LGBTQ Terminology
LGBTQ Terminology
**This is not meant to be a complete list. Terminology changes, words take on new meanings, and new words become part of the vernacular often.**
Ally – Refers to an individual who actively supports the LGBTQ community. This individual may or may not be LGBTQ identifying.
Asexual – Refers to an individual who does not experience sexual attraction, or experiences sexual attraction at lower-than-average levels. This is not the same as celibacy.
Assigned Female At Birth (AFAB) – Refers to an individual who was born with female characteristics, such as a vagina, and thus classified as female at birth.
Assigned Male At Birth (AMAB) – Refers to an individual who was born with male characteristics, such as a penis, and thus classified as male at birth.
Biphobia – Fear, hatred, erasure, or dislike of bisexuality.
Bisexual – Refers to an individual who experiences attraction to more than one gender. This does not imply non-monogamy.
Cisgender – Refers to an individual whose gender identity aligns with the gender and sex assigned to them at birth. Colloquially shortened to “cis” or combined as “ciswoman” or “cisman.”
Closeted/In The Closet – Refers to an individual who wishes to keep their gender identity or sexual orientation secret from some or all people.
Coming Out – The process of accepting one’s own gender identity and/or sexuality, and letting others know about it.
Demi-Sexual – Refers to an individual who does not experience sexual attraction unless they have formed a strong emotional connection with another individual.
Drag – Dressing or acting in a style typically associated with another gender, typically through costume and/or performance. This is not synonymous with transgender.
Feminine Presenting – Refers to an individual who expresses gender in a more feminine way, for example with hairstyle, demeanor, or clothing style.
Gay – Refers to men who are attracted to other men. Although the term “lesbian” is commonly used for women, the term “gay” may refer to either, or both groups.
FtM – An acronym meaning “female to male,” sometimes used to refer to an individual who was born biologically female and now presents as male.
Gender – The range of characteristics differentiating between masculinity and femininity, typically referencing social and cultural differences rather than biological ones.
Gender Binary – The idea that there are only two genders, male and female, and that a person must be strictly one or the other.
Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS) – The surgical process by which transgender individuals change their physical and sexual characteristics to reflect their gender identity. May also be referred to as “sexual reassignment surgery,” but should never be referred to with the outdated term “sex change.” GCS can be part of a gender transition, but is not necessary. Not all transgender individuals choose to or can afford to have such surgery.
Gender Dysphoria – Medical term referring to the discomfort individuals experience when their outward appearance (gender expression) does not align with their mental and emotional state (gender identity).
Gender Expression – The external display of an individual’s gender through a combination of dress, demeanor, behavior, and other factors.
Gender Fluid – Refers to an individual whose gender may change or shift over time, or be a mix of things.
Gender Identity – The internal perception on one’s own gender, based on how an individual does or does not align with available options (male, female, trans, genderqueer, etc.)
Gender Non-Conforming – A broad term for individuals who do not fall into traditional patterns of behavior and expression based on their gender.
Genderqueer – Refers to an individual whose gender identity does not fit into a binary. Often synonymous with the term “non-binary.” May refer to somebody who is genderfluid, agender, multiple genders, etc.
Heteronormativity – The assumption that everyone is heterosexual, that heterosexuality is superior and preferable. Leads to stigmatization against other sexualities. May also include assumption that all individuals not only do, but should identify as only male or female, and be respectively masculine and feminine to match.
Heterosexism – Behavior that grants preferential treatment to heterosexual people.
Heterosexual – An individual who is primarily emotionally, physically, and sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex (in binary terms). Also called “straight.”
Homophobia – A range of negative attitudes (hatred, fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, discomfort, etc) targeted at members of the LGBTQ community. While this does refer to bisexual and transgender individuals as well, the terms “biphobia” and “transphobia” are often used as well.
Homosexual – An individual who is primarily emotionally, physically, and sexually attracted to members of the same sex. However, this term is occasionally considered stigmatizing because of its history as a category of mental illness. The terms “gay” and “lesbian” are preferred.
Intersex – An individual whose chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals differ from expected patterns of male or female. Previously called “hermaphrodite,” but this term is dated and derogatory.
Lesbian – Refers to women who are attracted to other women.
Masculine Presenting - Refers to an individual who expresses gender in a more masculine way, for example with hairstyle, demeanor, or clothing style.
MSM/WSW – Acronyms that stand for “men who have sex with men” and “women who have sex with women.” Used to distinguish sexual behavior from sexual identity.
MtF - An acronym meaning “male to female,” sometimes used to refer to an individual who was born biologically male and now presents as female.
Mx. – Prounounced “mix.” This is a title that provides a gender neutral alternative to Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc.
Outing – Involuntary, unwanted, or accidental disclosure of an individual’s gender identity and/or sexuality.
Pansexual – An individual who experiences emotional, physical, and sexual attraction to members of all gender identities and expressions.
Passing – A term for transgender individuals being accepted as, or able to “pass” as the gender identity they identify with, regardless of birth sex. Also an LGBQ individual who is perceived as straight.
Pronoun: a word that substitutes for a noun. The most common pronouns are she/her/hers and he/him/his. However, many Trans, Genderqueer, Genderfluid, and Nonbinary individuals may prefer other pronouns. Some examples include they/them/theirs and ze/zir/zirs, but there are many other possibilities.
Queer – (1) An umbrella term for an individual on the LGBTQ spectrum. (2) An umbrella term for the LGBTQ community. (3) An alternative way to describe gender and/or sexuality if an individual is not comfortable with available terminology. May be considered derogatory by some.
Questioning – An individual who is uncertain about or exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Sex – A term referencing the biological sex organs an individual possesses. Sex is not inherently linked to gender.
Sexual Identity/Sexual Orientation – The type of sexual attraction an individual feels for others, often labeled by the gender of the individual and those they are attracted to.
Top Surgery – Refers to surgery for construction of a male-type chest or breast augmentation for a female-type chest. Typically a part of Gender Confirmation Surgery.
Transgender – (1) An umbrella term that covers all individuals who defy social gender norms. (2) An individual who lives as a member of a different gender than expected based on sex assigned at birth.
Transition(ing) – The process by which an individual changes their physical appearance to be congruent with their gender identity.
Transman – An identity label sometimes used by FtM transgender individuals.
Transwoman – An identity label sometimes used by MtF transgender individuals.
Transphobia - A range of negative attitudes (hatred, fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, discomfort, etc) targeted at trans individuals, the trans community, gender ambiguous individuals, and/or the gender ambiguous community.