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| Definitions | Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions
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and Flags
Historical Perspective
Sayings and Quotations
Slang
Terminology
Glossary of LGBTQ
Terms
Advocate –
Person who actively works to end intolerance, educate
others, and support social equity for a marginalized
group. To actively support or plead in favor of a
particular cause, the action of working to end
intolerance and educate others.
AIDS|HIV -
Human Immunodeficiency Virus, if left untreated, slowly
damages the body's immune system. Without a strong,
healthy immune system, the body becomes susceptible to
many infections and illnesses. If a person living with
HIV becomes sick with a serious infection or illness,
they are said to have Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
(AIDS).
AFAB|AMAB - Assigned Female at Birth|Assigned Male at
Birth. Refers to a person's medical assignment, physical
features, biological elements, and anatomical
manifestations regarding sex.
Agender -
Literally means "without gender" or "non-gender." It is
a non-binary gender identity or a statement of not
having a gender identity. Genderless, lacking gender,
gender neutral, unknown or undefinable gender.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: Frequently Asked Questions
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
LGBTQ Glossary
Ally – Person, typically straight
(heterosexual) or cis-identified, who personally
respects and actively supports members of the LGBTQ
community.
Androgyny|Androgynous – Gender expression that has
elements of both masculinity and femininity.
Occasionally used in place of "intersex" to describe a
person with both female and male anatomy. Slang: Andro.
Androsexual|Androphilic – Attraction to men, males, and
masculinity
Aromantic – Person who experiences little or no romantic
attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in
forming romantic relationships. Slang: Aro.
Asexual – Having a lack of (or low level of) sexual
attraction to others. Having a lack of interest or desire
for sex or sexual partners. Asexuality exists on a
spectrum from people who experience no sexual attraction
or have any desire for sex to those who experience low
levels and only after significant amounts of time.
Slang: Ace.
BDSM – Initialism used as an umbrella term to describe a
variety of erotic practices involving dominance and
submission, role-playing, restraint, and other "kinky"
interpersonal dynamics. It is sometimes referred to as
kink sexual identity or lifestyle. The term BDSM derives
from joining the term B&D (bondage and discipline) with
S&M (sadomasochism or sadism and masochism), or as a
compound initialism from B&D, D&S (dominance and
submission), and S&M.
Bears - Subculture of gay/bisexual males who present a
hypermasculine image. They are described as having hairy
bodies and facial hair. They can be burly, hefty,
stocky, husky, rustic, natural, heavy-set, muscular, or
chubby.
Bigender – Person who fluctuates between traditionally
"woman" and "man" gender-based behavior and identities,
identifying with both genders (and sometimes a third
gender).
Bicurious – Curiosity about having attraction to people
of the same gender or sex. Also describes a person who
is questioning or exploring their sexuality.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: Frequently Asked Questions
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
LGBTQ Glossary
Biological Sex – Medical term used to refer to
the chromosomal, hormonal, and anatomical characteristics
that are used to classify (identify) an individual as female or
male or intersex. Physical elements
manifest through organs and genitals. Sex assigned or designated
at birth.
Biphobia|Biphobic – Range of negative attitudes (fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, erasure, discomfort) that one may have
or express towards bisexual
individuals. Biphobia can come from and be seen within
the queer community as well as straight society.
Biphobic is a word used to describe an individual
who harbors some elements of this range of negative
attitudes towards bisexual people.
Bisexual|Bisexuality – Person emotionally, physically,
and/or sexually attracted to both male/men and
females/women. Term used to indicate a sexual
orientation that expresses interest in both male/men and
female/women. Slang: Bi.
Bottom - Submissive person involved in a sexual act.
Receiver, catcher.
Bottom Surgery - Term refers to Sex Reassignment Surgery
involving genital reconstruction.
Butch – Person who identifies themselves as masculine
(manly, boyish, macho, hard, aggressive),
whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally.
Sometimes used as a derogatory term for
lesbians, but is also be claimed as an affirmative
identity label. Also: Stud, Boi, Dyke.
Cisgender – Person whose
gender identity and biological sex (assigned at birth)
align. Person who is not transgender is cisgender.
Slang: Cis.
Cisnormativity – Assumption, in individuals or in
institutions, that everyone is cisgender, and that
cisgender identities are superior to transgender identities
or people. Leads to invisibility and marginalization of non-cisgender
identities.
Cissexism - Focus on norms that enforce the gender
binary and gender essentialism, resulting in the
oppression of gender variant, non-binary, and
transgender identities. Cissexism is also termed cisgenderism, cisnormativity or
cissexual assumption, occasionally used synonymously
with transphobia.
