LGBTQ Vocabulary with Definitions

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Oct 30, 2023

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LGBTQ Psychology Terminology & Definitions 1. Advocate : When used as a noun, refers to a person who actively works to end intolerance, educate others, and support social equity for a marginalized group. When used as a verb, it means to actively support/plea in favor of a particular cause, the action of working to end intolerance, educate others, etc. 2. AFAB/AMAB : abbreviation for the terms Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB) or Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB). No one, whether cis or trans, gets to choose what sex they’re assigned at birth. Instead this is done, typically by medical professionals, usually based on genital appearance at birth. This term is preferred over the terms “biological male/female”, “male/female bodied”, “natal male/female”, and “born male/female”, which are considered defamatory and inaccurate by many in the queer community. 3. Affirmed gender : The gender by which one wishes to be known. This term is often used to replace terms like “new gender”. “preferred gender” or “chosen gender”, which imply that an individual’s gender was not always their gender, that gender is simply a matter of personal preference, or that the gender was chosen rather than simply in existence. 4. Agender : Refers to a person who does not identify with any gender. 5. Ally : a (typically straight- or cis-identified) person who supports and respects members of the LGBTQ community. While the word doesn’t necessitate action, people are considered to be active allies when they take action upon this support and respect. It is this action that demonstrates to others that you are an active ally. “Coming out” as an ally is when you reveal (or take an action that reveals) your support of the LGBTQ community. Being an active supporter can, at times, be stigmatizing, though it is not usually recognized many allies go through a “coming out process” of their own. 6. Androgyny/androgynous : a gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity 7. Androsexual/Androphilic : attraction to men, males, and/or masculinity 8. Aromantic: describes a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in forming romantic relationships. 9. Assigned sex : The sex that is assigned to an infant at birth based on the child’s visible sex organs, including genitalia and other physical characteristics. 10. Asexual : describes a person who has a lack of (or low level of) sexual attraction to others and/or 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, many of these different places on the spectrum have their own identity labels. Sometimes abbreviated as “ace”. Asexuality is different than celibacy in that it is a sexual orientation whereas celibacy is an abstaining from a certain action. Keep in mind that not all asexual people are aromantic. 11. Bigender: refers to those who identify as two genders or who fluctuate between more than one gender. Can also identify as multigender (identifying as two or more genders). Do not confuse this term with Two-Spirit, which is specifically associated with Native American and First Nations cultures. 12. Biological Sex : a medical term used to refer to the chromosomal, hormonal and anatomical characteristics that are used to classify an individual as female or male or

intersex. Often referred to as simply “sex,” “physical sex,” “anatomical sex,” or specifically as “sex assigned [or designated] at birth.” Often seen as a binary but as there are many combinations of chromosomes, hormones, and primary/secondary sex characteristics, it’s more accurate to view this as a spectrum (which is more inclusive of intersex people as well as trans*-identified people). Is commonly conflated with gender. 13. Biphobia : a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have/express towards bisexual individuals. Biphobia can come from and be seen within the queer community as well as straight society. Biphobic is the adjective form of this idea and is used describe an individual who harbors some elements of this range of negative attitudes towards bisexual people Really important to recognize that many of our stereotypes of bisexual people – they’re overly sexual, greedy, it’s just a phase – are negative and stigmatizing (and therefore biphobic) and that gay, straight, and many other queer individuals can hold these beliefs. 14. Bisexual : often used to describe a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to both males/men and females/women. Sometimes also used to describe people who are attracted to many gender identities, including those who identify outside of the gender binary as well, so many people use bisexual as a way to indicate an interest in more than one gender or sex (i.e. men and genderqueer people). This attraction does not have to be equally split or indicate a level of interest that is the same across the genders or sexes an individual may be attracted to. Often shortened to “bi”. Because it is the most commonly understood term outside of gay/straight many people who do not believe in the binary categories that bisexual can imply still use the term to indicate their sexual orientation because it is largely understood by others. 15. Bottom Surgery: a phrase used in the transgender community to mean a variety of kinds of gender-validating surgeries that can be done on the reproductive organs or genitals. These can include vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, or metoidioplasty. 16. 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. 17. Cisgender : a person whose gender identity and biological sex assigned at birth align (e.g., man and male-assigned). A simple way to think about it is if a person is not trans*, they are cisgender. “Cis” is a latin prefix that means “on the same side [as]” or “on this side [of]” 18. Cisnormativity : the assumption, in individuals or in institutions, that everyone is cisgender, and that cisgender identities are superior to trans* identities or people. Leads to invisibility of non-cisgender identities 19. Cissexism : 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. 20. 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.” When someone chooses to break this silence they “come out” of the closet. (See coming out) 21. Coming Out : the process by which one accepts and/or comes to identify one’s own sexuality or gender identity (to “come out” to oneself) and the process by which one shares one’s sexuality or gender identity with others (to “come out” to friends, etc.). This

