Living LGBTQ+ Glossary

This glossary was created with the intention to be a supplemental resource for professionals working with LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence in collaboration with the LGBTQ+ community.

Language in the LGBTQ+ community has rich, complex histories that give nuanced and varied meanings to the words we use. Our language is constantly evolving; our hope is that this glossary will constantly evolve as well. If you have suggestions for edits or additions to this glossary, please submit them at the form linked here.

Warning: This glossary includes some words that are considered slurs or otherwise derogatory. These words are indicated with two asterisks before the word (e.g. **term). Additionally, there are words that are not slurs but that we encourage you to use caution before using. These words are indicated with one asterisk before the word (e.g. *term).

We have chosen to include these words so that service providers are aware of them and their meanings in order to aid their understanding and rapport building with LGBTQ+ clients. However, we do not recommend that service providers use slurs or derogatory terms with clients, especially service providers who are not LGBTQ+.

Download the current version of the glossary here. (Coming soon!)

Glossary last updated: November 5, 2025

The quality of having the means or skill to do something. Ability is not permanent, it can fluctuate throughout one’s life, and is another aspect of diversity in our communities. Disabilities do not necessarily limit people unless society imposes assumptions that do not account for the variation in people’s abilities.

A gender identity under the umbrella of nonbinary terms. Some agender individuals experience no gender identity, although some experience this as having a gender identity that is neutral. 

A person that actively aligns and uses their resources to support individuals and communities. Commonly used to refer to someone who is straight and/or cisgender that is committed to the well-being, safety, and legal protection of LGBTQ+ people and actively works to support them. People in the LGBTQ+ community can also be allies to each other across different identities. For example, cisgender queer people can be allies to transgender queer people.

Referring to people who experience sexual attraction and desire for others; the opposite of asexual.

See asexual for more.

The societal expectation that all people experience sexual attraction and desire for others. Allonormativity delegitimizes asexual identities and relationships by treating sexual desire and connection as universal and required for relationships to be “real” (e.g. “consummating” a relationship on the wedding night). Allonormativity also is one of the foundational pieces of compulsory heterosexuality.

See compulsory heterosexuality for more.

A gender expression that consistently has both masculine and feminine elements, or neither (i.e. gender neutral).

Hatred of, discrimination against, or aversion to lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people, people perceived to be LGB, and/or those associated with people who are LGB. Also referred to as homophobia. 

Hatred of, discrimination against, or aversion to transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people, people perceived to be TGNC, and/or those associated with people who are TGNC. Also referred to as transphobia. 

A romantic orientation describing a person who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others. Aromantic people still experience other forms of attraction, such as sexual attraction and may still be in committed relationships not centered on romance.

A sexual orientation describing a person who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others. Asexual people still experience other forms of attraction, such as romantic or emotional attraction, and may still be in committed relationships not centered on sex. This is the “A” sometimes seen in the extended LGBTQ+ acronym: LGBTQIA2S+. 

A term describing a person who was born with a vulva and who may also have other biological indicators of the female sex. This sex assignment is typically based solely off the visual appearance of genitals in an ultrasound or at birth and therefore can be misassigned to intersex infants. Being assigned female at birth (AFAB), does not equate to being a girl/ woman.

A term describing a person who was born with a penis and testicles and who may also have other biological indicators of the male sex. This sex assignment is typically based solely off the visual appearance of genitals in an ultrasound or at birth and therefore can be misassigned to intersex infants. Being assigned male at birth (AMAB), does not equate to being a boy/ man.

An LGBTQ+ man who has facial and/or body hair and a cuddly body. This subculture of gay and bisexual male communities is often defined by an positive attitude towards and sense of comfort with natural masculinity and bodies.

Coined by T. Anansi Wilson, this term refers to folks of Black/African descent and/or from the African diaspora who recognize their queerness and LGBTQ+ identity as a salient identity attached to their Blackness and vice versa.

Read more in ” The Strict Scrutiny of Black and BlaQueer Life“.

 A gender identity in which an individual experiences two or more genders. These can be any two or more genders and can be experienced in many different ways.

