The following terms are presented in two sections. The first section, “Identity Terms,” presents and defines some common identities that fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. These terms are divided into the categories of “sex,” “gender,” and “sexual orientation,” which are separate areas of identity. Each of them functions independently of (but in relationship to) the other two.

The second section, titled “experiences,” defines terms that are not identity words but are common vocabulary used in and when talking about the LGBTQ+ community.

IDENTITY TERMS

SEX or SEX ASSIGNED AT BIRTH (n): A person’s assignment at birth, based upon a medical provider’s perception of one’s bodily characteristics (genitalia, chromosomes, hormones, etc.) as male, female, or intersex.

• INTERSEX (adj): A general term used to refer to people whose bodies defy a common understanding of sex as a simple male/female binary. Intersex continues to be widely accepted as an umbrella term referring to biological diversity affecting sexual and reproductive anatomy.
• FEMALE(adj/n): A label conferred by medical professionals at or before birth which is often associated with XX chromosomes and the production of certain hormones and sex characteristics. Not all people who are assigned female at birth display said characteristics.
• MALE (adj/n): A label conferred by medical professionals at or before birth which is often associated with XY chromosomes and the production of certain hormones and sex characteristics. Not all people who are assigned male at birth display said characteristics.

GENDER(n): A way that a given culture or society groups people into social categories, often carrying social expectations, assumptions, roles, and identities. Some but not all cultures arrange these social categories along lines of sex assigned at birth (see above), and assign a wide-ranging set of meanings and expectations to these social categories. In cultures that construct gender categories along lines of sex, children are typically assumed to belong to the gender category associated with their sex assigned at birth, and are often explicitly and implicitly enculturated to behave in ways that are associated with that gender. The meanings and expectations assigned to these gender categories are not inherent to an individual’s particular biology or the sex category they were assigned to at birth, and can vary dramatically from one culture to another. At the cultural level, gender categories are social in nature, and rely on (and in turn reinforce) shared beliefs and understandings about people and society. At the individual level, gender can refer to a sense of personal identity within, outside of, or in relationship to these social categories (see “gender identity” below).