is a continual, life-long process. Everyday, all the time, one has to evaluate and re- evaluate who they are comfortable coming out to, if it is safe, and what the consequences might be. 22. Conversion/Reparative Therapy: any treatment with the goal of making someone who is lesbian , gay , bisexual , or transgender ( LGBT ) to stop being so. The treatment may take the form of counseling sessions, such as from a psychologist or religious minister, it may use physical treatments, such as electrical shocks, drugs, or lobotomy. Some adults choose to go into conversion therapy because they don't want to be LGBT. However, most often, conversion therapy is done to children and adults who didn't consent to it. This is done by families who wouldn't accept their child as LGBT. Without the person's consent, many consider any kind of conversion therapy as abuse, and a violation of human rights. 23. Cross-dressing: the act of dressing and presenting as a different gender. One who considers this an integral part of their identity may identify as a cross-dresser. “Transvestite” is often considered a pejorative term with the same meaning. Drag performers are cross-dressing performers who take on stylized, exaggerated gender presentations (although not all drag performers identify as cross-dressers). Cross-dressing and drag are forms of gender expression and are not necessarily tied to erotic activity, nor are they indicative of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Do NOT use these terms to describe someone who has transitioned or intends to do so in the future. 24. Demisexual: an individual who does not experience sexual attraction unless they have formed a strong emotional connection with another individual, often within a romantic relationship. 25. Down low : typically referring to men who identify as straight but who secretly have sex with men. Down low (or DL) originated in, and is most commonly used by, communities of color. 26. Drag King : someone who performs masculinity theatrically. 27. Drag Queen: someone who performs femininity theatrically. 28. Feminine Presenting; Masculine Presenting : a 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. Not to be confused with Feminine of Center and Masculine of Center, which often includes a focus on identity as well as expression. 29. Feminine of Center; Masculine of Center: terms that indicate a range of terms of gender identity and gender presentation for folks who present, understand themselves, relate to others in a more feminine/masculine way. Feminine of center individuals may also identify as femme, submissive, transfeminine, or more; masculine of center individuals may also often identity as butch, stud, aggressive, boi, transmasculine, or more. 30. Femme: someone who identifies themselves as feminine, whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally. Often used to refer to a feminine-presenting queer woman. 31. Fluid : generally with another term attached, like gender-fluid or fluid-sexuality, fluid describes an identity that may change or shift over time between or within the mix of the options available (e.g., man and woman, bi and straight) 32. FtM or F2M; MtF or M2F : abbreviation for female-to-male transgender or transsexual person; abbreviation for male-to-female transgender or transsexual person.

