In recent years, awareness and understanding of LGBTQIA+ identities have grown, prompting discussions about terminology that respects and recognizes diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. In order to understand the realities of the LGBTQIA+ community, it’s important to understand the lingo.
LGBTQIA+: An acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual, with the “+” signifying the inclusion of other identities.
Ally – A person who supports and respects sexual diversity, acts accordingly to challenge homophobic and heterosexist remarks and behaviors, and is willing to explore and understand these forms of bias within themselves.
Asexual – Someone who does not experience sexual attraction toward others, and who identifies as asexual. May or may not experience romantic, emotional, or physical attractions to other people.
Bicurious – An individual who identifies as gay or straight while showing some curiosity for a relationship or sexual activity with a person of the sex they do not favor.
Bisexual – A person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to both men and women.
Cisgender – A person who feels as if their biological sex matches their gender identity.
Fluid – A sexual or gender identity that exists beyond a binary system of either gay or straight, man or woman.
Gay – A sexual and affectional orientation toward people of the same gender.
Gender Identity – How one perceives oneself – as a man, a woman, or otherwise.
Lesbian – A woman who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to other women, or someone who identifies as a member of the lesbian community.
Pansexual – A person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.
Pronouns – One class of words that an individual would like others to use when talking to or about that individual (for example: he/him/his, she/her/hers, or ze/hir/hirs).
Queer – Term describing people who have a non-normative gender identity, sexual orientation, or sexual anatomy—includes lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and transgender people and allies.
Transgender – An umbrella term for those individuals whose gender identity does not match with that assigned for their physical sex.
Transsexual – A term that is specific to trans people who have transitioned their sex through hormones and/or surgery.
