Glossary

Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/or activist for LGBTQ people. A heterosexual ally is also someone who confronts heterosexism in themselves and others. The term ally is generally used for any member of a dominant group who is a friend, advocate or activist for people in an oppressed group (i.e. White Ally for People of Color).

Term used to describe an individual whose gender expression and/or identity may be neither distinctly “female” nor “male,” usually based on appearance.

A gender identity that is associated with someone who has an androgynous gender expression.

A sexual orientation generally characterized by not feeling sexual attraction or desire for partnered sexuality. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity. Some asexual people do have sex. There are many diverse ways of being asexual.

A romantic orientation generally characterized by not feeling romantic attraction or desire for romantic partnerships.

(alt. Bi-antagonism or Anti-Bi) The fear, hatred, or intolerance of bisexual people.

Refers to the state of not being openly out about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Describes a person who is not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Historically used in the U.S. to describe state-based relationship recognition for same-sex couples that offered some or all of the state (though none of the federal) rights, protections, and responsibilities of marriage. While many Western countries (including the United States) have now legalized marriage for same-sex couples, others only legally recognize same-sex relationships through civil unions.

a term used to describe people who, for the most part, identify as the gender they were assigned at birth.

An individual who is physically, romantically and/or emotionally attracted to two genders (i.e. men and women, women and non-binary folks, etc…). Bisexuals need not have had sexual experience with both genders; in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as bisexual.

An individual who identifies with two genders. Both genders can be present at once or someone may identify with one gender part of the time and another gender in a different time.

A lifelong process of self-acceptance. People forge a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer identity first to themselves and then may reveal it to others. Publicly identifying one’s orientation may or may not be part of coming out. Coming out is not a singular instance and can happen multiply across one’s lifetime.

Identifying partially as one or more genders (i.e. Demigirl is someone who partially identifies as a girl).

While anyone may wear clothes associated with a different sex, the term cross-dresser is typically used to refer to men who occasionally wear clothes, makeup, and accessories culturally associated with women. Those men typically identify as heterosexual. This activity is a form of gender expression and not done for entertainment purposes. Cross-dressers do not wish to permanently change their sex or live full-time as women. Replaces the term “transvestite”.

Someone who identifies on the asexual spectrum that experiences sexual attraction for someone once a deep emotional connection has been formed.

Civil/legal recognition of a committed relationship between two people that sometimes extends limited protections to them.

Pop-culture term used to describe men who identify as heterosexual but engage in sexual activity with other men. Often these men are in committed sexual relationships or marriages with a female partner. This term is almost exclusively used to describe men of color.

Used by people who present socially in clothing, name, and/or pronouns that differ from their everyday gender, usually for enjoyment, entertainment, and/or self-expression. Drag queens typically have everyday lives as men. Drag kings typically live as women and/or butches when not performing. Drag shows are popular in some gay, lesbian, and bisexual environments. Unless they are drag performers, most Trans people would be offended by being confused with drag queens or drag kings.

A subculture of individuals who identify as having an alignment for/with anthropomorhic cartoon animals. This can look like having a “fursona,” wearing fur suits, going to conventions, etc… This does not refer to someone who has sexual attraction to animals (i.e. beastiality).

The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (i.e., gay man, gay people). In contemporary contexts, lesbian (n. or adj.) is often a preferred term for women. Avoid identifying gay people as “homosexuals” an outdated term considered derogatory and offensive to many lesbian and gay people. This is largely a binary term, coming from the perspective of their being two genders of “male” and female,” whereas pansexual or queer often imply attraction outside the limits of the standard gender binary.

Refers to how an individual expresses their socially constructed gender. This may refer to how an individual dresses, their general appearance, the way they speak, and/or the way they carry themselves. Gender expression is not always correlated to an individuals’ gender identity or gender role.

Describes a person whose gender identity is not fixed. A person who is gender fluid may always feel like a mix of the two traditional genders, but may feel more one gender some days, and another gender other days.

Experiencing gender with varying intensity. Genderflux individuals are on the gender fluid spectrum. They usually switch between male and female identities.

Since gender is a social construct, an individual may have a self perception of their gender that is different or the same as their biological sex. Gender identity is an internalized realization of one’s gender and may not be manifested in their outward appearance (gender expression) or their place in society (gender role). It is important to note that an individual’s gender identity is completely separate from their sexual orientation.

This term is used to describe facilities that any individual can use regardless of their gender (i.e. gender neutral bathrooms). This term can also be used to describe an individual who does not subscribe to any socially constructed gender (sometimes referred to as “Gender Queer”). (Alternatively, Gender Inclusive can be used to describe facilities as well)

A person who is, or is perceived to have gender characteristics that do not conform to traditional or societal expectations.