Closeted – Individuals who are not open to
themselves or others about their sexuality or
gender identity. This may be by choice and/or for other
reasons such as fear for one’s safety, peer or family
rejection or disapproval and/or loss of housing or job.
Also known as being "in the closet." When someone
chooses to break this silence they "come out" of the
closet.
Coming Out – Process by which one accepts and/or
comes to identify one’s own sexuality or gender identity
(to come out to oneself). Process by which one
shares one’s sexuality or gender identity with others
(to come out to friends, family, co-workers).
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: Outdated LGBTQ Terminology
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Constellation – Arrangement or structure of a polyamorous relationship.
Sometimes referred to as a tribe, triad, thrupple, or
quad.
Cross-Dresser – Someone who wears clothes of
another gender/sex. Same as Transvestite.
Deadnaming -
Act
of referring to a transgender person's birth name
instead of their chosen name. Practice of
uttering or publishing the name that a transgender
person used prior to transition.
Demisexual – Individual who does not experience
sexual attraction unless they have formed a strong
emotional connection with another individual. Often
within a romantic relationship.
Down Low (DL) - Term used to refer to men who maintain a
heterosexual identity and lifestyle in their daily
lives, but engage in same-sex intercourse as a secret
part of their lives.
Drag (Drag
Queen, Drag King, Drag Performer, Transvestite) - Refers to people
who dress in clothing and make-up that is opposite their
gender for the purpose of entertainment or theatrical
performance in events such as
parades or pageants. The performance is typically campy,
exaggerated, and intentionally dramatic and flamboyant.
Dyke – Term referring to a masculine presenting
(butch) lesbian. While often used derogatorily, it can is
adopted affirmatively by many lesbians (and not
necessarily masculine ones) as a positive self-identity
term.
Emotional|Spiritual Attraction – Affinity to engage in
empathetic (interdependent) intimate behavior (sharing, confiding, trusting,
loving) with another person.
Endosex - Opposite of intersex. It means that a person
has innate physical sex characteristics (anatomy,
chromosomes, genitals) that match what is expected for
female or male bodies. Also: dyadic.
Fag|Faggot - Derogatory term referring to a
gay person, or someone perceived as queer. Occasionally
used as an self-identifying affirming term by some gay
men.
Feminine Presenting|Masculine Presenting – Way to
describe someone who expresses gender in a more feminine
or masculine way, for example in their hair style,
demeanor, clothing choice, or style.
Info: LGBTQ History
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
LGBTQ Glossary
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Femme – Someone who identifies as feminine (womanly,
ladylike, girlish, effeminate, soft,
tender) whether physically, mentally or emotionally. Often
used to refer to a feminine-presenting queer woman.
Fluid|Fluidity - Describes an identity
that may change or shift over time. Identity
described on a continuum or spectrum. Identity
described as between or within the mix of the options
available (man and woman, gay and straight, male and
female). Example of usage: gender-fluid,
fluid-sexuality.
FTM|F2M – Abbreviation for
female-to-male transgender or transsexual person.
Gay – Term used to describe individuals who
are primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually
attracted to members of the same sex and/or gender. More
commonly used when referring to males/men-identified people
who are attracted to males/men-identified people.
Can
be applied to females/women-identified people as well.
Umbrella term used to refer to the queer community as
a whole, or as an individual identity label for anyone
who does not identify as heterosexual.
Gender - Socially constructed collection of traits,
behaviors, and meanings that have been traditionally
attributed to biological differences.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: Outdated LGBTQ Terminology
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Gender Bending - Disrupting or messing with gender
roles. Sometimes a form of social activism undertaken to
destroy rigid gender roles and defy sex-role
stereotypes.
Gender Binary – Idea that there are only two
genders (male/female or man/woman) and that a person
must be strictly identified as one or the other, with no
options in between.
Gender Dysphoria - Discomfort with an assigned sex
and/or gender and/or the gender norms and roles
associated with either.
Gender Expression – External (social) display of one’s
gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social
behavior, and other factors, generally measured on
scales of masculinity and femininity. Also referred to
as "gender presentation."
Gender Fluid – Gender identity
best described as a dynamic mix of boy and girl. Person who is gender fluid may always feel like a mix of
the two traditional genders, but may feel more male/man/masculine some
days, and more female/woman/feminine other days.
Gender Identity – Internal (emotional) perception of an one’s
gender, and how they label themselves, based on how much
they align or don’t align with what they understand
their options for gender to be. Common identity labels
include man, woman, genderqueer, trans, and more.
Gender Neutral Pronouns (GNP) - Alternate pronouns that are gender neutral
and preferred by some transgender or genderqueer people.