Referring to a system where there are only two distinct, sometimes opposite, options. For example, binary code consists of 0s and 1s. In an LGBTQ+ context, binary often refers to the gender binary.

See gender binary for more.

The process of reducing the appearance of breasts by wrapping or compressing the chest using various methods. Binding can be very gender-affirming for many people, however it must be done safely.

Learn more about safe binding here.

A sexual orientation describing a person who is attracted to people of two or more genders, not necessarily their own. Counter to common misconception, bisexuality does include attraction trans people and has throughout bisexual history.

Hatred of and aversion to bisexuality and bisexual people. Common examples of biphobia are believing that bisexuality is unnatural, fake, a phase, or a result of confusion. Despite bisexual people making up the largest percentage of the LGBTQ+ community, biphobia from within the LGBTQ+ community is a significant issue that isolates bisexual people from the rest of the community.

(pronounced “boy”) A slang term within LGBTQ+ community and butch and femme communities to describe a person’s sexual or gender identity. The term has also been used as an alternate spelling for boy.

A person who identifies as masculine, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Though butch is term used across the LGBTQ+ community, there is a historical significance for butch identities and expression in the lesbian community. Sometimes used as a derogatory term for lesbians and/or gender non-conforming women, it is also claimed as affirmative identity label.

An adjective used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth in ways we might traditionally or stereotypically expect. “Cis” means “same” in Latin. 

The societal expectation that all people are cisgender until stated otherwise. Cisnormativity assumes that being cisgender is universal and “normal”, so being transgender is treated as abnormal and rare. Cisnormativity also exists in standards of beauty and gender expression- falsely assuming that all transgender people are “visibly trans” and that all trans people want to look cisgender, or “pass”.

The process through which a person acknowledges and explains their SOGIE to themselves and others. Often incorrectly thought of to be a one-time event, coming out is a lifelong ongoing process.

A term coined by Adrienne Rich, compulsory heterosexuality, often shortened to “comphet”, is the theory that heterosexuality is assumed and enforced upon the self and others through patriarchal, allonormative, and heteronormative values instilled by society and culture. Comphet centers on the false belief that women, specifically, have an innate preference for romantic and sexual relationships with men. As a result, it delegitimizes queer identities and relationships while perpetuating homophobia and legal inequity for the LGBTQ+ community.

See patriarchy, allonormativity, heteronormativity, and homophobia for more.

Also known as “reparative therapy,” conversion therapy is a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s SOGIE in order to align with heterocentrist and ciscentrist expectations. These practices are unlawful in many jurisdictions, extremely harmful, and have been rejected by every mainstream medical and mental health organization. 

An individual who dresses in the “opposite” gender clothing for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to: gender expression, performance, or sexual pleasure. Crossdressing is not indicative of sexual orientation. This term is most commonly used as a slur against gender non-conforming people, trans people, and drag artists; as such, this term may be reclaimed and used to self-describe by these groups.

The name that a transgender person no longer uses, typically the name given at birth. Deadnaming, whether intentional or not, is considered offensive and hurtful.

See lived name for more.

A romantic orientation that describes a person who may only develop romantic attraction towards another person once they have formed a meaningful emotional bond. A person of any gender can be demiromantic and being demiromantic is not associated with being attracted to a particular gender/s. Demiromanticism is part of the aromantic spectrum.

A sexual orientation that describes a person who may only develop sexual attraction towards another person once they have formed a meaningful emotional bond. A person of any gender can be demisexual and being demisexual is not associated with being attracted to a particular gender/s. Demisexuality is part of the asexual spectrum.

An entertainer who uses a highly elevated, exaggerated performance of gender as a core element of their act. Drag queens perform an exaggeration of femininity and drag kings perform an exaggeration of masculinity. Drag performers can be cisgender or transgender and can be any gender, regardless of the gender they are performing.

Derogatory term primarily used to target lesbian women, as well as queer women, AFAB people, and people assumed to be women- especially those who are gender non-conforming or otherwise are perceived to be gay. The term has been reclaimed, particularly in the lesbian community, and should only be used to self identify or to refer to the way an individual has identified themselves. While some believe it to only describe masculine lesbians, many sapphic women and gender-expansive people connect to the reclamation of this term term regardless of gender expression.