• GENDER IDENTITY (n): An internal, personal sense of self as it relates to gender (see above). A person’s gender identity may be similar to or different from the gender they were assumed to belong to at birth (see “cisgender” and “transgender” below), and may align with or differ from the gender categories that are considered “normative” or “common” in their culture. Gender identity is not defined by a person’s body or sex, or by the expectations or stereotypes of others, although these factors might impact a person’s experience with gender—for example, having access to language to describe one’s inner experience, being able to find wide-ranging representation of their gender, etc. Gender identity is purely an internal phenomenon, and each person is the only expert on their own identity.
• GENDER ATTRIBUTION (n): The situation in which an observer decides and assigns what they believe a person’s gender is based on that person’s gender expression. Gender attribution is always a guess, unless someone has explicitly shared their gender identity.
• GENDER EXPRESSION (n): The manner in which one outwardly expresses, signals, or performs their gender. Can encompass appearance (clothing, haircut, makeup, etc.), behavior, mannerisms, etc.
• GENDER BINARY (n): A way of thinking that posits that there are two and only two gender categories, which are mutually exclusive and function as “opposites.” Not all systems of gender are binary, and binary systems can function with different degrees of rigidity. In rigidly binary systems of gender, gender roles tend to be more strictly enforced (by formal or informal/unspoken means), and gender categories or roles are often (erroneously) described as “inherent” or “natural.” In such systems, those who either do not conform to the roles/expectations of their gender or whose genders are outside of the binary tend to face high levels of stigma. It is important to note that while an individual’s gender might fall within the boundaries of a binary system, no person’s gender is in itself binary. “Binary” refers to the system that defines and regulates gender as a way to categorize people, limits which genders are acknowledged, and attempts to regulate how the genders relate to one another.
• CISGENDER (adj): A term describing anyone who knows themself to be the gender they were assigned at birth. Antonym of transgender. Cisgender has its origin in the Latin-derived prefix cis, meaning “on the same side.”
• TRANSGENDER or TRANS (adj): An umbrella term for anyone who knows themself to be a gender that is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. Some trans people may have a gender identity that is neither man nor woman, and for some people their gender identity may vary at different points in their lives. Transgender has its origin in the Latin-derived prefix trans, meaning “across” or “beyond.” Transgender is generally preferred over the antiquated “transsexual” to shift focus from body parts to internal sense of self. Some (often older) people self-identify as transsexual.
• NONBINARY (adj): A gender identity that specifically rejects the notion of binary gender. Can sometimes be used interchangeably with genderqueer.
• GENDERQUEER (adj): Describes a gender identity that is queer  (see below) or that deliberately rejects societal gender norms. Someone whose gender identity is neither man nor woman, is between or beyond gender, rejects binary gender, is some combination of genders. Can sometimes be used interchangeably with nonbinary.
• GENDER EXPANSIVE (adj): An umbrella term that can be used to encompass many people whose gender identities and/or expressions expand beyond the assumed boundaries or norms of gender in their culture. It can include those who are transgender, agender, genderqueer, or nonbinary, as well as those who are cisgender men or women. For some people, this term complements other terms related to their gender identities, while others might use it specifically to resist being confined to one gender experience or narrative.
• GENDER NON-CONFORMING (adj): Used to describe people whose gender expression does not align with societal expectations based on their perceived gender. Gender non-conforming is not the same as trans.
• GENDERFLUID / GENDER FLUIDITY (n): A term that describes a person who experiences their gender to change or shift over time. The adjective genderfluid is often used as an identity term (as in, “I am genderfluid,”) while the noun gender fluidity is often used to talk about the experience. While most people of any gender relate to their gender differently at different times in life, many people who are genderfluid specifically experience the shifting, moving, and flowing nature of gender as one of the defining factors of their gender identity- some people describe the experience as feeling similar to the fluid nature of water. For some, this means moving between different gender categories, either over the course of a lifetime or more frequently. For others, it might mean that their gender shows up differently in different contexts. Some people who are genderfluid might reflect this by changing their gender expression (see above) to align with their sense of self over time, while others might experience gender fluidity internally. As with all identity terms, each individual is the only expert in which terms they use for themselves. 
• FLUID(ITY) (adj/n): Describes an identity that changes over time within or between available options. Often combined with another identity, such as “genderfluid” or “sexually fluid.”

SEXUAL ORIENTATION (n): A pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions. A sense of one’s personal and social identity based on attractions. Describes whether and to whom one is attracted sexually, physically, romantically, etc.

• LESBIAN (adj/n): Often describes a woman who is emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted primarily to women. Some nonbinary people also identify as lesbians.
• GAY (adj): Describes a person who is emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted primarily to members of the same gender. (Often used by people who identify as men, though others in the LBTQ+ community may also identify as gay.)
• HOMOSEXUAL (adj/n): A person who is primarily emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted toward persons of the same gender. Some LGBTQ+ elders self-identify with this term. However, based on a pathologizing and oppressive history, it is widely considered outdated and is not widely used.
• BISEXUAL (adj): Describes an individual who is emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted to more than one gender. This term uses the prefix “bi-” meaning two, although many people who use this term for themselves use it in ways that affirm and recognize that many more genders than two exist. Can sometimes be used interchangeably with Pansexual.
• PANSEXUAL (adj): Describes a person who is emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted toward persons of many gender identities. This term uses the prefix “pan-” meaning all. Can sometimes be used interchangeably with Bisexual.
• QUEER (adj/v): 1) A term used to describe a sexual orientation that is not straight, without indicating the genders of the queer person or the people they are attracted to. Some people identify as queer because it doesn’t reference gender, and some people prefer queer because it can expansively include attraction to people of a range of genders (used similarly to “pansexual” and “bisexual”). 2) An umbrella term used by some to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. 3) Historically and currently used by some as a slur targeting those perceived to transgress “norms” of sexual orientation and/or gender expression, but for others, a word that has been reclaimed as a positive and affirmative part of their identity. Some people who use this term for themselves specifically connect it to this history of activism, resistance, and reclamation. For others, the term can feel painful or off-putting, as it can be a reminder of oppression and marginalization. Because this term can have both positive and painful meanings, we encourage everyone to be particularly careful to use this term only when the person they are speaking about has indicated that it is a positive term for them.
• STRAIGHT (adj): A person who is primarily emotionally, spiritually, physically, and/or sexually attracted toward persons of a different gender. This is another term for heterosexual.
• ASEXUAL (adj): An umbrella category describing those who experience little or no sexual attraction. Identifying as asexual does not preclude any behavior, including dating and sex. Often abbreviated as Ace, asexual can also refer to the Asexuality Spectrum, which describes the range of experiences related to attraction. Demisexual (describing a person who feels sexual attraction only to someone with whom they have an emotional bond) and aromantic, (someone who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others) fall under the umbrella category of asexual.