Replacing "he" or "she" with "they" or "ze."
Gender Non-Conforming (GNC) –
Someone whose gender
presentation, whether by nature or by choice, does not
align in a predicted fashion with gender-based
expectations.
Gender Normative|Gender Straight – Someone whose
gender presentation, whether by nature or by choice,
aligns with society’s gender-based expectations.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Frequently Asked Questions
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: Outdated LGBTQ Terminology
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
Genderqueer – Gender identity label often used by
people who do not identify with the binary of man/woman.
An umbrella term for many gender non-conforming or
non-binary identities (agender, bigender,
genderfluid, genderflux, gender creative). Genderqueer people may think of themselves
as one or more identities. They may define
gender terms differently. They may combine aspects man and
woman and other identities (bigender, pangender).
They may not
have a gender or identify with a gender
(genderless, agender). they may move between genders (genderfluid).
they may refer to themselves as third gender or other-gender. Genderqueer includes those who do
not place a name to their gender or have an overlap of,
or blurred lines between, gender identity and sexual and
romantic orientation.
Gender Variant– Someone who either by nature or by
choice does not conform to gender-based expectations of
society (transgender, transsexual, intersex,
gender-queer, cross-dresser).
Gynesexual|Gynephilic – Attracted to woman, females, and/or femininity.
Heterocentrism|Heterocentric -Ideology and assumption that all
people are or should be heterosexual and that LGBTQ
people are not important. It is an ongoing disregard for
and dismissal of LGBTQ people.
Heteronormative|Heteronormativity – Assumption, in individuals or
in institutions, that everyone is heterosexual, and that
heterosexuality is superior to all other sexualities.
Leads to invisibility and stigmatizing of other
sexualities. This idea often includes such concepts as gender normativity, gender roles, the assumption
that individuals should identify as men and women, the
rule of masculine men and feminine women, and the idea that
men and women are a complementary pair.
Info: LGBTQ History
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
LGBTQ Glossary
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Heterosexism – Oppressive behavior that grants preferential
treatment to heterosexual people, reinforces the idea
that heterosexuality is somehow better or more "right" than queerness,
and makes other sexualities invisible or marginalized.
Heterosexual|Heterosexuality – Medical/clinical term that describes a person primarily emotionally,
physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the
opposite sex. Also known as straight. Slang: Het.
HIV|AIDS -
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), if left untreated,
slowly damages the body's immune system. Without a
strong, healthy immune system, the body becomes
susceptible to many infections and illnesses. If a
person living with HIV becomes sick with a serious
infection or illness, they are said to have Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
Homophobia|Homophobic – Umbrella term for a range of
oppressive negative attitudes (fear, anger, intolerance,
resentment, hate, erasure, discomfort) that one may have
towards members of LGBTQ community.
Homosexual|Homosexuality – Medical/clinical term used to describe a
person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or
sexually attracted to members of the same sex/gender.
The term is considered stigmatizing due to its history
as a mental illness category, and is discouraged for
common use (use gay or lesbian instead).
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: LGBTQ History
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
CNN: LGBTQ and Other Sexual Identity Terms Explained
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) -
Taking hormones to enable one’s outward appearance to
conform more closely to one’s inner gender identity.
Intersex – Someone whose combination of
chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and
genitals differs from the two expected patterns of male
or female. In the medical care of infants the initialism
DSD (Differing/Disorders of Sex Development). Formerly
known as hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic).
Kink|Kinky - Refers to BDSM lifestyle and a variety of
erotic practices involving dominance and submission, bondage and discipline,
and sadomasochism or sadism and masochism.
Lesbian – Term used to describe women attracted
romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other
women.
Info: LGBTQ Timeline
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: LGBTQ Slang
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
CNN: LGBTQ and Other Sexual Identity Terms Explained
LGBTQ|SOGI|GSM|DSG - Initialisms used as
shorthand or umbrella terms for all folks who have a
non-normative (or queer) gender or sexuality. LGBTQ is
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer. SOGI is
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. GSM is Gender and Sexual Minorities. DSG is
Diverse Genders and Sexualities.
Lipstick Lesbian – Usually refers to a lesbian
with a feminine gender expression. Can be used in a
positive or a derogatory way. Is sometimes also used to
refer to a lesbian who is assumed to be (or passes for)
straight.
Metrosexual – Man with a strong aesthetic
sense who spends more time, energy, or money on his
appearance and grooming than is considered gender
normative.
MSM|WSW – Initialisms for "men who have sex with men"
and "women who have sex with women," to distinguish
sexual behaviors from sexual identities. Just because a man
is straight, it doesn’t mean he’s not having sex with
men. Objective (clinical) term often used in the field of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment.