A social construct that divides people into smaller social groups based on characteristics such as shared sense of group membership, values, behavioral patterns, language, political and economic interests, history and ancestral geographical base.

A gender-affirming surgical procedure of altering the shape and structure of the face in order to “feminize” facial features. FFS can include reducing and softening the jaw, brow bone, and Adam’s apple; slimming the nose; elevating the eyebrows; and augmenting the cheeks and lips. While FFS reduces gender dysphoria in the transgender women and transfeminine individuals who pursue it, not all trans women and transfeminine people have access to or even want FFS as part of their transition.

Derogatory term primarily used to target gay men, as well as queer men, AMAB people, and people assumed to be men- especially those who are gender-non conforming or otherwise perceived to be gay. This term has been reclaimed, particularly in gay men’s communities, and should be used only to self-identify or refer to the way an individual has identified themselves. While some believe it to only describe feminine men, this word’s meaning and representation is continually shifting.

A gender expression term used to describe the socially constructed and culturally specific gender expression (behaviors, dress, etc.) expected of women. People of all genders can be feminine.

Distinct from “fem” as an abbreviation for feminine, femme is an identity category referring to sapphic people of any gender identity that express femininity in ways that disrupt cisnormative and heteronormative stereotypes of femininity by virtue of the fact that their femininity is expressed as part of an indication of their attraction to women. While femme has historical significance within the lesbian community, femme is not an exclusive term to lesbian women. Additionally, historically, there is a political expectation that femmes will defend and protect butches by using the privilege they are afforded through their (more) gender-conforming gender expression (compared to butches).

A term referring to a transgender person who was assigned female at birth and is in the process of transitioning into, or has transitioned into, manhood (i.e. a transgender man). This terminology places the emphasis on the body and genitalia, specifically, so it is not recommended to use this term in place of transgender man. However, this term, and the related term “MtF/ Male to Female”, are sometimes used within the transgender community so transgender people should not be policed when using it.

1. A sexual orientation term used to describe men who are attracted to other men.
2. A broad term to describe any person of the LGBTQ+ community (e.g. “gay pride”).

Any form of care, including mental and physical healthcare, that a transgender or gender non-conforming (TGNC) person may access as a part of their transition to support and affirm their safety, wellbeing, and holistic identity.

The idea that gender is strictly an either/or option of men who are masculine, or women who are feminine, based on the sex they were assigned at birth, rather than a continuum or spectrum of identities and expressions. The gender binary creates expectations, or gender roles, for everyone about how they should behave, what to wear, who they should be attracted to, etc. 

A adjective to describe a person whose gender expression is perceived as being consistent with cultural norms expected for that gender identity. For example, according to these norms, boys/men are or should be masculine, and girls/women should be feminine. 

1. The discomfort and distress a person may experience when their gender identity is not congruent with their sex assigned at birth. Feelings of gender dysphoria are often based in the way that a person is perceived and treated by others and their desire to be seen and treated as a different gender. Gender dysphoria can range from a sense of mild discomfort to severe distress, and is associated eating disorders, anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidality. Importantly, not all transgender and nonbinary people experience gender dysphoria in the same way or to the same degree.
2. The formal diagnosis in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition (DSM V), used by psychologists and physicians to indicate that a person meets the diagnostic criteria to engage in medical transition. In other words, the medical diagnosis for being transgender. This was previously referred to Gender Identity Disorder (GID), which is now considered outdated. The inclusion of Gender Dysphoria as a diagnosis in the DSM V is contentious because it implies that being transgender is a mental illness and upholds a medicalized gatekeeping model. On the other hand, since a formal diagnosis is generally required to receive or provide treatment in the US, it does provide access to gender affirming care for some people who might not otherwise be eligible to receive it.

A person’s gender presentation, comprised of things such as personal style, clothing, hairstyle, makeup (or no makeup), jewelry, vocal inflection, and body language. All people express gender(s) and it is not an indicator of sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex assigned at birth. 