Surgeries used to modify one’s body to be more congruent with one’s gender identity. Also referred to as sex reassignment surgery (SRS) or gender confirming surgery (GCS). This is often paired with hormone treatment and psychological assistance. A transgender individual must go through several years of hormones and psychological evaluation and live as the “opposite” or “desired” gender prior to receiving the surgery.

Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/or activist for LGBTQ people. A heterosexual ally is also someone who confronts heterosexism in themselves and others. The term ally is generally used for any member of a dominant group who is a friend, advocate or activist for people in an oppressed group (i.e. White Ally for People of Color).

A societal expectation of how an individual should act, think, and/or feel based upon an assigned gender in relation to society’s binary biological sex system.

Experiencing sexual/romantic attraction very rarely or under specific circumstances.

An adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to people of the opposite sex. Also straight.

(see Offensive Terms to Avoid) Outdated clinical term considered derogatory and offensive by many gay and lesbian people. The Associated Press, New York Times and Washington Post restrict usage of the term. Gay and/or lesbian accurately describe those who are attracted to people of the same gender.

Romantic attraction oriented toward someone of the same gender.

Fear of people attracted to the same gender. Intolerance, bias, or prejudice is usually a more accurate description of antipathy toward LGBTQ people.

An umbrella term describing people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or a chromosome pattern that can’t be classified as typically male or female. Those variations are also sometimes referred to as Differences of Sex Development (DSD.) Avoid the outdated and derogatory term “hermaphrodite.” While some people can have an intersex condition and also identify as transgender, the two are separate and should not be conflated. (For more information, visit interactyouth.org.)

Often used by communities of color to denote inclusion in the LGBTQ communities.

A woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women.

An acronym used to refer to all sexual minorities: “Lesbian, Gay/Gender Neutral/Gender Queer, Bisexual/Bigender, Transgender/Transvestite/Transsexual, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, and Allies/Androgynous/Asexual.”

Commonly used by communities of color to denote the attraction of men to men.

men, including those who do not identify themselves as gay or bisexual, who engage in sexual activity with other men (used in public health contexts to avoid excluding men who identify as heterosexual).

a relationship configuration in which someone is in a consensual relationship with one other person; and neither partner is seeing someone outside this relationship.

a gender-neutral term that is used to refer to one’s niece or nephew collectively or refer to someone of similar relation that does not identify as male or female.

Terms used by some people who experience their gender identity and/or gender expression as falling outside the categories of man and woman. They may define their gender as falling somewhere in between man and woman, or they may define it as wholly different from these terms. The term is not a synonym for transgender or transsexual and should only be used if someone self-identifies as non-binary and/or genderqueer.

Describes people who self-identify as lesbian or gay in their personal, public and/or professional lives. Also openly lesbian, openly bisexual, openly transgender.

The act of publicly declaring (sometimes based on rumor and/or speculation) or revealing another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that person’s consent. Considered inappropriate by a large portion of the LGBT community.

not limited in sexual/romantic choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity.

someone who is sexually/romantically attracted to multiple but not all genders.

A relationship configuration in which someone has multiple consensual relationships.

An adjective used by some people whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual (i.e. queer person, queer woman). Typically, for those who identify as queer, the terms lesbian, gay, and bisexual are perceived to be too limiting and/or fraught with cultural connotations they feel don’t apply to them. Some people may use queer, or more commonly genderqueer, to describe their gender identity and/or gender expression (see non-binary and/or genderqueer below). Once considered a pejorative term, queer has been reclaimed by some LGBT people to describe themselves; however, it is not a universally accepted term even within the LGBT community. When Q is seen at the end of LGBT, it typically means queer and, less often, questioning.

The process of considering or exploring one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

The term that describes an individual’s enduring romantic/emotional attraction to members of the same and/or other gender(s). This can include: hetero-romantic, homo-romantic, bi-romantic, pan-romantic, etc…

The scientifically accurate term for an individual’s enduring physical attraction to members of the same and/or other gender(s), including lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual (straight) orientations. Avoid the offensive term “sexual preference,” which is used to suggest that being gay or lesbian is voluntary and therefore “curable.”

Refers to an individual’s sexual activities or actions (what a person does sexually). Though often an individual’s sexual orientation is in line with their sexual behavior, it is not always the case.

An all inclusive, politically oriented term referring to individuals who identify with a minority sexual orientation, sex identity, or gender expression/gender identity.

