FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Does LGBTQ+ Mean?

LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning, with the plus sign (+) representing a range of additional sexual orientations and gender identities beyond these core terms. Each letter reflects a specific part of the diverse spectrum of identities within the community:

• L stands for Lesbian, referring to women who are attracted to other women.
• G stands for Gay, a term used to describe individuals, typically men, who are attracted to the same gender.
• B stands for Bisexual, referring to individuals who are attracted to more than one gender.
• T stands for Transgender, referring to people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.
• Q stands for Queer, a broad term used to describe a range of sexual orientations and gender identities, or Questioning, for those who are exploring their identity.

The “+” acknowledges the wide variety of identities beyond these terms, including but not limited to intersex, asexual, pansexual, and non-binary. The acronym reflects the inclusivity and diversity of the community, recognizing that gender and sexual orientation are complex and that many people’s experiences exist outside of traditional labels.

Why does IAM use the word "queer" to refer to the LGBTQ+ community in the Badge Of Pride exhibit? Isn’t that a hurtful term?

The use of the word "queer" has undergone a profound evolution within the LGBTQ+ community. Originally employed as a derogatory term, it has been reclaimed and repurposed as a term of empowerment, solidarity, and inclusivity. Today, "queer" serves as an umbrella term encompassing diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions, reflecting the fluidity and complexity of human experiences within the LGBTQ+ community.

Some LGBTQ+ people reject the word "queer" because of its history as a painful slur. Others embrace it as an umbrella term for their community, sometimes in part because it is a shorter alternative to long acronyms. In this exhibit, we use "queer" when the people whose story we are sharing called themselves queer.

I’ve seen terms like “gender,” “gender identity,” and “gender expression.” What does all of that mean, and what’s the difference between them?

Gender

Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, and characteristics that society considers appropriate for men, women, and other gender identities. It’s a social and cultural construct that influences how we perceive and categorize people. While often associated with “male” or “female,” gender is a broad spectrum that includes identities beyond the binary, such as nonbinary, genderqueer, and agender.

Gender Identity

Gender identity is a person’s deeply felt sense of their own gender, which may or may not align with the sex assigned to them at birth. It’s how someone internally understands and identifies themselves—whether as a man, woman, both, neither, or something else entirely. For example, a person assigned female at birth might identify as male, nonbinary, or a gender beyond traditional categories.

Gender Expression

Gender expression is how a person presents their gender outwardly through behaviors, clothing, hairstyles, voice, and other forms of self-presentation. This expression can align with societal expectations of masculinity and femininity or challenge those norms entirely. For instance, someone might identify as male but express themselves with traditionally feminine clothing or makeup.

How They Interact

• Gender identity is internal (how you feel).
• Gender expression is external (how you show it).
• Gender is the larger social framework we use to categorize and understand these concepts.

It’s important to remember that gender identity and expression are unique to each individual and may not fit neatly into societal norms. Respecting how someone identifies and expresses themselves is crucial in creating an inclusive environment.

How are you defining “Pride?”

Pride is the embodiment of confidence and self-respect expressed by a group, typically one that has faced social, institutional, and legal marginalization based on their shared identity, culture, and experience. It is an assertion of dignity, visibility, and solidarity in the face of historical oppression and discrimination.

This definition is at the heart of the exhibit.

What is IAM trying to do with this exhibit? Why now?

Irving Archives & Museum (IAM) is committed to sharing a wide range of history, particularly stories from history that haven't been shared widely in the past. As long as there's been a Texas, there have been LGBTQ+ Texans. Their stories help us understand the nation we live in today. LGBTQ+ history is American history and is relevant for our entire community, not just those who identify as LGBTQ+.

Additionally, the exhibit's run coincides with the 10th anniversary of "Obergefell v. Hodges", the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case that guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry.

Why is IAM presenting the Badge Of Pride exhibit when there are so many other less divisive topics to do exhibits about?

We understand that not everyone enjoys every single one of the exhibits we create or host. We understand and respect that our visitors choose what they’re interested in and attend or don’t attend accordingly.

We believe that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the historical narrative. LGBTQ+ people have always been a part of North Texas, contributing to its culture, progress, and identity. Exploring this history gives us a fuller, richer understanding of our shared past. The exhibit is an opportunity to celebrate our community’s diversity and acknowledge the importance of all voices in shaping Texas, our nation, and the world at large.