An individual whose gender identity fluctuates. People who are gender fluid may not operate within socially and culturally expected gender roles. 

One’s internal sense of being a man/boy, woman/girl, neither of these, both, or other/additional gender(s). All people have a gender identity. 

An adjective that describes something (e.g. a space, such as a bathroom, or an item, such as a piece of clothing) that is inclusive of all genders. Words can also be gender neutral instead of gender specific (e.g. partner/date vs. boy/girlfriend). 

An adjective to describe a gender expression which exists outside of the cultural norms of that person’s gender identity. For example, a woman/girl whose gender expression is not feminine might describe themselves as gender nonconforming. 

Culturally or socially determined sets of attitudes and behaviors that are expected of an individual based on their sex assigned at birth and/or gender identity, and/or perceived sex assigned at birth or gender identity. 

Formerly known as “Gay-Straight Alliances”, GSAs are student-run organizations that unite LGBTQ+ and allied youth to build community and organize around issues impacting them in their schools and communities. GSAs have evolved beyond their traditional role to serve as safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth in middle schools and high schools, and have emerged as vehicles for deep social change related to racial, gender, and educational justice. 

A gender identity term used to describe an individual whose gender exists outside of or beyond the binary of man/boy or woman/girl. The use of the term “queer” also implies a political rebellion against conventional expectations of gender identity and expression.

A term for gender expression referring to having characteristics that do not conform to the expectations of society and culture. This may also be referred to as gender nonconforming, gender creative, or gender expansive. 

This is an umbrella term which describes people on the asexual spectrum who experience attraction occasionally, rarely, or only under certain conditions.

Term in the Cheyenne tribe meaning “born male but has the heart and soul of a woman.” He’emaneh historically have often been doctors, spiritual leaders, and matchmakers. He’emaneh have also been known to be accomplished at hide tanning, lodge making, sewing, and embroidery. Through colonization, he’emaneh have been persecuted, erased, and forced to assimilate, but the Cheyenne people live on and Cheyenne LGBTQ+ people continue the history of the he’emaneh.

Learn more about he’emaneh and the Cheyenne people here.

An out-of-date and offensive term for an intersex person.

See intersex for more.

The dominant notion that everyone is, and should be, heterosexual and that heterosexuality is the natural and right way to experience attraction/ sexual orientation. 

Specifically describes either men who exclusively feel romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to a woman and women who exclusively feel romantic, emotional, and sexual attraction to men. Also referred to as straight.

Similar to heterosexism, heteronormativity is based in the belief that heterosexuality is the “natural” sexual orientation for all people, which also relies on the cissexist idea that people can only be cisgender men or women. Heteronormativity refers to the practices, cultural norms, and policies/ laws that reify the strict gender roles associated with heterosexuality. Some examples include: at a restaurant, giving the check to the man or more masculine appearing person in a couple; believing that even in a same-gender relationship, one person is “the man” or “wears the pants”; students in school not being allowed to take a same-gender date to school dances.

Feeling attraction to a person(s) of the same gender with which one identifies. Although some individuals may identify with this term, it is now a dated term that has negative connotations, is often considered clinical, and/or derogatory. Because of the clinical history of the word “homosexual,” it is aggressively used by anti-LGBTQ activists to suggest that people attracted to the same sex are somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered – notions discredited by the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association in the 1970s. Best practice is to avoid using “homosexual” except in direct quotes and to avoid using “homosexual” as a style variation simply to avoid repeated use of the word “gay.” Many mainstream news outlets’ style guides restrict use of the term “homosexual.”

The fear, prejudice, and discrimination against members of the LGBTQ+ community. Historical this term was specifically used against those perceived to be attracted to the same gender however, it has evolved to be an umbrella term used against the LGBTQ+ community more widely. It manifests in various ways, including verbal abuse, physical violence, denial of rights, and social exclusion. Homophobia not only affects individuals within the LGBTQIA+ community but also has broader social implications, contributing to the marginalization and invisibility of queer voices in society.

