QTPOC / QPOC

“QTPOC” is an acronym that stands for “queer and trans people of color.” Sometimes the abbreviation will be written as “QPOC” if only referring to “queer people of color.” (“People of color” referring to non-white people, including Black and Latinx.) It’s a term that’s usually used when discussing issues that specifically, and often disproportionately, affect queer and trans communities of color. 

“QTPOC” stands for “queer and trans people of color.” See also: QPOC, aka queer people of color. 

Black transgender and gender non-conforming people people face higher levels of discrimination in the United States than white transgender people. Queer people of color face both racism and homophobia on a regular basis, leading them to be more likely to have physical and mental health issues, like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders. For this reason, the acronyms QPOC and QTPOC were born, in order to discuss these issues that uniquely affect these communities. 

You also might see “QPOC” and “QTPOC” if certain events, for instance around Pride month, or protests, like for Black Lives Matter, are specifically for those groups of people. In those cases, white queers should sit those events out.