MTF|M2F – Abbreviation for male-to-female transgender or
transsexual person.
Mx – (Typically pronounced mix)
Title that is gender
neutral, replacing Mr, Ms, Miss, Mrs. It is often the
option of choice for folks who do not identify within
the cisgender binary.
Neutrois -
Term meaning gender neutral.
Non-Binary
- Spectrum of gender identities that are not exclusively
masculine or exclusively feminine. Identities that are
outside the gender binary. Genderqueer, gender
non-conforming, gender fluid.
Omnisexual – Person who experiences sexual,
romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for
members of all gender identities/expressions. Gender
blind. "Omni" means "all." (See:
Pansexual)
Outing|Outed – Involuntary, unwanted,
or unexpected disclosure of
a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity status.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Frequently Asked Questions
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: Outdated LGBTQ Terminology
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
OWL - Older Wiser Lesbian. Acronym,
used informally to describe elderly gay women.
Slang expression referring to experienced lesbians who
have personal insight of the history of the LGBTQ
movement.
Pansexual – Person who experiences sexual,
romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for
members of all gender identities/expressions. Gender
blind. "Pan" means "all." (See: Omnisexual)
Passing – Term for transgender people being
accepted as, or able to "pass for," a member of their
self-identified gender/sex identity (regardless of birth
sex). Any gay/lesbian/queer individual who can is believed to
be or perceived as straight.
Polyamory|Polyamorous– Refers to the practice
of, desire to, or orientation towards having ethically,
honest, consensually non-monogamous relationships (relationships that may include multiple partners). This
may include open relationships or polyfidelity (which
involves more than two people being in romantic and/or
sexual relationships which is not open to additional
partners). Slang: Poly.
Polysexual
- Person who who experiences sexual, romantic,
physical, and/or spiritual attraction for members of
many gender identities/expressions. Person who
incorporates many
different kinds of sexualities. "Poly" means "Many."
PrEP -
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. It is anti-HIV medication that
keeps HIV negative people from becoming infected.
Preferred
Gender Pronouns (PGP) - Opposite, different, or
generic pronoun used by
a person whose gender is fluid. A man/male may
prefer "she/her/hers" and a woman/female may prefer
"he/him/his." Or a person may
prefer the singular they
by using "them/they/their." Or they may prefer "ze/zem/zir."
Used to show respect to individuals and groups whose
gender identity is non-binary, variant, non-conforming, or fluid.
Pride -
Term referring to a variety of celebrations,
demonstrations, presentations, and events (including
parades, marches, festivals, and similar activities) to
promote a sense of solidarity and community and to
express pride and support. Additionally, the purpose of
these events is to raise public awareness of LGBTQ
issues and concerns; to protest injustice, inequality,
and oppression; and to acknowledge and affirm LGBTQ
accomplishments.
Queer -
Umbrella term referring to a broad range of orientations
and identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender.
Refers to sexual minorities, including gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender, pansexual, asexual, gender
variant, and more. Historically used as a derogatory
term.
Queerplatonic|Quasiplatonic (QPR) - Intimate relationship,
similar to friendship, that does not fit the traditional romantic couple
model. It is characterized by a strong bond, love, and
emotional commitment, yet is not perceived as romantic or more than a friendship.
It is not about
sexuality, eroticism, or exclusivity.
Questioning
- Individual who is unsure
about or is exploring their own sexual orientation or
gender identity. Same as Bicurious.
Romantic Attraction – Affinity to show affection or to engage in relational
(interactive) intimate or behavior (flirting, dating,
marriage) with another person.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Info: Outdated LGBTQ Terminology
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
LGBTQ Glossary
Same
Gender Loving (SGL)
– Term sometimes used by
members of the Black/African-American community to
express an alternative sexual orientation without
relying on terms and symbols of European descent.
Sex
(Identity) - Physical elements of one’s biology and anatomy.
Person’s medical assignment (or label) as manifest
through organs, genitals, hormones, and chromosomes.
A person might identify male or female. Or a person might be
intersex (hermaphroditic).
Sex (Act) -
Physical
activity
or
behavior of
an erotic, sensual, or carnal nature, including
specifically sexual intercourse. Coitus, copulation.
Activity resulting in orgasm. Includes
vaginal, oral, anal, and manual forms.
Sexual Attraction – Affinity to engage in physical
(carnal) intimate behavior
(kissing, touching, intercourse) with another person.
Sexual
Identity - Clinical umbrella term referring to sexual
behavior that is used broadly (and objectively) to
discuss sexual orientation, sexual attraction, and
romantic orientation.
