Link to Google Doc for easy bookmarking: CLICK HERE
LGBTQ+ Glossary
LGBTQ | An acronym for “lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.”
LGBTQQIAAP | acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, allies, asexual, pansexual
--------------------------
ASEXUALThe lack of a sexual attraction or desire for other people. Often used as an umbrella term to encompass identities such as aromantic, demisexual, grey-A, heteroromantic, homoromantic, etc.
BIOLOGICAL SEX/ASSIGNED SEX A medical label used to categorize people according to their chromosomes, hormones, genitalia, and secondary sex characteristics (breasts, body hair, etc.). Usually assigned at birth as “male” or “female” by a doctor, though there are many variations outside of that socially constructed binary (i.e. intersex).
BISEXUALA person emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender, or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way, or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.
CISGENDERA term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth. Example: A person whose sex assigned at birth is “female” and identifies their gender as girl or woman.
COMING OUTThe process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts, and appreciates their sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others.
CROSSDRESSERA person who enjoys dressing in clothing typically associated with the other of the 2 socially sanctioned genders, but who generally have no intent to live full-time as the other gender. The older term “transvestite” is considered derogatory by many in the United States.
DRAGThe theatrical act of dressing in gendered clothing and/or adopting gendered behaviors as part of a performance (usually clothing and behaviors not typically associated with your own gender identity. Can be done for entertainment, as parody, or to make a political statement. Does not indicate the performer’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
FAAB OR AFABAbbreviation for “female assigned at birth” or “assigned female at birth.”
GAYA person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women, and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.
GENDERA socially constructed identity centering around notions of “masculinity,” “femininity” and “androgyny,” which includes aspects of identity and expression.
GENDER BINARYA system in which gender is constructed into two strict categories of male or female. Gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth and gender expressions and roles fit traditional expectations.
GENDER DYSPHORIA (FORMERLY REFERRED TO AS GENDER IDENTITY DISORDER)A diagnostic label included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to describe when a person identifies as a different gender than the one they were assigned based on their birth sex. This diagnosis is usually required so a trans person can receive hormone replacement therapy, sex affirmation surgery, and/or revised gender and sex markers on their identification.
GENDER EXPANSIVEA person with a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression than typically associated with the binary gender system. Often used as an umbrella term when referring to young people still exploring the possibilities of their gender expression and/or gender identity.
GENDER EXPRESSIONThe external appearance of one's gender identity usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics, or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
GENDER-FLUIDA person who does not identify with a single fixed gender or has a fluid or unfixed gender identity.
GENDER IDENTITYOne’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
GENDER NON-CONFORMINGA broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category. While many also identify as transgender, not all gender non-conforming people do.
GENDERQUEERGenderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as "genderqueer" may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female nor as falling completely outside these categories.
GENDER TRANSITIONA process some transgender people undergo to match their gender identity more closely with their outward appearance. This can include changing clothes, names, or pronouns to fit their gender identity. It may also include healthcare needs such as hormones or surgeries.
HETEROSEXUALOriginally a medical term to describe a person who experiences sexual attraction to people on the “opposite” side of the sex and/or gender binaries. The term came into existence in the 1890s solely to be used in opposition to the term “homosexual.”
HOMOSEXUALOriginally a medical term to describe a person who experiences sexual attraction to people on the same side of the sex and/or gender binaries. Because of its pathological connotation, many LGBQ people today do not identify with it.
INTERSEXIntersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. There is a wide variety of differences among intersex variations, including differences in genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits.
LESBIANA woman who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.
MAAB OR AMABAbbreviation for “male assigned at birth” or “assigned male at birth.”
MTF/M2F/MTF AND FTM/F2M/FTMTerms used to indicate the direction of a trans person’s transition and/or identification change. Usually means male-to-female, male-toward-female, female-to-male, or female-toward-male.
NON-BINARYAn adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer, or gender-fluid.
PANSEXUALDescribes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way, or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with bisexual.
PASSINGBeing perceived by others as the gender you are aiming to present as. Usually used to describe if a trans person is able to live convincingly and publicly as the gender they identify as.
PRE-, POST AND NON-OPERATIVE (OR –OP)Terms used to describe a transgender or transsexual person’s intentions or status regarding sex affirmation surgeries.
POLYAMOROUSAn identity label sometimes claimed by individuals that recognize their ability to be in multiple loving and honest sexual and/or romantic relationships at the same time.
QUEERA term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Queer is often used as a catch-all to include many people, including those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. This term was previously used as a slur but has been reclaimed by many parts of the LGBTQ movement.
QUESTIONINGA term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
SAME-GENDER LOVING (SGL)A term some prefer to use instead of lesbian, gay or bisexual to express attraction to and love of people of the same gender.
SEX AFFIRMATION SURGERY (COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS SEX REASSIGNMENT SURGERY OR GENDER CONFIRMATION SURGERY)Surgeries to change the sex characteristics of one’s body, including genitals and/or secondary sex characteristics. Often misunderstood as being a single surgery that makes all body modifications, but the reality is that there is no “one” surgery or procedure.
