A Guide to LGBTQ+ Terminology
LGBTQ+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), and other sexual and gender identities. The term LGBT was coined in the late 1980s but has since evolved to become more inclusive. Since then, the way we view gender and identity has changed a lot. However, many people still feel uncomfortable discussing such matters or are afraid of offending someone. So, if you’re keen to empower yourself with knowledge and expand your LGBTQ+ terminology, check out our glossary below!
LGBTQ+ Terminology
Agender:
A person who does not identify or express any gender. Unlike non-binary, an agender person does not experience any gender.
Ally:
A person who actively supports a community that is oppressed and discriminated against. For example, a straight or cisgender person who actively supports the LGBTQ+ community. The term can also refer to groups within the community, such as a lesbian supporting a transgender person.
Asexual (ace):
A sexual orientation in which a person experiences very little to no sexual attraction to others. They may still, however, experience emotional, physical, or romantic attraction. Asexuality is a spectrum ranging from zero sexual attraction to conditional sexual attraction. Contrary to popular belief, many asexual individuals do have relationships and have sex.
Assigned at birth:
A phrase commonly used by the trans community to refer to the sex given to a baby based on their anatomy. For example, a baby may be assigned ‘girl’ at birth because they have a vulva.
Biological sex:
The sex someone is born with based on their anatomy and genes. A person can either be born male, female, or intersex. However, this is not the same as gender, which is more of a social construct.
Biphobia:
The fear or hatred of an individual who is sexually and emotionally attracted to more than one gender. For example, a biphobic person shows a strong dislike of bisexuals.
Bisexual:
A person attracted to more than one sex, gender, or gender identity. However, not to the same degree. For example, a person may be sexually attracted to both cisgender men and cisgender women but have a stronger attraction for cisgender women.
Cisgender:
The term given to a person whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a cisgender woman’s gender and identity correspond with their sexual organs.
Coming out:
When a person first starts to accept, appreciate and embrace their sexual orientation or gender identity and shares this information with others.
Gay:
A term to describe someone who is attracted to members of the same gender. Commonly used to describe a man who is attracted to other men but also refers to the other genders.
Gender binary:
The system that divides gender into two distinct and strict categories: male and female. Under this system, gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth. For example, a person born with a penis is automatically a man and therefore has masculine qualities. The gender binary is largely seen as a social construct.
Gender dysphoria:
Clinically significant distress when a person’s assigned birth gender doesn’t align with how they identify themselves. For example, a difference between gender identity and genitals.
Gender euphoria:
A euphoric feeling when a person’s gender is acknowledged and respected by others or when someone´s body aligns with the gender they identify as.
Gender expansion:
An umbrella term often given to young people who are still exploring the possibility of their gender identity. Such individuals express their gender outside of the norms set by society.
Gender expression:
The external display of a person’s gender, usually through behavior, clothes, voice, and other factors. This is generally measured by how “masculine” or “feminine a person presents themselves.
Gender-fluid:
A person who doesn’t have one single fixed gender and who may move among genders.
Gender identity:
How a person views themself in terms of gender. Gender identity does not have to align with biological sex. A person may view themselves as masculine, feminine, both, or neither.
Gender non-conforming:
A person who does not follow gender stereotypes or whose gender does not fit into one category. However, not all non-conforming people are transgender.
Genderqueer:
Refers to a person who does not conform to a conventional gender identity and instead identifies as neither, both, or a combination of male or female genders.
Homophobia:
The fear or hatred of an individual who is sexually and emotionally attracted to members of the same gender.
Intersex:
Referring to those who are born with reproductive and sexual anatomy that doesn´t align with the traditional concepts of male and female. For example, a person who is born with both female and male genitalia. Or a person who possesses both female and male hormones, which causes them to develop both secondary sex characteristics.
Lesbian:
A woman who is attracted to other women. Both cisgender women a non-binary people can identify as a lesbian.
LGBTQIA:
Another acronym similar to LGBTQ+ that stands for lesbian, gay, transexual, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/agender.
Non-binary:
An adjective to describe a person who does not identify as male or female. Instead, a non-binary person may identify as both male and female, somewhere in between, or outside of either of these categories. However, not all non-binary people are transgender. Non-binary is also sometimes used as an umbrella term for other gender identities.
Outing:
Exposing someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity without their explicit permission. Outing is extremely disrespectful and can cause many negative consequences for LGBTQ+ people.
Pansexual:
A person who is attracted to all the genders, including those outside of the gender binary. Pansexual is often confused with bisexual, however, pansexual is much broader. A bisexual person may be attracted to two or more genders, but not all. Whereas, a pansexual person is attracted to all the genders.
Queer:
An umbrella term coined by the LGBTQ+ community to describe the spectrum of gender identities and sexual orientations. A person would describe themselves as queer. Historically, the word was a derogatory slur, but the LGBTQ+ community has reclaimed the word to empower themselves. However, it is important to note that the word is still offensive to some members of the community.
Questioning:
A term used when someone has realized they don’t align with society’s gender and sexual orientation norms. Instead, they explore the multiple other gender identities and sexual orientations.
Same-gender loving:
A term some prefer to use instead of gay, lesbian, or bisexual.
Sexual orientation:
An umbrella term to describe the people or genders a person is attracted to. For example, being heterosexual or homosexual are sexual orientations.
Transgender (trans):
A person whose gender identity/expression does not align with their assigned sex at birth. For example, a person that was assigned male at birth and has male anatomy may identify as female or feel that they should be a woman.
Transphobia:
The dislike, fear, or hatred of transgender people or gender-fluid people. Often, transphobia comes from a lack of education or misinformation. Transphobia can lead to discrimination and prejudice.
Transitioning:
The process some transgender people undergo to become more aligned with their gender identity. For example, transitioning can include changing one’s name and appearance, hormone therapy, gender-affirming operations, and legal transitions. A trans person may undergo all these transitions or only a few, it is a personal choice of the individual.
Before you go…
Hopefully, this blog has helped deepen your understanding of LGBTQ+ terminology. Remember, it’s important to understand that gender identity is different for everyone and you should always respect how a person chooses to identify. While the terms we’ve provided are useful, different people may have their own way of describing themselves. Plus terms are always changing and new ones are constantly being created. If you want to discover more about how to be an ally to the LGBTQ+ community, be sure to check out our virtual blog library. Only at Beginning.com.