EXPERIENCES

• COMING OUT (n): Coming out is the process of voluntarily sharing one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity with others. This process is unique for each individual and there is no right or wrong way to come out. Coming out occurs at various points throughout one’s life. The term “coming out” has also been broadened to include other pieces of potentially stigmatized personal information. “Being out” means not concealing one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. 
• GENDER TRANSITION (n/v): The process through which a trans person changes aspects of themself to be more aligned with their gender. There is not one way to transition. Transition includes some or all of the following: cultural, legal, and medical adjustments; telling one’s family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents; electrolysis or laser hair removal; hormone therapy; different forms of surgery—including but not limited to chest and genital surgery. Gender transition is not a linear process, and is often influenced by one’s access to information, community, and financial resources.
• PRONOUNS (n): The part of speech that stands in for a noun in a sentence. In the context of LGBTQ+ experiences, people are usually referring to the pronoun used to refer to someone in the third person. Examples include she/her/hers, they/them/theirs, ze/hir/hirs, he/him/his. Since a pronoun stands in for a person’s name, it is important to make every effort to use the correct set of pronouns when referring to someone doing so conveys a base level of respect. Pronouns are chosen by each individual and can only be known when shared. Sharing one’s own pronouns during introductions, in email signatures, and on nametags is now common practice in order to ensure all people are referred to respectfully. “Pronoun” is more accurate than the older phrase “preferred pronoun.”
• PRIDE(n): In the context of the LGBTQ+ community means the promotion of self-affirmation, acceptance, equality, and visibility. LGBTQ+ Pride originated in the United States and built upon prior civil rights demonstrations and acts of resistance. It built upon immediate momentum from the Stonewall riots, an uprising that began on June 28, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The events of Stonewall are commonly regarded as the birth of large-scale gay liberation and gay pride. Pride has grown to encompass a month-long celebration every June in the USA and worldwide. Some locations also schedule Pride for other dates or months. Present-day celebrations include parades, workshops, protests, and entertainment to bring together millions of participants worldwide.
• GENDER EUPHORIA (n): Gender euphoria is the psychological state of bliss and comfort that happens when our gender expression is aligned with our identity. Some people say that gender euphoria, not gender dysphoria, should be the diagnostic requirement for transgender people. Not all of us experience the negative aspects of gender, but all of us know what it’s like to feel “right” in our bodies. All of us are free to try out different names, pronouns, gender expressions, and modifications on our journey. The “click” when something feels authentic is the best—truly, a sense of coming home. Like gender dysphoria, gender euphoria can manifest in three ways:
  • Cognitive Euphoria: when a person’s mind fully accepts and loves their gender identity, with feelings of “I love myself” and “I am lovable as my authentic self”
  • Social Euphoria: when others gender the person correctly, title them correctly, and call them by the right name, it sparks a powerful sense of happiness and belonging; especially important with family members, coworkers, and friends because it creates community
  • Body Euphoria: An overall sense of comfort, ease, and enjoyment of the person’s body, including feeling “right sized,” in the right body, and free within this physical form
• GENDER DYSPHORIA (n):  Gender dysphoria is a medical term that describes the feeling many of us have of not feeling “right” or “at home” in our gendered selves or bodies.. Gender dysphoria can be dramatic in some people and subtle in others. (Some transgender people don’t ever experience gender dysphoria.) It can manifest as a feeling in your body: the sense that you’re wearing a costume, or that your body doesn’t “fit” correctly. It can be a feeling of distaste or disassociation from certain body parts. Gender dysphoria might cause you to dress in a particular way, to camouflage the parts of your body you can’t stand or to try to fit in with other people of your assigned or assumed gender. Em Murphy wrote that there are three kinds of gender dysphoria:
  • Cognitive Dysphoria: In which a person’s mind/thoughts are against their gender identity, this is slightly less known, and can involve misgendering oneself or referencing their past self as a separate person