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33. Gay : a 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 ppl who are attracted to males/men-identified ppl, but can be applied to females/women-identified ppl as well. Also sometimes used as an 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. Gay” is a word that’s had many different meanings throughout time. In the 12th century is meant “happy,” in the 17th century it was more commonly used to mean “immoral” (describing a loose and pleasure-seeking person), and by the 19th it meant a female prostitute (and a “gay man” was a guy who had sex with female prostitutes a lot). It wasn’t until the 20th century that it started to mean what it means today. Pretty crazy. 34. Gender-affirming surgery (GAS): Surgical procedures that can help people adjust their bodies to more closely match their innate or internal gender identity. Not every transgender person will desire or have resources for surgery. This term should be used in place of the older and often offensive term “sex change”. Also sometimes referred to as sexual reassignment surgery (or SRS), genital reconstruction surgery, or medical transition. Some refer to different surgical procedures as “top” surgery and “bottom” surgery to discuss what type of surgery they are having without having to be more explicit. 35. Gender Binary : the idea that there are only two genders – male/female or man/woman and that a person must be strictly gendered as either/or. 36. Gender Dysphoria: Anxiety and/or discomfort regarding one’s sex assigned at birth. 37. Gender expansive: An umbrella term sometimes used to describe children and youth that expand notions of gender expression and identity beyond what is perceived as the expected gender norms for their society or context. Some gender-expansive individuals identify with being either a boy or a girl, some identify as neither, and others identify as a mix of both. Gender-expansive people feel that they exist psychologically between genders, as on a spectrum, or beyond the notion of the man/woman binary paradigm, and sometimes prefer using gender-neutral pronouns. They may or may not be comfortable with their bodies as they are, regardless of how they express their gender. 38. Gender Expression : the external 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.” 39. Gender Fluid : gender fluid is a gender identity best described as a dynamic mix of boy and girl. A person who is gender fluid may always feel like a mix of the two traditional genders, but may feel more man some days, and more woman other days. 40. Gender Identity : the internal perception of 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. 41. 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. 42. Gender Normative / Gender Straight : someone whose gender presentation, whether by nature or by choice, aligns with society’s gender-based expectations.

43. Genderqueer : a gender identity label often used by people who do not identify with the binary of man/woman or as an umbrella term for many gender non-conforming or non-binary identities (e.g., agender, bigender, genderfluid). Genderqueer people may think of themselves as one or more of the following, and they may define these terms differently: they may combine aspects man and woman and other identities (bigender, pangender), they may not identify as having a gender or identifying with a gender (genderless, agender), they may move between genders (genderfluid), they may be third gender or other-gendered. 44. GSM : an acronym for Gender and Sexual Minorities. Sometimes used in place of other acronyms (like LGBTQ+, etc) because the efforts to represent more and more identities in the original acronym led to some folks describing the ever-lengthening initialism as “Alphabet Soup,”. People will also sometimes use DSG is Diverse Genders and Sexualities instead. 45. Gynesexual/Gynephilic: attracted to woman, females, and/or femininity 46. Heteronormativity : the 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. Often included in this concept is a level of gender normativity and gender roles, the assumption that individuals should identify as men and women, and be masculine men and feminine women, and finally that men and women are a complimentary pair. 47. Heterosexism : behavior that grants preferential treatment to heterosexual people, reinforces the idea that heterosexuality is somehow better or more “right” than queerness, or makes other sexualities invisible 48. Heterosexual : a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex. Also known as straight . 49. Homophobia : an umbrella term for a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have towards members of LGBTQ community. The term can also connote a fear, disgust, or dislike of being perceived as LGBTQ. The term is extended to bisexual and transgender people as well; however, the terms biphobia and transphobia are used to emphasize the specific biases against individuals of bisexual and transgender communities. May be experienced inwardly as an individual begins to question their own sexuality. 50. Homosexual : a [often medical/scientific] term used to describe a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same sex/gender. This term is considered by some to be stigmatizing due to its history as a category of mental illness, and some discourage it for common use (and encourage the use of gay or lesbian instead). As an example, there was a study done prior to DADT (Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell) being revoked about peoples’ feelings towards open queer service members. When asked, “How do you feel about open gay and lesbian service members,” there was about 65% support (at the time).” When the question was changed to, “How do you feel about open homosexual service members,” with the same demographic of people being asked support dropped over 20%. There are different connotations to the word homosexual then there are to gay/lesbian individuals that are powerful and salient both to straight and queer people. 51. Intersex: describes a person whose combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals differs from the two expected patterns of male or female. In the medical field, the term DSD (“Differing/Disorders of Sex Development”) is

