LGBT Culture

LGBT culture is a culture shared by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people. It is sometimes also referred to as Queer culture. The term gay culture, though not synonymous, is sometimes also used even though this may also apply specifically to a culture of homosexual men. LGBT culture varies widely by geography and the identity of the participants. Elements often identified as being common to cultures of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people include:

• The work of famous gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. This may include:
  • Present-day LGBT artists and political figures;
  • Historical figures who have been identified as LGBT. It has often been questioned whether it is appropriate to identify historical figures using modern terms for sexual identity (see History of sexuality). However, many LGBT people feel a kinship towards these people and their work, especially to the extent that it deals with same-sex attraction or gender identity. This is evidenced by websites such as VictoryFund.org which are dedicated to supporting homosexual politicians.
• An understanding of the history of LGBT political movements.
• An ironic appreciation of things linked by stereotype to LGBT people.
• Figures and identities that are present in the LGBT community; in European and American LGBT culture, this could include the gay village, drag kings and queens, Pride, and the rainbow flag.

Not all LGBT people identify by or affiliate with LGBT culture. Reasons can include geographic distance, unawareness of the subculture's existence, fear of social stigma, or personal preference to remain unidentified with sexuality or gender based subcultures or communities. The Queercore movement, as well as the group Gay shame, critiques what they see as the commercialization and self-imposed "ghettoization" of LGBT cultures.

In some cities, especially in North America, LGBTQ people live in gay villages neighbourhoods with a high proportion of gay residents. LGBTQ communities organize a number of events to celebrate their cultures, such as Pride parades, the Gay Games and Southern Decadence.