SEXUAL ORIENTATIONAn inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.
TRANSGENDER OR TRANSAn umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, including crossdressers, genderqueer people, trans women, trans men, bigender or polygender people, etc.
TRANS MAN (OR TRANSGENDER MAN OR TRANSEXUAL MAN)A person who has transitioned their identity from woman to man, and sometimes their body from female to male.
TRANSEXUALA person who usually experiences a strong and persistent feeling that their body and assigned sex are at odds with their gender identity. These individuals often (but not always) desire to change their bodies to reduce this dysphoria. Since this term comes from the medical establishment, many people choose not to identify with it.
TRANSITIONA series of processes that some transgender people may undergo in order to live more fully as their true gender. This typically includes social transition, such as changing name and pronouns, medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries, and legal transition, which may include changing legal name and sex on government identity documents. Transgender people may choose to undergo some, all, or none of these processes.
TRANS WOMAN (OR TRANSGENDER WOMAN OR TRANSEXUAL WOMAN)A person who has transitioned their identity from man to woman, and sometimes their body from male to female.
TWO-SPIRITIdentity label used within many American Indian and Canadian First Nations indigenous groups to describe an individual that possesses both “masculine” and “feminine” spirits. Coined by contemporary LGBT Native Americans to describe themselves and the traditional roles they are reclaiming.
ZE/HIRGender-neutral pronouns. Can be used similarly to she/her, he/him or they/them.
---------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL TERMS RELATED TO LGBTQ AGGRESSIVE (AG)An identity label claimed by some African-American and Latin@ masculine of center lesbians. Some use “stud” as a synonym.
ALLYA term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ community who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
BINARYTerm to describe an assumed duality. Usually in reference to the socially constructed gender binary of man/woman and sex binary of male/female.
BIPHOBIAThe fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
BUTCHA person, often—but not always—a lesbian or queer-identified woman, that identifies strongly with “masculinity.” Has been used historically in a derogatory manner.
CISNORMATIVITYThe outright or underlying assumption that all people are cisgender.
CISSEXISMThe cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that assume being cisgender is the only natural, normal and acceptable gender identity. The belief that transgender identities are inferior to, or less authentic than, cisgender identities.
DISCRIMINATIONWhen prejudiced feelings or beliefs move into the realm of behavior, and people are denied equality of treatment. Can be conscious and deliberate or it can be unconscious and unintentional.
DOWN LOW (DL)A term originating from the African-American community to describe a man who usually identifies as heterosexual but also has sex with men, often secretly.
FEMMEA person, often—but not always—a lesbian or queer-identified woman, that identifies strongly with “femininity.”
HETERONORMATIVITYThe outright or underlying assumption that all people are heterosexual.
HETEROSEXISMThe cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that assume heterosexuality is the only natural, normal, and acceptable sexual orientation. The belief that LGBQ identities are inferior to, or less authentic than, heterosexual identities.
HOMOPHOBIA Negative attitudes and feelings, ranging from aversion to hatred, toward people who identify as or are perceived to be LGBQ. Can be present in institutions such as religion, the education system, and the law, and also internally in individuals that may or may not identify within the LGBTQQIAAP community.
MASCULINE OF CENTERTerm coined by B. Cole of the Brown Boi Project to describe a queer or lesbian female assigned at birth person with a more masculine gender expression. Can be used as an umbrella term of sorts to include identities such as butch, stud, aggressive (ag), dom, mach@, boi, tomboy, transmasculine, etc.
OUT/OUTINGExposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety, or religious or family situations.
PREJUDICETo hold an adverse opinion or belief without just ground before acquiring specific knowledge; often against people or groups of people who are perceived as being “different” or having “different values.”
PRIVILEGEA “system of advantage” that gives people from more powerful social groups access to resources and opportunities that are denied to others (and usually gained at their expense) simply because of the groups they belong to (Goodman, 2001; Johnson, 2001; Wildman & Davis, 1996, 2000).
QPOC/ QTPOCAbbreviation for “queer people of color” or “queer and trans people of color.”
ROMANTIC ATTRACTIONThe aspect of an individual’s identity determines who they focus their romantic feelings and desires toward.
SEXISMThe cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that privilege men and/or masculinity, subordinate women and/or femininity, and denigrate values and practices associated with women.
TRANSFEMININEA trans person whose gender expression is primarily “feminine.” Often includes trans, transgender, and/or transexual women.
TRANSMASCULINEA trans person whose gender expression is primarily “masculine.” Often includes trans, transgender, and/or transexual men.
TRANSPHOBIANegative attitudes and feelings, ranging from aversion to hatred, toward people who identify as or are perceived to be trans. Can be present in institutions such as religion, the education system, and the law, and also internally in individuals that may or may not identify within the trans community.
UNDOCUQUEERIdentity labels claimed by some individuals in the United States who are both queer and undocumented show that those two aspects of their identity are not only intersectional but also inseparable.
------------------------------------
REFERENCEShttps://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-termshttps://lgbtq.multicultural.ufl.edu/programs/speakersbureau/lgbtq-terms-definitions/
