Glossary of Terms

Understanding the diverse identities and experiences within the LGBTI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex +) community is essential for fostering inclusivity and respect. This glossary aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the many terms used to describe sexual orientations, gender identities, and related concepts. Whether you’re part of the community, an ally, or simply curious, this guide offers valuable insights to navigate and appreciate the rich spectrum of human identity. As language and culture evolve, so too does our understanding\u2014this glossary serves as a starting point to explore and celebrate diversity.

A

  • Ace (Asexual): A person who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum and includes a variety of experiences.
  • Agender: A person who identifies as having no gender or a lack of gender identity.
  • Ally: A person who supports and advocates for the LGBTI+ community, even if they are not part of it themselves.
  • Androgynous: Having a gender expression that is a mix of traditionally male and female traits.
  • Aromantic: A person who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others.
  • Assigned at Birth: The gender a person is labeled as when they are born, often based on physical anatomy (e.g., “assigned female at birth” or “assigned male at birth”).

B

  • Bicurious: A person who is exploring or curious about experiencing attraction to people of the same gender as well as different genders.
  • Bigender: A person who identifies as two genders, either simultaneously or at different times.
  • Bisexual: A person who is attracted to two or more genders.
  • BIPOC: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; often used to highlight the intersectionality of race and LGBTI+ identity.

C

  • Cisgender: A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
  • Closeted: A term for someone who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others.
  • Coming Out: The process of revealing one’s LGBTI+ identity to others, either privately or publicly.
  • Cross-dresser: A person who wears clothing traditionally associated with a gender other than their own. This term is distinct from transgender.

D

  • Demiboy: A person who partially identifies as male, but not fully.
  • Demigirl: A person who partially identifies as female, but not fully.
  • Demisexual: A person who experiences sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond with someone.
  • Drag King/Queen: A performer who adopts exaggerated male (king) or female (queen) gender characteristics, often for entertainment purposes.

E

  • Enby: A colloquial term for a nonbinary person (derived from the abbreviation NB).
  • Equality: The state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities. Often used in the context of LGBTI+ rights.

F

  • Femme: A person whose gender expression leans toward traditional femininity, regardless of their gender identity.
  • Fluid: A term that describes a gender or sexual orientation that can change over time.
  • FTM (Female-to-Male): A transgender person who transitions from female to male.

G

  • Gay: A person who is attracted to people of the same gender. Often used to refer specifically to men but can also be used as an umbrella term.
  • Gender Dysphoria: The distress or discomfort a person may feel when their gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth.
  • Gender Expression: The external display of one’s gender through clothing, behavior, and other outward signals.
  • Gender Fluid: A person whose gender identity or expression shifts between different genders.
  • Genderqueer: A person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions and identifies outside the gender binary.

H

  • Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are the norm.
  • Heterosexual (Straight): A person who is attracted to individuals of the opposite gender.
  • Homophobia: Prejudice or discrimination against LGBTI+ individuals, particularly those who identify as gay or lesbian.
  • Homosexual: A clinical term for someone who is attracted to people of the same gender. It is less commonly used today.

I

  • Intersex: A person born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
  • Intersectionality: The concept that various forms of social identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality) interact and contribute to unique experiences of discrimination or privilege.

J

  • Jargon: Specialized terms used within the LGBTI+ community to describe identities, experiences, or cultural elements.

K

  • Kinsey Scale: A scale developed by Alfred Kinsey to measure a person’s sexual orientation on a spectrum from exclusively heterosexual (0) to exclusively homosexual (6).

L

  • Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women.
  • LGBT+: An acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, with the plus sign representing other sexual and gender identities.
  • LGBTI+: An acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, with the plus sign representing other sexual and gender identities.
  • LGBTQ+: An acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, with the plus sign representing other sexual and gender identities.
  • Lifestyle: A controversial term sometimes misused to describe LGBTI+ identity, implying it is a choice rather than an inherent aspect of identity.

M

  • MTF (Male-to-Female): A transgender person who transitions from male to female.
  • Misgendering: Referring to someone using a gender they do not identify with.
  • Minority Stress: The chronic stress experienced by members of marginalized groups, including LGBTI+ individuals.

N

  • Nonbinary: A person who does not identify as exclusively male or female.
  • Neopronouns: Newly created pronouns that are not traditionally part of the language, often used by nonbinary individuals (e.g., xe/xem).

O

  • Outing: Revealing someone’s LGBTI+ identity without their consent.
  • Orientation: A person’s enduring pattern of romantic or sexual attraction to others.

P

  • Pansexual: A person who is attracted to people regardless of their gender.
  • Passing: Being perceived as a member of a certain group, often used in the context of transgender individuals being perceived as their identified gender.
  • Polyamory: The practice of engaging in consensual romantic or sexual relationships with multiple people.

Q

  • Queer: An umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. It has been reclaimed by some as a positive identity but may still be considered offensive by others.
  • Questioning: A person who is exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

R

  • Rainbow Flag: A symbol of LGBTI+ pride and diversity.
  • Representation: The inclusion of LGBTI+ individuals and stories in media, politics, and other cultural spaces.

S

  • Sex Assigned at Birth: The label (male, female, or intersex) given to a person based on their physical anatomy at birth.
  • Sexual Orientation: A person’s pattern of attraction to others.
  • Spectrum: A range used to describe the fluidity of identities and experiences, such as gender and sexuality.

T

  • Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
  • Transition: The process of aligning one’s physical or social presentation with their gender identity.
  • Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous North American cultures to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits.

U

  • Umbrella Term: A broad term that encompasses a variety of specific identities, such as LGBTI+.
  • Unlabeled: A person who chooses not to label their gender or sexual orientation.

V

  • Validation: Recognizing and affirming someone’s identity and experiences.
  • Visibility: The state of being seen and acknowledged as part of the LGBTI+ community.

W

  • Womxn: An alternative spelling of “women” meant to be more inclusive of transgender and nonbinary individuals.

X

  • Xenogender: A nonbinary gender identity that is described using metaphors or concepts beyond traditional gender categories.

Y

  • Youth LGBTI+: Resources, support groups, and spaces designed for young LGBTI+ individuals.

Z

  • Ze/Zir: Gender-neutral pronouns often used by nonbinary individuals.
  • Zoomer: A playful term referring to members of Generation Z, some of whom are leading LGBTI+ activism.

This glossary provides a comprehensive overview of terms within the LGBTI+ community. Language evolves, so this list may expand over time to include new terms and concepts.

Back to top button