often used as a diagnosis. Formerly known as hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic), but these terms are now considered outdated and derogatory. 52. Lesbian : a term used to describe females/women-identified people attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other females/women -identified people. The term lesbian is derived from the name of the Greek island of Lesbos and as such is sometimes considered a Eurocentric category that does not necessarily represent the identities of Black women and other non-European ethnic groups. However, many individual women from diverse ethnic groups, including Black women, embrace the term “lesbian” as an identity label. Some lesbian women also will describe themselves as gay, this is a personal choice. Many prefer the term gay because it is more often used as an adjective while lesbian is often used as a noun. 53. LGBTQ: An acronym that collectively refers to individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. It is sometimes stated as LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender), GLBT (gay, lesbian, bi, and transgender). The addition of the Q is a more recently preferred version of the acronym as cultural opinions of the term queer focus increasingly on its positive, reclaimed definition, which recognizes more fluid identities; and as a move towards greater inclusivity for gender expansive people. The Q can also stand for questioning, referring to those who are still exploring their own sexuality and/or gender. 54. Misgendering: Attributing a gender to someone that is incorrect/does not align with their gender identity. Can occur when using pronouns, gendered language (i.e. “Hello ladies!” “Hey guys”), or assigning genders to people without knowing how they identify (i.e. “Well, since we’re all women in this room, we understand…”). 55. MSM / WSW: abbreviations for the terms “men who have sex with men” and “women who have sex with women,”. Used to distinguish sexual behaviors from sexual identities (e.g., just because a man identifies as straight, it doesn’t mean he’s not having sex with men). Most often used in the health field, particularly in the area of HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and treatment. 56. Mx.: a title (like Mr., Ms., etc.) that is gender neutral. Typically pronounced “mix”. It is often the option of choice for folks who do not identify within the cisgender binary. 57. Non-Binary: used to describe people who feel their gender cannot be defined within the margins of gender binary. Instead, they understand their gender in a way that goes beyond simply identifying as either a man or woman. Sometimes used as an umbrella term for any gender identity that does not fit into the male-female binary (e.g. gender queer, agender, gender expansive, gender nonconforming, etc). Sometimes shortened to “Enby”. 58. Omnisexual: used to describe people who are attracted to those of all gender identities and sexual orientations. Omnisexuality is in the category of multisexuality, which includes people who are attracted to more than one gender, such as people who identify as bisexual or pansexual. While some see omnisexual as being synonymous with pansexual, some make a distinction between these terms. This distinction is typically described as pansexual referring to those who are attracted to people regardless of gender (sometimes called “gender blind”) and omnisexual referring to people who are simply attracted to many/all genders. In other words, omnisexual people see and appreciate gender as a part of what attracts them to others, they just are attracted to many/all gender identities/expressions 59. Outing : involuntary or unwanted disclosure of another person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status.

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60. Pansexual : used to describe people whose emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction is to people of all genders/sexes or a person whose sexual, romantic, and/or physical attraction is not based on or affected by gender (i.e. attraction regardless of sex/gender). Capable of being attracted to many/any gender(s). Sometimes the term omnisexual is used in the same manner. “Pansexual” is being used more and more frequently as more people acknowledge that gender is not binary. Often included under the umbrella of multisexuality and sometimes used interchangeably with bisexuality. Sometimes shortened to pan. 61. Passing : as a verb, is a term used to describe for trans* people being accepted as, or able to “pass for,” a member of their self-identified gender/sex identity (regardless of birth sex) without being identified as trans* and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer people perceived by other as straight. Passing is a controversial term because it often is focusing on the person who is observing or interacting with the individual who is “passing” and puts the power/authority in observer rather than giving agency to the individual. While some people are looking to “pass” or perhaps more accurately be accepted for the identity that they feel most aligns with who they are, “passing” is not always a positive experience. Some individuals experience a sense of erasure or a feeling of being invisible to their own community when they are perceived to be part of the dominant group. 62. Polyamory/Polyamorous : refers to the practice of, desire to, or orientation towards having ethically, honest, consensually non-monogamous relationships (i.e. relationships that may include multiple partners). This may include open relationships, polyfidelity (which involves more than two people being in romantic and/or sexual relationships which is not open to additional partners), amongst many other set ups. Some poly(amorous) people have a “primary” relationship or relationship(s) and then “secondary” relationship(s) which may indicate different allocations of resources, time, or priority, but this is not always the case. Polyamorous relationships come in many forms. 63. Questioning : exploring one’s own sexual orientation or gender identity; or an individual who is exploring their own sexual orientation and gender identity. 64. Queer : used as an umbrella term to describe individuals who don’t identify as straight. Also used to describe people who have non-normative gender identity. Due to its historical use as a derogatory term, it is not embraced or used by all members of the LGBTQ community. The term queer can often be used interchangeably with LGBTQ. If a person tells you they are not comfortable with you referring to them as queer, don’t. Always respect individual’s preferences when it comes to identity labels, particularly contentious ones (or ones with troubled histories) like this one. Use the word queer only if you are comfortable explaining to others what it means, because some people feel uncomfortable with the word, it is best to know/feel comfortable explaining why you choose to use it if someone inquires. 65. Romantic Attraction: an affinity for someone that evokes the want to engage in relational intimate behavior (e.g., flirting, dating, marriage), experienced in varying degrees (from little-to-non, to intense). Often conflated with sexual attraction. 66. Same Gender Loving (SGL ): a term sometimes used, particularly by members of the African-American / Black community, to express a romantic/sexual attraction to the same gender 67. Sex: Refers to anatomical, physiological, genetic, or physical attributes that define if a person is male, female, or intersex. These include both primary and secondary sex characteristics, including genitalia, gonads, hormone levels, hormone receptors, chromosomes, and genes. Sex is often conflated or interchanged with gender, which is more social than biological, though there is some overlap.

