misconception about LGBTQ people LGBTQ identity as a social contagion A queerphobic idea that postulates that LGBTQIA+ persons "become" LGBTQIA+ after being "infected" by other LGBTQIA+ persons. Such a theory was widely believed concerning gay persons until extremely recently (but is still a mainstream idea in many parts of the world) and theories concerning transgender people are still widespread today, despite a marked absence of concrete evidence. homosexuality as a social contagion transgender as a social contagion