(see Offensive Terms to Avoid) This term refers to an individual’s choice in regards to attraction. Sexual preference can be based on gender/sex, physical appearance (height, weight, race, ethnicity), or emotional connection. It is important to note that sexual preference denotes a “choice” and has a negative connotation when used to describe the LGBTQ population.

Refers to doctor-supervised surgical interventions, and is only one small part of transition (see transition above). Avoid the phrase “sex change operation.” Do not refer to someone as being “pre-op” or “post-op.” Not all transgender people choose to, or can afford to, undergo medical surgeries. Journalists should avoid overemphasizing the role of surgeries in the transition process.

Historically used to selectively persecute gay people, the state laws often referred to as “sodomy laws” were ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas (2003). “Sodomy” should never be used to describe same-sex relationships or sexual orientation.

Pop culture term used to refer to individuals who identify as a heterosexual, meaning having a sexual, emotional, physical and relational attraction to individuals of the “opposite” gender/sex. The term “straight” often has a negative connotation within the LGBTQ population, because it suggested that non heterosexual individuals are “crooked” or “unnatural”.

is a term that refers to a non-sexual crush on someone.

Used as shorthand to mean transgender or transsexual – or sometimes to be inclusive of a wide variety of identities under the transgender umbrella. Because its meaning is not precise or widely understood, be careful when using it with audiences who may not understand what it means. Avoid unless used in a direct quote or in cases where you can clearly explain the term’s meaning in the context of your story.

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated with the gender they were assigned at birth. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms – including transgender. Some of those terms are defined below. Use the descriptive term preferred by the person. Many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. Some undergo surgery as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps, and a transgender identity is not dependent upon physical appearance or medical procedures.

• AMAB / DMAB – Assigned Male at Birth / Designated Male at Birth
• AFAB / DFAB – Assigned Female at Birth / Designated Female at Birth
  • Please be careful about the use of these terms in your description of people as some folks are uncomfortable revealing their gender assignment.
• MTF – Male to Female. Someone who was assigned male at birth who transitioned to female.
• FTM – Female to Male. Someone who was assigned female at birth who transitioned to male.
• Note: Non-binary, genderqueer, demigender, etc… folks can fall within the transgender umbrella.

An older term that originated in the medical and psychological communities. Still preferred by some people who have permanently changed – or seek to change – their bodies through medical interventions, including but not limited to hormones and/or surgeries. Unlike transgender, transsexual is not an umbrella term. Many transgender people do not identify as transsexual and prefer the word transgender. It is best to ask which term a person prefers. If preferred, use as an adjective: transsexual woman or transsexual man

Altering one’s birth sex is not a one-step procedure; it is a complex process that occurs over a long period of time. Transition can include some or all of the following personal, medical, and legal steps: telling one’s family, friends, and co-workers; using a different name and new pronouns; dressing differently; changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) one or more types of surgery. The exact steps involved in transition vary from person to person. Avoid the phrase “sex change”.

A contemporary term that connects today’s experiences of LGBT Native American and American Indian people with the traditions from their cultures.

The most common spelling for gender neutral pronouns. Zie is subjective (replaces he or she) and Hir is possessive and objective (replaces his or her).

Commonly used by communities of color to denote the attraction of women to women.

There is no single LGBTQ lifestyle. LGBTQ people are diverse in the ways they lead their lives. The phrases “gay lifestyle,” “homosexual lifestyle,” and “transgender lifestyle” are used to denigrate LGBTQ people suggesting that their sexual orientation and/or gender identity (see Transgender Glossary of Terms) is a choice and therefore can and should be “cured” (see AP, Reuters, & New York Times Style).

See Intersex

Identifying a same-sex couple as “a homosexual couple,” characterizing their relationship as “a homosexual relationship,” or identifying their intimacy as “homosexual sex” is extremely offensive and should be avoided. These constructions are frequently used by anti-LGBTQ extremists to denigrate LGBTQ people, couples, and relationships. As a rule, try to avoid labeling an activity, emotion, or relationship gay, lesbian, bisexual, or queer unless you would call the same activity, emotion, or relationship “straight” if engaged in by someone of another orientation.

see Gender Affirmation Surgery

The term “sexual preference” is typically used to suggest that being attracted to the same sex is a choice and therefore can and should be “cured.”

An umbrella term, which refers to people who wear the clothing of the “opposite” gender. These individuals can be transgender, transsexual, cross dressers, Drag performers, or individuals who express their gender in a unique way. This term is often thought to be outdated, problematic, and generally offensive, since it was historically used to diagnose medical/mental health disorders.