What, how, and who one knows oneself to be; a multi-faceted component of self that may evolve throughout one’s life span. 

A term coined by Theo Jean Cuthand (Plains Cree) in 2004 to celebrate one’s sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, and indigineity. This is a pan-Indigenous term that people from all Indigenous backgrounds can use. This is not interchangeable with Two-Spirit.

Read about Cuthand’s work here.

The suppression of an LGBTQ+ person’s SOGIE to themself and/or others which could be by choice, due to erasure, and/or due to fear of bias. Remaining “closeted” can cause isolation and disempowerment. LGBTQ+ people may be “out” in certain spaces and/or with certain parts of their identity, and closeted in others. 

A term coined by lawyer and scholar of feminism and critical race theory, Kimberle Crenshaw, in her 1989 publication “ Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics,” specifically as a means to describe the discrimination that Black women face as both racist and sexist at the same time, not one or the other.

Applied more largely, intersectionality examines how multiple forms of discrimination and systematic social inequities impact people in complex ways dependent on our various identities including but not limited to race, class, ability, and SOGIE.

Read “Demarginalizing the Intersection of Race and Sex: A Black Feminist Critique of Antidiscrimination Doctrine, Feminist Theory and Antiracist Politics” here.

A term that describes variations that the medical community decided is not standard to be defined as “male” or “female” due to chromosomal, hormonal, internal reproductive organs, and/or external genitalia.

People who are intersex used to be referred to as “hermaphrodite”, however, that term is dated and derogatory.

Learn more about intersex people here.

Developed by Alfred Kinsey in the 1940s, the Kinsey Scale was an innovative tool used for measuring sexual attraction and behavior along a continuum. Instead of assigning people to two binary categories—heterosexual and homosexual—Kinsey used a spectrum ranging from 0 (exclusively heterosexual) to 6 (exclusively homosexual). The Kinsey Scale was an early defiance of heteronormativity and binary thinking by recognizing and validating varying sexual attractions and behaviors.

Latine is a non-gender specific way of referring to people of Latin American descent. The term Latine, unlike terms such as Latino/a, does not assume a gender binary and includes non-binary folks. Both Latine and Latinx are still used, though most folks lean towards using Latine. In response to the difficulty that Spanish speaking people have with using Latinx, “Latine” was created. Latine can be conjugated and pronounced with more ease.

A community which encompasses those who enjoy leather, often as part of sexual activities, including leather uniforms or cowboy outfits. The leather community related to similar fetish-based communities such as sado-masochism, bondage and domination, and rubber. The leather community has deep roots in gay history, reaching back to the 1940s among gay World War II soldiers. The leather aesthetic was popularized by artists like Tom of Finland who created erotic illustrations of muscular men in tight leather clothing, emphasizing traits of masculinity through a gay lens. Although the leather community is often associated with gay and bisexual men, lesbians have also been notable in the leather community as seen with the motorcycle club “Dykes on Bikes” (since 1979) and the International Ms. Leather Competition (since 1987). Overall, numerous members of the LGBTQ+ community enjoy leather and exist in both worlds.

Learn more about the history of the leather community here.

A term typically used by women who are attracted to other women. Lesbian is not an term exclusive to women, as nonbinary lesbians are a vital part of lesbian history and community. The term is also used amongst nonbinary people, and can overall express a pointed lack of attraction to men.

An acronym commonly used to refer to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Questioning people, and the community at large (as in “LGBTQ+ community”). The “+” denotes the many identities within the community including but not limited to Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, and many more.

A name (often a first name) that someone uses that differs from their legal name. There are many reasons someone may have a lived name that differs from their legal name. Some trans and nonbinary people may use a lived name to affirm their gender identity. “Preferred name” has also been used, however it has been largely replaced by lived name. “Preferred name” suggests that using someone’s lived name is optional, which can lead to deadnaming.

See deadname for more.

