained foundational.
