LGBTQ+ Terminologies
Cis-Gender (Cis-Sexual / Cis)
Cis-Gender / Cis-Gender Male / Cis-Gender Female: A term for people whose gender identity matches the sex that they were assigned at birth.
Pansexual (Omnisexual)
Pansexual / Omnisexual – A person whose sexual, romantic or emotional attraction is towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity.
Asexual (ace)
Asexual (ace): A person who does not have, sexual attraction to others, or desire for any sexual activity.
Intersex
Intersex: Individuals born with any of several variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, reproductive glands, sex hormones, or genitals.
Homosexual (Gay/Lesbian)
Homosexual (Gay/Lesbian): Person with romantic/sexual attraction or sexual behavior with an individual of the same sex or gender.
Demisexual
Demisexual: Person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they form a strong emotional connection with someone.
Bisexual
Bisexual : A person having romantic attraction, sexual attraction, or sexual behavior towards two sex or gender.
Polyamourous
Polyamourous: People who have consensual relationships that involve multiple partners and talk openly with their partners about having or having the desire to have sexual and /or emotional relationships with multiple people.
Heterosexual
Heterosexual : People having attraction to a gender different from their own (commonly used to describe someone who is gender binary [female or male] attracted to the other binary gender).
Agender
Agender : Person with no (or very little) connection to the traditional system of gender, no personal alignment with the concepts of either man or woman, and/or someone who sees themselves as existing without gender.
Ally
Ally (typically straight and/or cisgender) : Person who supports and respects members of the LGBTQ community. We consider people to be active allies who take action on, in support and respect.
Androgyny
Androgyny : A gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity.
Bicurious
Bicurious : Curiosity towards experiencing attraction to people of the same gender/sex (similar to questioning).
Bigender
Bigender : Person who fluctuates between traditionally “woman” and “man” gender-based behavior and identities, identifying with two genders (or sometimes identifying with either man or woman, as well as a third, different gender).
Androsexual
Androsexual / Androphilic : Person being sexually, romantically and/or emotionally attracted to men, males, and/or masculinity.
Aromantic
Aromantic : Person with little or no romantic attraction to others and/or has a lack of interest in romantic relationships/behavior.
Binder
Binder : An undergarment used to alter or reduce the appearance of one’s breasts. Binding is often used to change the way other’s read/perceive one’s anatomical sex characteristics, and/or as a form of gender expression.
Biphobia
Biphobia : A range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, invisibility, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have or express toward bisexual individuals. Biphobia can come from and be seen within the LGBTQ community as well as straight society.
Butch
Butch : A person who identifies themselves as masculine, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally. ‘Butch’ is sometimes used as a derogatory term for lesbians, but is also be claimed as an affirmative identity label.
Cisnormativity
Cisnormativity : The assumption, in individuals and in institutions, that everyone is cisgender, and that cisgender identities are superior to trans* identities and people. Leads to invisibility of non-cisgender identities.
Cissexism
Cissexism : The behavior that grants preferential treatment to cisgender people, reinforces the idea that being cisgender is somehow better or more “right” than being transgender, and/or makes other genders invisible.
Closeted
Closeted : An individual who is not open to themselves or others about their (queer) 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, job, etc. Also known as being “in the closet.”
Coming Out
Coming out : The process by which one accepts and/or comes to identify one’s own sexuality or gender identity to oneself or with others.
Biphobia
Biphobia : A range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, invisibility, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have or express toward bisexual individuals. Biphobia can come from and be seen within the LGBTQ community as well as straight society.