LGBT individuals are those who do not identify themselves exclusively as heterosexual or cisgender. Cisgender is defined as having one's gender assigned at birth match their biological sex. According to traditional philosophies, identity is considered to be fixed and unchanging; it defines who an individual is based on certain parameters like age, ethnicity, religion, education, profession, etc., but this view fails to consider the complexity of human nature. LGBT people challenge classical philosophical ideas because they defy categorization into fixed categories. They have unique identities that cannot be defined by any one characteristic such as race, class, or sexual orientation.
A person may have a black skin color, be from a middle-class family background, educated, and yet not identify as either male or female. This shows that identity is more than just physical characteristics and can include mental perceptions, emotions, and experiences.
LGBT people often experience discrimination and marginalization due to their sexual orientation, which affects their sense of self-worth and belongingness in society. As they struggle to find acceptance and visibility in a world where normative ideals reign supreme, they must grapple with questions about their own identity formation. Some choose to embrace fluidity and reject the rigid binary of male/female dichotomy while others seek to define themselves within these boundaries. This highlights how identity is not static but constantly evolving over time as people navigate various social contexts.
LGBT individuals' lived experiences challenge the idea that sexuality is innate and immutable. Some believe that sexuality is determined by genetics, hormones, and brain development at birth, whereas others argue for environmental factors influencing it later in life.
Studies show that sexual attraction and behavior are influenced by both biological and social factors, making them dynamic and malleable rather than fixed. Therefore, LGBT persons' experiences show that identity is multifaceted and subjective, challenging classical philosophical views of identity as fixed and unchanging.
How does the lived experience of LGBT individuals challenge classical philosophical notions of identity as fixed and unchanging?
The concept of identity has been central to philosophical discourse since its inception. The idea that there is an essential self-identity that remains constant throughout one's life, despite external changes, is commonly attributed to Plato's Theory of Forms. According to this theory, everything in the world can be classified into categories based on their shared characteristics.