LGBT Terms

If you’re not in the LGBT community, and even if you are, there are some terms used to describe the community that could get confusing. If you’re not sure what you should be calling someone, or how to describe someone, just ask. Most of the time, individuals will tell you, but if they don’t, just ask. There’s no harm in that! I’m going to give you some of the most talked about terms and their definitions so that you can learn more of the correct ways to describe your LGBT friends.

Advocate: Someone who works to end intolerance, educate others and supports equality for all.

Ally: A straight person who supports queer people.

Asexual: A person who generally does not experience sexual attraction to any group of people.

Biological Sex: The physical anatomy and generated hormones one is born with. Generally described as male, female, or intersex. Often confused with gender.

Bisexual: A person who experiences sexual, romantic, and physical attraction to people of their own gender as well as another gender.

Cisgender: A person whose gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all align.

Fluid(ity): Usually with another term attached such as gender fluid. Describes an identity that is a mix of two options. (Gender fluid = male/female)

Gay: Used to describe men who are attracted to the same sex but also used as a blanket term for gays and lesbians alike.

Genderqueer: A blanket term describing someone whose gender falls outside of the gender binary.

Pansexual: A person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical and/or spiritual attraction for members of all gender identities and expressions.

Queer: (1) Historically, this was a derogatory slang term to identify LGBTQ+ individuals. (2) A term that has been embraced and reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community as a symbol of pride, representing all individuals who fall out of the gender and sexuality norms.

Sexual Orientation: The type of sexual, romantic and physical attraction one feels for others.

Sexual Preference: Often used interchangeably with sexual orientation.

Straight: A man or woman who is attracted to other people of the opposite sex.

Transgender: A blanket term used to describe all people who are not cisgender (see above)

Transitioning: A term used to describe the process of moving from one sex/gender to another, sometimes this is done by hormone or surgical treatments.

Transsexual: A person whose gender identity is the binary opposite of their biological sex, who may undergo medical treatments to change their biological sex, often times to align it with their gender identity.

Transvestite: A person who dresses as the binary opposite gender expression for one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, or sexual gratification. Often called a cross-dresser, and often confused with transsexual.

Trans-man: A person, who was assigned a female sex at birth, but identifies as a man; often confused with “transsexual man” or “FTM”.

Trans-woman: A person, who was assigned a male sex at birth, but identifies as a woman; often confused with “transsexual woman” or “MTF”.

I know it can get confusing, but like I said above, all you have to do is ask what pronouns, or what labels they prefer!