In Hawaiian or Kanaka Maoli culture, gender is not a binary concept. Kānaka Maoli acknowledged those who did not simply identify as male or female. The third gender is the māhū, or “the in-between.” This Hawaiian term is used to characterize someone who embodies both kāne (male) and wahine (female) spirit. Many other Pacific Islander cultures share this understanding of a third gender.

While, in origin, māhū is not a derogatory term; post-colonization, this term has been used as a pejorative to refer to people who are LGBTQ+, or assumed to be LGBTQ+.

Learn more about māhū here.

A term referring to a “male-to-female” transgender individual, meaning a transgender woman. This term is sometimes used within community, but providers/ allies should avoid using this as it is outdated and can be offensive. The term “male-to-female” implies a medical alteration to one’s genitals which is not representative of the entire trans experience.

See AFAB and AMAB for more.

A term used to describe the socially constructed and culturally specific gender behaviors expected of men. Masculinity can be embodied and subverted by people of all genders.

A metamour is the partner of your partner; someone who you generally don’t have a sexual or romantic relationship with directly (although not always). A coinage by the non-monogamous community that works to expand possibility. The term is a portmanteau of the Greek prefix “meta” (meaning “beyond”) and the French word “amour” (meaning “love”).

To refer to another person using the incorrect pronouns and/or name with which they do not use. This could be done intentionally to cause emotional and psychological harm, unintentionally because of assumptions, or accidentally mis-stepping. 

An English gender neutral honorific. It was developed as an alternative to gendered honorifics (such as Mr. and Ms.) in the late 1970s and is commonly used by non-binary individuals and those who do not wish to imply a gender in their titles.

Coined by activist Kassiane Asasumasu, neurodivergent, sometimes abbreviated as ND, is an umbrella term for any person whose neurocognition differs from societal expectations (e.g. a person with autism, dyslexia, or epilepsy).

Though some studies show higher rates of neurodivergence within the LGBTQ+ community, being LGBTQ+ is not a neurocognitive condition, disorder, or disability.

A gender identity term used to describe people who understand their gender to exist outside of the gender binary. Some folks who are nonbinary consider themselves to be transgender, other people do not. 

Institutional and systemic devaluing, undermining, marginalizing, and disadvantaging of certain social identities in contrast to the privileged norm; when some people are denied something of value, while others have ready access. Oppression involves the use of power by one or more groups against another to push down, take advantage of, and use systems to make themselves the most powerful and well-off group in a society. Often, this use of power is covered up and is explained as “just the way things are.” 

Openly acknowledging and disclosing one’s LGBTQ+ SOGIE. This may be partial – that is, out to some people and not to others, or in specific settings. Sometimes referred to as being “out of the closet” in reference to “coming out.” 

See coming out and in the closet for more.

When someone else accidentally or deliberately reveals another person’s LGBTQ+ SOGIE, usually without consent. LGBTQ+ people are entitled to confidentiality around their SOGIE and self-determination in disclosure. Outing any LGBTQ+ person without their knowledge and consent can be dangerous and cause irreparable harm. 

A tool for gender expression and gender euphoria- as well as helpful in drag, costuming, and for those who are exploring different body and gender experiences. There are many reasons for a person to be interested in packing.

See packing for more.

The process through which one uses prosthetics to add heft to their genital area or to simulate the experience of having a penis. Packing historically has had many uses, including drag, theatrical, costuming, and gender confirmation and euphoria. Many types of tools can be used to achieve this, which can create different kinds of packing experiences.

A sexual orientation characterized by the potential to experience attraction to a person regardless of gender identity. Though similar to bisexuality, the difference between bisexuality and pansexuality is nuanced and meaningful to both respective communities.

A term for transgender people that refers to being perceived as cisgender, or “passing” for cisgender. Passing is not inherently good or bad. It can be an affirming experience for some people, and a stressful, negative source of pressure for others. Not all trans people aspire to pass and it should not be assumed that all trans people are trying to pass.

While this term is most often used by the trans community, this term is also used in the LGBTQ+ community largely to refer to “passing” as cisgender and/or heterosexual.

In this context, events and programs in celebration of the ongoing fight for recognition and visibility of LGBTQ+ people. Typically celebrated in June, Pride events can be an opportunity to increase feelings of community connectedness. 

