The terminology of the LGBTQIA+ community can be very confusing - so we have curated an introductory guide to the words and phrases used by the community!
LGBTQIA+
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. Queer, Intersex, Asexual and Other Identities. Each letter corresponds to a different identity within the community:
Lesbian: Non-men who are exclusively attracted to non-men (this can include Non-Binary people).
Gay: This typically means men who are exclusively attracted to men - but many members of the community use it for themselves. It can also be used by masculine presenting non-binary people who do not feel the label Lesbian is appropriate for themselves.
Bisexual: A person who is attracted to two or more genders. This doesn’t have to be, and often is not, a 50/50 split in preferences. A man with a preference for men, but occasionally is attracted to women is still bisexual.
Transgender: A trans person is someone who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. This is an umbrella term that includes both binary trans people (trans men and trans women), and non-binary trans people.
Queer: While this word has a difficult history, it has been reclaimed by many members of the community. It has a looser definition, that often has personal significance to the person who claims this identity. It is often an umbrella term used for people who are not straight or cisgender.
Intersex: An intersex person is someone who is born with variations in sex characteristics with physical and/or chromosome presentation. While being Intersex is not linked to sexuality to gender identity in any way, these variations often subject Intersex individuals to transphobic rhetoric and attacks. This overlap in experiences is large and needs to be acknowledged - so we include them in the acronym.
Asexual & Aromantic: Asexuality means an absence of sexual attraction. Aromantic individuals do not experience romantic attraction - but may feel sexual attraction if they do not identify as both.
Plus: Our understanding of gender and sexuality is constantly growing. The plus sign acknowledges this - and leaves room for labels that haven’t been listed. Further, many individuals within the community don’t feel comfortable with any label, or haven’t worked out which one is right just yet.
Non-binary Identities
Non-binary means any identity that is not strictly ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Any gender identity that exists outside of the binary fits into this category. Non-binary people may use this label, or define their identity further with other labels:
Genderfluid: Genderfluid individuals experience gender dynamically - it is not fixed into one place. It might move between man and woman, or move between man and genderless. Any combination of fluidity counts.
Agender: This is the absence of gender. People who identify as agender are completely genderless.
Demigirl: A person who partially identifies with being a girl, but not fully.
Demiboy: A person who partially identifies with being a boy, but not fully.
Assigned Gender at Birth
These acronyms are used to describe the gender which a person has been assigned at birth. They may or may not identify with that gender currently - everyone has an assigned gender at birth! These acronyms are not to be used to group non-binary individuals into binary categories - but rather to discuss shared experiences.
AFAB: Assigned Female at Birth
AMAB: Assigned Male at Birth
Other Terminology
Pronouns: These are the words used when referring to someone in place of their name. Examples include he, him, she, her, I, you, me, they and them. Everyone has pronouns - not just Trans & Gender Diverse people!
Gender: This is the social construct of gender - so it is separate from sex characteristics. Gender is how you feel and identify and incorporates gender expression.
Sex: Biological sex characteristics that is separate from gender incorporating physical and physiological attributes. This is only important in medical settings.
Gender dysphoria: An overwhelming feeling of distress and/or anxiety experienced by many trans people. Not all trans people experience dysphoria.
Gender euphoria: The feeling of satisfaction and/or joy in relation to one’s physical gender presentation.
Cisgender: This is someone who doesn’t identify as transgender. They identify as the gender that they were assigned at birth.