A home for all LGBTQIA+ Highly Sensitive people (HSPs)
If you're a highly sensitive person (HSP) and identify anywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, you may be wondering what "queer" really means in Sensitive and Queer. So let's make it clear.
Who we mean when we say "Queer"
At Sensitive and Queer, we use "queer" as a broad and inclusive term. We welcome:
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Pansexual people
- Transgender, Non-Binary, and Gender Nonconforming folks
- Intersex and Two-Spirit individuals
- Asexual and Aromantic people
- Questioning and fluid identities
- Everyone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella who feels more comfortable in a softer, slower, more intentional space
We recognise that identity is personal. Some people feel empowered by the word "queer"; others may have mixed feelings or avoid it altogether. That's okay. You're still welcome.
Why some people don't use the word "Queer" and why you're still welcome here
We know that language holds power. It can be affirming and expansive, but it can also carry hurt or confusion. One word that brings up mixed feelings for many in our community is "queer."
So let's talk about it.
The complicated history of "Queer"
For some, "queer" feels like a warm, open word. It's broad, defiant, and lovingly vague, a way to embrace fluidity, difference, and community outside rigid categories.
But for others, the word brings discomfort or pain. For decades, queer was used as a slur, a weapon to shame, isolate, or ridicule those of us who didn't conform. And although many in the LGBTQIA+ community have reclaimed it, that history still lingers for some.
Personally, I didn't always have a comfortable history with the term, which is partly why I used it here! I wanted to reclaim it as positive and take back its power for joy and connection.
If the word doesn't sit right with you, that's okay. And you are absolutely still welcome here as you are.
Why we use "Queer" and what we mean by it
When we say Sensitive and Queer, we're using queer as an inclusive, loving umbrella. We use it because:
- It makes room for identities that aren't always named or neatly defined
- It embraces fluidity, change, and self-discovery
- It honours the activist roots of our community, the people who stood up and said: "There's nothing wrong with being different"
- It centres community and experience, not just labels
- It allows us to be expansive, to hold space for those who don't see themselves represented in the mainstream LGBTQ+ narrative.
We use it with love, awareness, and a deep commitment to safety and belonging for all queer HSPs.
We know identity is personal, and we never expect everyone to use the same words. What matters most to us is creating a space where you feel seen, respected, and safe.
If you don't use the word "Queer," you still belong
You might prefer LGBTQIA+, gay, lesbian, trans, ace, bi, pan, non-binary, or something uniquely your own. You might be questioning, unsure, or still exploring. That's all valid. That's all, welcome.
We've chosen the word queer to signal that this is a space for anyone under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella who feels different, sensitive and in need of softer, slower spaces. But you never have to use that word for yourself.
You get to define your identity in the way that feels right to you.
We'll meet you there with care, curiosity, and zero pressure.
What it's like to be a Queer HSP
Being queer and highly sensitive can come with unique challenges and unique gifts. Many of us:
- Feel deeply impacted by social injustice and discrimination
- Pick up on emotional dynamics others miss
- Crave deep, meaningful connections
- Struggle with overwhelm in noisy, high-pressure environments
- Need more rest, more recovery time, and more authenticity
But we also:
- Bring profound empathy, insight, and creativity
- Notice beauty in things others overlook
- Create inclusive, transformative spaces
- Lead with heart and vision
- Understand the power of being different
This intersection is itself a spectrum.
A safer space for LGBTQIA+ HSPs
At Sensitive and Queer, our goal is to create a supportive community for people who live at this intersection. We offer:
- Courses, coaching, and resources designed for LGBTQIA+ HSPs
- A focus on self-care, empowerment, and connection
- Content and conversations that honour your sensitivity and your queerness
- Spaces where it's okay to be soft, unsure, emotional, introverted, or different
Whether you're exploring your identity, healing from burnout, or building a life or business that fits you, this space is for you.
You don't have to explain your sensitivity or your queerness; you're in the right place. We see you, we honour your identity, and we believe your sensitivity is something to celebrate, not fix.
Join the Community, a new kind of village to explore, grow, and connect with other queer highly sensitive people.