Lgbtqi terminology
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ society organizations and leaders. Watch acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender phrase, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
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*NOTE: Ask people what terms they utilize to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for female homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering back for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term gay community should be avoided, as it does not accurately show the div
The following list is neither comprehensive nor incontrovertible, but its an ever-improving list of definitions for terminology relating to LGBTQ+ identities & people, sexualities, and genders.
advocate – 1noun : a person who actively works to end intolerance, educate others, and back social equity for a marginalized group. 2verb : to actively support or plea in favor of a particular cause, the action of working to end intolerance or train others.
agender – adj. : a person with no (or very little) connection to the traditional system of gender, no personal alignment with the concepts of either man or woman, and/or someone who sees themselves as existing without gender. Sometimes called gender neutrois, gender neutral, or genderless.
ally /“al-lie”/ – noun : a (typically straight and/or cisgender) person who supports and respects members of the LGBTQ community. We consider people to be active allies who take action on in support and respect.
androgyny /“an-jrah-jun-ee”/ (androgynous) – 1 noun. : a gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity; 2adj. : occasionally used in place of “intersex” to describe a pers
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or verbalization because it feels taboo, or because they’re scared of saying the untrue thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more relaxed. LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A word used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the Homosexual community who support each other (e.g., a queer woman who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual action with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | A person emotion
LGBTQI
LGBTQI FactsRFSL
LGBTQI is an umbrella term for lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender and gay people.
The L, G, and B refer to sexual orientation, who a person feels romantically and/or sexually attracted to.
The T refers to gender identity and expression.
Q refers to lgbtq+ in relation to sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or relationships and sexual practice, but it also represents a critical view of existing norms.
I refers to intersex, which is an umbrella legal title used for a variety of experiences in which a person is born with, or develops, a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of female or male. An intersex person may name as female, male, or neither.
The first time that the acronym, LGBT (hbt), was used in copy in Sweden was in in RFSL’s member magazine, Kom Ut the purpose was to broaden terms such as queer and homosexual.
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