  • Social Dysphoria: discomfort occurs when being perceived by others, this can be caused by being misgendered by others, and being titled incorrectly, and is extremely common in nonbinary folk
  • Body Dysphoria: This one is the most well known, and has to do with discomfort with the person’s body, which can include a variety of things from height to genitals. There is also a medicalized definition of gender dysphoria codified in the DSM-IV: “psychological distress that results from an incongruence between one’s sex assigned at birth and one’s gender identity.” This definition is narrow and only relevant when navigating the healthcare system in which a diagnosis of gender dysphoria is sometimes required for many gender-affirming treatments, such as hormone therapy or surgery. 
• MISGENDER (v): The act of incorrectly classifying another person’s gender. Can refer to using the incorrect pronoun for someone, or using other incorrect gendered language (i.e. “sir” or “ma’am”). When done intentionally, misgendering another person can be an act of harassment. Even when done unintentionally, misgendering another person is often hurtful – this is often particularly true when misgendering a transgender or nonbinary person, as it conveys a lack of recognition or respect for their identity.
• DEADNAME (n/v): The name given to a trans person when they were born which they no longer use. Also known as birth name. Deadnaming is the act of calling a trans person by their deadname. When done intentionally, this can be an act of harassment. Even when done unintentionally, deadnaming a transgender or nonbinary person is often hurtful as it conveys a lack of recognition or respect for their identity. In addition, it is considered impolite to ask about or attempt to find out about a person’s former or dead name.
• TRANSPHOBIA (n): Irrational fear or hatred of people who break or blur gender roles and sex characteristics, which exists in both the heterosexual and LGBQ communities. Expressed as negative feelings, erasure, attitudes, actions, and institutional discrimination against those perceived as transgender or gender non-conforming, or the fear of being perceived as transgender or gender non-conforming.
• HOMOPHOBIA (n): The irrational fear of love, affection, or sexual behavior between people of the same gender. Expressed as negative feelings, erasure, attitudes, actions, and institutional discrimination against those perceived as non-heterosexuals, or the fear of being perceived as non-heterosexual.
• BIPHOBIA (n): The irrational fear of love, affection, or sexual behavior of people who identify as bisexual. Expressed as negative feelings, erasure, attitudes, actions, and institutional discrimination against those perceived as bi-sexual, or the fear of being perceived as bisexual.
• CIS-NORMATIVE (adj): Describes the social, cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that intentionally or unintentionally assume that cisgender experiences and identities are normative or universal.
• HETERONORMATIVE (adj): Describes the social, cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that intentionally or unintentionally assume that heterosexual experiences and identities are normative or universal.
• GENDER-INCLUSIVE (adj): The characteristic of being usable, accessible, or relevant to people of all genders—including cisgender and transgender men and women and the full range of nonbinary / expansive gender identities that exist. For example, an intake or sign-up form is gender-inclusive when it allows users to choose from a wide range of possible gender options and/or use their own words to identify their gender (and better still, collects this information only if and when needed). 
• GENDER AFFIRMATION (n): Gender affirmation is an umbrella term for the range of actions and possibilities involved in living, surviving, and thriving as our authentic gendered selves. What gender affirmation looks like for every individual trans person is unique and based on what is personally affirming, what feels safe to do, and what is accessible and available.
• ALLYSHIP (n): The ongoing process of working alongside members of a marginalized or oppressed group to which one does not belong to advance rights, dignity, and safety with that group. In this context, allyship can be a practice of non-LGBTQ+ people acting in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people. Since the LGBTQ+ community is a broad coalition of identities, allyship also takes place within the community, for example when lesbian and gay people act to further the safety and rights of transgender and nonbinary people and vise-versa.

These are some of the most common English terms used in the local and national LGBTQ+ communities. There are many others, and more are created every day. It is always best to ask individuals and communities what terms they use, and what those terms mean to them.

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