A pronoun is a word that takes the place of a noun, including proper nouns such as people’s names. Common pronouns for people include she/her/hers, he/him/his, and they/them/theirs. Pronouns are not specific to a person’s gender identity or expression; A person’s pronouns may change, they may use multiple sets of pronouns, or they may not use any pronouns and simply use their name.

A relationship structure wherein partners are consensually in or open to being in multiple loving relationships at the same time. Some polyamorists (polyamorous people) consider “polyam” to be a relationship orientation. Sometimes used as an umbrella term for all forms of ethical, consensual, and loving non-monogamy.

A term for a relationship structure that consists of multiple people who are, in some way, connected emotionally, sexually, or romantically with at least one other person within the polycule; Not every person in a polycule is necessarily in a romantic and/or sexual relationship with all other members of the polycule.

An acronym that stands for “Queer Trans People of Color,” or “Queer Trans Black Indigenous People of Color.” Often used to discuss the ways in which intersectional identities can result in multifaceted systems and experiences of isolation.

A self-identification, sometimes used as an umbrella term, that indicates not fitting cultural norms around SOGIE. Historically, this was a derogatory term used to refer to LGBTQ+ people. It is now a term of empowerment that some LGBTQ+ people are reclaiming and embracing, making it an in-group/out-group word. 

A person who is exploring or questioning one or more aspects of their SOGIE.

According to Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A Sourcebook,  race is “a social construct that divides people into distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance, ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation, cultural history, ethnic classification, based on the social, economic, and political context of a society at a given period of time.”

Read more about Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A Sourcebook here.

The systematic subordination of people from marginalized racial groups based on their physical appearance, ethnic or ancestral history, or cultural affiliation. Racism is considered a deeply pervasive, systemic issue perpetuated by members of the privileged racial group holding dominant social power over others. Discrimination, prejudice, or xenophobia may be more accurate terms for describing individual acts of oppression. While these individual acts likely stem from systemic racism, at the individual level the power dynamics that enable racism are not at play in the same way.

A term used by some African-American individuals to describe their sexual orientation, as a result of the perception that “gay” and “lesbian” are primarily white terms. “Same-sex loving” is also in use.

Used to describe any female-identifying person who is attracted to other female-identifying people. This broad term includes lesbians, bisexuals, omnisexuals, pansexuals, romantic asexuals, and other orientations, as well as nonbinary folks. Often sapphic is used as a more inclusive term instead of “women who like women (WLW)” or lesbian.

Referring to the sex assigned to an infant in an ultrasound or at the time of birth by a doctor by looking at the infant’s or fetus’s genitals. In the United States, individuals are most often assigned “female” or “male” sex at birth.

However, sex also includes chromosomes, hormones, and secondary sex characteristics- which are often not viewed or visible during pregnancy or birth. This leads to many intersex people being assigned an inaccurate sex.

See intersex  for more.

The dominant, historical notion that cisgender men/boys, or those perceived to be, are superior and therefore afforded privileges not inherently afforded to those who are not men. 

The physical, intimate acts one may engage in. This is distinct from sexual orientation.

See sexual orientation  for more.

Describes emotional, romantic, and physical feelings of attraction – usually over a period of time; it is distinct from sexual behavior. Some people do not experience primary attraction to anyone. There are many different terms used to describe one’s sexual orientation including but not limited to: straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, questioning, and asexual. All people have a sexual orientation. 

An initialism that stands for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression. This also typically includes Sex Assigned at Birth as well, though it is not reflected in the initialism.

See Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression,  and Sex for more.

A range or sliding scale. Aspects of one’s identity like sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression exist on a spectrum, or outside of it. For example, with sexual orientation, the attraction to men, women, or someone of another gender all exist on separate spectrums. Someone might feel a little attracted to men, very much attracted to women, and moderate attraction to people outside this binary.

The phrase “on the spectrum” is more commonly used to refer to identifying on the autism spectrum rather than sexuality or gender.

