Why do I feel the need to copy a stereotype so that I might get recognized as part of the LGBTQ community?

Sometimes we feel the need to look or act a certain way to be accepted in ANY kind of group but this is untrue !!

It could be because of low self confidence or fear of rejection. Either way the important thing in being different is that you accept who u are 1st before allowing others to accept u.

You might feel like your sexual/romantic orientation or gender identity is not valid unless you conform to the corresponding stereotypes. No matter what, you are valid and so are your orientation/identity.

Sometimes, although it isn't right, people are only seen as truly and permanently part of the community if they fit both insiders' and outsiders' ideals of what they should be, which general,y means that it's expected that you adhere to a stereotype. You don't have to though, and are completely valid either way.

Maybe it's because you want acceptance, and acceptance is easier from people that are the same as you.

There are a lot of people who have biases or certain views on what someone who is LGBT should be or look like. It can hurt when people say things like “you don’t look gay/trans/etc” so some people feel the desire to follow a stereotype in order to feel more valid or accepted. The important thing is that you’re being true to yourself and identifying as LGBT doesn’t change who you are as a person, whether that follows or doesn’t follow a specific stereotype of your identity. Be who you are and if people can’t accept that or say hurtful things remember that you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

People often feel like they have to fall into the stereotype of any sexuality because they want to fit in and be included. To be more visible to the community is absolutely a different ball of wax - being part of a minority community, especially one that isn't easily distinguishable and can often seem very intimidating because of the lingering homophobia still raging through the world - can leave people feeling like they'll never find people like them without a "codeword" or "Sign." Back in the 80's, it used to be an earring on a specific side represented a sexuality, or handkerchiefs - now-a-days, it's usually depicted on a form of dressing (Holy femme invisibility, batman!) that helps people kind of narrow down that they're looking at a member of the "tribe". Never forget the all too present rainbow bracelets/rings/necklaces. What i'd recommend taking from this.. is because it's a compulsory human reaction to try to blend in and find your allies.

In my experience, this is the general trend I've observed: being part of a community, especially a socially marginalized one, provides solace and comfort. Surrounding oneself with those whom we share uncommon characteristics with allows one to realize that one is not alone and that one is accepted. The first step to overcoming insecurities is reassuring one's own self that where these insecurities derive from is either intrinsic to one's personality or nothing to be ashamed of. This brings up the question, then, of how to embrace one's position in the LGBTQ community, a community so frequently stereotyped and whose stereotypes are so well-known. Often, the people within this community are so genuinely set on spreading their positive message of pride and acceptance that this theme is lost in the loudness of the community. Hence, the LGBTQ community and the comfort and solace it provides is closely associated with the demonstrations and character of its constituents. In short, one's desire to make a name for oneself in a community might manifest desires to associate with that community's stereotypes, because it seems like the only way to express the characteristic one has in common with that community is through embracing the stereotypes of said community.