Our goal at Irving Archives & Museum (IAM) is not to create controversy or promote a particular position. Our goal has and always will be to share wide-ranging and accurate history, particularly those stories which haven’t been shared widely in the past. That’s precisely what makes the Badge Of Pride: From Silence…To Celebration! exhibit so important.

Is the exhibit appropriate for all ages?

Yes. Like all our exhibits at IAM, Badge Of Pride: From Silence…To Celebration! explores history and the humanities across a wide array of topics. At a few points throughout the exhibit, we've placed "Please Note" placards explaining the content of a certain section or artifact. In these instances, visitors can decide for themselves or the young people they are responsible for whether to view this content or pass it by. We have heard, both from families with and without LGBTQ+ caregivers or relatives, that they appreciate the opportunity for their family members of all ages to see these kinds of stories represented in our collective history.

Why is IAM doing LGBTQ+ history and programs? Are you pushing an agenda?

Our agenda is this: Everyone deserves to see themselves in history, and everyone deserves to have their stories respected and shared. It's probably accurate that you're seeing more LGBTQ+ history than you're used to seeing—that's because until very recently, these stories have largely been suppressed, overlooked, and ignored.

We understand that some visitors might not always be interested in the stories we’re sharing, and we understand that they may choose to visit or not visit us based on the exhibits and programs we’re producing.

We encourage visitors to look at the full spectrum of content we produce and host here at Irving Archives & Museum (IAM). Of the many exhibits, programs, and social media posts we produce in a given month, only a relatively small percentage of that content has to do with LGBTQ+ history. While we understand this small percentage of our work might be new and unfamiliar for some of our visitors, we are committed to doing it.

What does "Badge Of Pride" mean? Is it an organization, too?

The name "Badge Of Pride" represents the symbols, stories, and artifacts that embody the resilience, strength, and vibrant culture of the LGBTQ+ community. A badge signifies honor and identity, and for many in the LGBTQ+ community, pride is a badge worn every day—a testament to living authentically despite the challenges of discrimination and invisibility. The organization seeks to celebrate these "badges" in all their forms, from protest signs and memorabilia to personal stories and historic milestones that mark the ongoing journey toward equality and acceptance.

Founded in 2022, Badge Of Pride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Dallas dedicated to preserving and sharing LGBTQ+ history to inspire and empower future generations. With a collection of over 10,000 artifacts, the organization highlights the struggles, triumphs, and vibrant cultural expressions of the LGBTQ+ experience.

Badge Of Pride's mission is to inform, enrich, and engage the power of the contemporary Queer experience by activating its collection through exhibits, performances, and educational programming. By blending history, art, and activism, Badge Of Pride not only celebrates the past but also connects it to ongoing issues in the fight for justice and equality. Through partnerships, exhibits like Badge Of Pride: From Silence...To Celebration!, and community-driven programs, the organization fosters a deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ history while honoring the resilience of those who came before.

You can learn more about their mission and work by visiting Badge Of Pride’s website.

What does “From Silence…To Celebration!” mean in the exhibit title?

The exhibit title, Badge Of Pride: From Silence...To Celebration!, encapsulates the profound journey of the LGBTQ+ community from eras of enforced silence and invisibility to a vibrant and unapologetic celebration of identity and pride. Borrowed from 1995’s national Pride theme, From Silence to Celebration, reflects the historical arc of struggle and triumph that defines LGBTQ+ history. The word silence symbolizes the oppression, fear, and invisibility experienced by LGBTQ+ individuals throughout much of history, including today, when expressing one's true self often meant risking everything—jobs, families, and even life itself.

In contrast, celebration represents the hard-won victories of visibility, acceptance, and equality. It signifies the exuberance and resilience of a community that has reclaimed its voice and declared its existence with pride and joy. This journey is one of courage, activism, and love, showing how countless individuals and movements have fought to transform fear into freedom. The exhibit invites visitors to reflect on this powerful transformation, celebrating the stories, struggles, and triumphs that have shaped the LGBTQ+ experience and continue to inspire progress today.

Does the exhibit focus on local LGBTQ+ history, national history, or both?

Badge Of Pride, in partnership with other North Texas LGBTQ+ history organizations like YesterQueer: The Tarrant County LGBTQ History Project, The Dallas Way, and Pride Museum of Texas, has designed the exhibit to weave together local North Texas LGBTQ+ history with national & global milestones, highlighting the interconnectedness of the movement.