Describes a transgender person’s decision to keep their sex assigned at birth confidential. Also referred to as “going stealth” or “living in stealth mode.” This is an ingroup/out-group word. 

Describes an androgynous AFAB Black American person. This term is the combination of “femme” and “stud”.

See femme  and stud for more.

Refers to an Black American masculine queer woman or nonbinary person.

A reconstructive surgery performed on the chest to alter its size, shape, and overall appearance, often for individuals seeking to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

A derogatory or offensive word used to refer to transgender individuals, especially trans women. This slur is typically used to demean, dehumanize, or marginalize transgender people and are often based on outdated or inaccurate stereotypes about gender identity. This term perpetuates discrimination, prejudice, and violence against transgender individuals and is considered highly disrespectful and harmful within the LGBTQIA+ community. Some trans people have reclaimed the term however, and it should only be used by the trans community if they desire to.

An adjective used to describe a person whose sex assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity along the SOGIE binaries in a way society might not traditionally expect (e.g. a person assigned female at birth whose gender identity is man). Identifying as transgender, or trans for short, means that one’s internal knowledge of gender is different from conventional or cultural expectations based on the sex that person was assigned at birth. While transgender may refer to a woman who was assigned male at birth or a man who was assigned female at birth, transgender is an umbrella term that can also describe someone who identifies as a gender other than woman or man, such as non binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, no gender or multiple genders, or some other gender identity.

See SOGIE  and nonbinary for more.

A term used to describe an AMAB person or intersex person, who identifies with and expresses femininity in some way that is subversive to the gender expression associated with being assigned male.

Transfem is not interchangeable with trans woman- many nonbinary people describe themselves as transfem.

See AMAB  for more.

A term used to describe an AFAB person or intersex person, who identifies with and expresses masculinity in some way that is subversive to the gender expression associated with being assigned female.

Transmasc is not interchangeable with trans man- many nonbinary people describe themselves as transmasc.

See AFAB  for more.

When people have deeply rooted negative beliefs about what it means to be transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming. Their beliefs affect the way they, the government, organizations, the media, and society generally treat people whose identities don’t fit into typical gender roles. Transphobia results in policies that take away the rights and safety of trans and nonbinary children, teens, and adults. This results in discrimination, harassment, and sometimes violence against people who are not cisgender.

See cissexism  for more.

While this term refers to trans people who have transitioned their sex through hormones and/or surgery, this term is usually perceived to be an outdated or offensive term that brings unnecessary attention to the genitals of a transgender person. While some in the trans community have reclaimed transsexual, service providers and people who are not trans should not use this term. Instead, “transgender”, “trans man”, and “trans woman” should be used as applicable.

See  transgender for more.

A transgender person’s process of aligning their gender expression with their gender identity. Transition can include but is not limited to: coming out to one’s family, friends, and/or providers; use of a different name and pronouns; socially and/or legally transitioning. Some transgender people may also access gender affirming care, which may include hormones and/or surgery. However, not all transgender people can or do undergo medical transition. Transitioning looks different for all people.

A term used to describe a man who was assigned female at birth.

A term used to describe a woman who was assigned male at birth.

A technique used to bind and minimize the appearance of the testicles and penis, often used by trans feminine people or drag performers. Performed to relieve dysphoria, avoid misgendering, and/or for simple aesthetic reasons.

Native North American identity that describes a person who identifies as having both a masculine and feminine spirit. It is an umbrella term used by some Indigenous people as a way to describe their sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity.

People who are born outside of the country to which they immigrated, who do not have documentation that grants legal rights related to residency and/or citizenship.

Some lesbians, particularly butch dykes, also participate in Bear culture referring to themselves with the distinct label Ursula.

See bear , butch, and  dyke for more.

(Wink-kuh-tay), a Lakota word to describe people who may be assigned male at birth, have feminine mannerisms, and fulfill roles traditionally expected of women in their communities. But these identities are also deeper than purely terms for gender or sexuality. This term, and other similar or related terms, reflect a much more holistic approach to identity- encompassing gender, sexuality, spirituality, and a community role all together in a way that is inextricable. ​