68. Sexual Attraction: an affinity for someone that evokes the want to engage in physical intimate behavior (e.g., kissing, touching, intercourse), experienced in varying degrees (from little-to-non, to intense). Often conflated with romantic attraction 69. Sexual Orientation : the type of sexual and/or romantic one feels for others, often labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to (often mistakenly referred to as sexual preference) 70. Sexual Preference : the types of sexual intercourse, stimulation, and gratification one likes to receive and participate in. Generally when this term is used by the general public, it is being mistakenly interchanged with “sexual orientation,” creating an illusion that one has a choice (or “preference”) in who they are attracted to 71. Skoliosexual : used to describe a person who is attracted to genderqueer, non- binary, and/or transgender people and expressions 72. T: Often used in the queer community as an abbreviation for testosterone. 73. Third Gender: a term for a person who does not identify as either a man or a woman but identifies with another gender. This gender category is used by societies that recognize three or more genders, both now and during early points in history. It is also a conceptual term meaning different things to different people who use it, but generally is seen as a way to move beyond the gender binary. 74. Top Surgery : this term refers to surgeries performed on the chest (either breast reduction/removal or breast augmentation) as a part of gender transition 75. Trans* /Transgender : Used to describe a person whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Sometimes also used as an umbrella term covering a range of identities that transgress socially defined gender norms. Trans with an * is often used to indicate that you are using the term in this way (as an umbrella term). 76. Transition/transitioning : this term is primarily used to refer to the process a trans* person undergoes when changing their bodily appearance either to be more congruent with their gender identity and/or gender expression. It is sometimes also used to refer to other aspects of change trans* people may make, however, including legal transitioning (e.g. changing legal name, changing sex markers on documents, etc) or social transitioning (e.g. asking others to use different pronouns, changing outward gender expression to match gender identity, etc). 77. Transman: used to describe a trans person who identifies as male but was assigned a female sex at birth. Often used as a way to signify that they are men while still affirming their experience as a trans person. Sometimes “transguy” is used instead. 78. Transwoman : used to describe a trans person who identifies as female but was assigned a male sex at birth. Often used to signify that they are women while still affirming their history a trans person. 79. Transphobia : an umbrella term for a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have towards trans* people. The term can also connote a fear, disgust, or dislike of being perceived as trans*. Transphobia can be seen within the queer community, as well as in general society. 80. Transsexual : a less frequently used term which refers to people who medically transition (e.g. use hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries) to better align their bodies with their gender identity. This is an older term and is now considered by some to be outdated and possibly offensive. However others prefer this term and feel it is the best

one to describe their identity. Because of this, some people who identify as transsexual do not identify as transgender and vice versa – so always be very careful to respect people’s preferences for identity labels! 81. Two-Spirit: refers to a person who identifies as having both a masculine and a feminine spirit, and is used by some Indigenous people to describe their sexual, gender and/or spiritual identity. As an umbrella term it may encompass same-sex attraction and a wide variety of gender variance, including people who might be described in Western culture as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, gender queer, cross-dressers or who have multiple gender identities.

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