Dear readers, this is the final part in a four-part series in which I have sought to define or clarify the terms often used regarding sexuality that are misunderstood by many. I have already shared on the terms transgender, transsexual, intersex and homosexual. Today I share briefly on the terms bisexual, sexual orientation and the acronym LGBTQ.

Bisexual
Bisexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior toward both males and females, or romantic or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity. The latter aspect is sometimes alternatively termed pansexuality, according to Wikipedia.

Sexual orientation
Sexual orientation describes a person's enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to another person (for example, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual), while gender identity describes a person's internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman (or someone outside of that gender binary), also according to Wikipedia.

LGBTQ
Many know the meaning of the acronym LGBTQ. However, many do not know what "Q" stands for. L: lesbian, G: gay, B: bisexual, T: transgender and Q: queer or questioning.

Questioning refers to individuals who are unsure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Queer is an umbrella term encompassing a variety of sexual orientations and gender identities excluding heterosexuality, according to Heartland Alliance International.

My last words
We do have all of these kinds of individuals in our country. I can remember as a teen my father sharing with us about intersex persons, although that was not the term he used. That was over 50 years ago.

Homosexuality is not in the closet anymore in our country, although individual homosexuals might be. However, transgenders and transsexuals are still in the closet. Could it be because they fear that they will not be treated fairly?

Today we do have a more open society. Technology and free speech are opening the floodgates of information. This is good. More people are feeling free to express themselves or their views openly.

We must learn to live harmoniously with all of these individuals and views. This is a part of a pluralistic, free, democratic society. The healing of our society is not by the removal of these individual but instead by embracing the differences among us. The irony is that many who want to banish homosexuals and others off our island are already intimately involved with them as relatives or friends.

We do not have to accept or agree with the behaviors, but we can be civil and respect the rights of individuals. All human beings in The Bahamas have the right to be treated with respect and fairly. They should have access to services and protection, and be free from harm and harassment.

Christians have a mandate to love unconditionally. If there is anybody who should show unconditional acceptance and unconditional love, it should be the Christian. All people are deserving of this, even if we disagree with their lifestyle or behavior.

It is imperative also that Christians do not insist that the constitution is a moral document or religious document. It is to be a neutral, secular document. Yes, there are certain principles that are morally or spiritually parallel, however, the constitution is a tool for civil society to function by allowing equity for everyone.

My appeal to Christians is that we avoid making the gospel toxic. I appeal to everyone that we make the gospel attractive by our loving lifestyle and not by being a pain in the butt.

o Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and family therapist and board certified clinical psychotherapist. Send your questions or comments to barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or write to P.O. Box CB-13019, Nassau, The Bahamas, or visit www.soencouragement.org or call 242-327-1980 or 242-477-4002.

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