Info: LGBTQ History
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: Famous LGBTQ People
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
LGBTQ Glossary
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Sexual
Minority - Reference to any identity, orientation,
lifestyle, or practice that doesn’t comply with the
mainstream heterosexual or cisgender concept of normal
sexual or gender behavior.
Sexual Orientation –
Type of sexual, romantic, emotional/spiritual attraction
one feels for others, often labeled based on the gender
relationship between the person and the people they are
attracted to. Persons may be heterosexual or homosexual. Sexual orientation is innate, not
chosen.
Sexual Preference – Types of interaction,
stimulation, and gratification one likes to receive and
participate in. Indicating one's favorite
qualities, features, characteristics, arrangements,
positions, activities, or lifestyles. Sexual preference connotes
personal choice.
Sex Reassignment Surgery (SRS) – Term used by some
medical professionals to refer to a group of surgical
options that alter a person’s biological sex. Also
called Gender
Confirmation Surgery. In most cases, one or multiple surgeries
are required to achieve legal recognition of gender
variance. Surgical procedures are referred to as
"top" surgery (breast augmentation/reduction) and "bottom" surgery
(genital reconstruction).
Skoliosexual – Attracted to genderqueer and
transsexual people and expressions. Attracted to people who don’t
identify as cisgender.
Stud – Term most commonly used to indicate a
Black/African-American and/or Latina masculine
lesbian/queer woman. Also known as butch or
aggressive.
Switch - Person involved in a sexual act who alternates
between "top" (dominant) and "bottom" (submissive)
roles.
They|Them|Their - Used as singular pronouns,
these are gender neutral pronouns (used by
transgender and genderqueer persons) that replace
he/she, him/her, and his/hers.
Third Gender – Term for a person who does not
identify with either man or woman, but identifies with
another gender. This gender category is used by
societies that recognize three or more genders, both
contemporary and historic, and is also a conceptual term
meaning different things to different people who use it,
as a way to move beyond the gender binary.
Thrupple - Triad or threesome. Menage a trois. Sexual
relationship involving three partners.
Top - Dominant person involved in a sexual act. Giver,
pitcher.
Top Surgery – Term refers to surgery for the
construction of a male-type chest or breast augmentation
for a female-type chest.
Transgender - Umbrella term covering a
range of identities that transgress socially defined
gender norms. A person who lives as a member of a gender
other than that expected based on sex assigned at birth.
Slang: Trans.
Transition|Transitioning - Term is primarily used
to refer to the process a transgender person undergoes when
changing their bodily appearance either to be more
congruent with the gender/sex they feel themselves to be
and/or to be in harmony with their preferred gender
expression.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: LGBTQ Slang
Transman - Identity label sometimes adopted by
female-to-male (FTM) transgender people or transsexuals to
signify that they are men while still affirming their
history as assigned female sex at birth.
Transwoman – Identity label
sometimes adopted by male-to-female (MTF) transsexuals or
transgender people to signify that they are women while
still affirming their history as assigned male sex at
birth.
Transphobia – Fear of, discrimination against, or
hatred of transgender people, the transgender community, or gender
ambiguity.
Transsexual – Person who identifies
psychologically as a gender/sex other than the one to
which they were assigned at birth. Transsexuals often
wish to transform their bodies hormonally and surgically
to match their inner sense of gender/sex. Specific term
typically used for post-operative transgender people.
Archaic term.
Transvestite – Person who dresses as the binary
opposite gender expression (cross-dresses) for any one
of many reasons, including entertainment, relaxation,
fun, and sexual gratification. Often called a
cross-dresser or drag queen.
Triad -
Arrangement or structure of a polyamorous relationship.
Sometimes referred to as a thrupple.
Two-Spirit – Umbrella term traditionally used by
Native American (indigenous) people to recognize individuals who
possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders.
Ze|Zem|Zir - Gender neutral neopronouns (used by
transgender and genderqueer persons) that replace
he/she, him/her, and his/hers.
Wikipedia: Sexual Orientation Terminology
OK2BME: What Does LGBTQ Mean?
Words the LGBTQ
Community Has Reclaimed (And Some We Haven't)
Defining LGBTQ Words for Elementary
School Students
Info: LGBTQ History
We Are Family: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms
LGBTQ Words Added to the Oxford English
Dictionary in 2022
UC Davis: LGBTQ Glossary of Terms
Info: LGBTQ Symbols
Scarleteen: Glossary of
Sexual Terms
Info: Archaic LGBTQ Terminology
Kids Help Line: LGBTQ Ultimate Dictionary
CNN: LGBTQ and Other Sexual Identity Terms Explained
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