Lgbt categories
47 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior, and Orientation
It’s OK to feel unsure or overwhelmed by all of the terms we now have to illustrate sexual and romantic orientation, attraction, and behavior.
Expanding the language you operate to describe your sexuality can provide important guidance, validation, and access to community while on your journey of sexual self-discovery and satisfaction.
Mere Abrams is a researcher, writer, educator, consultant, and licensed clinical social worker who reaches a worldwide audience through public speaking, publications, social media (@meretheir), and gender therapy and support services practice . Mere uses their personal experience and diverse professional background to support individuals exploring gender and help institutions, organizations, and businesses to raise gender literacy and recognize opportunities to demonstrate gender inclusion in products, services, programs, projects, and content.
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
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*NOTE: Seek people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender self and gender verbalization before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of thi
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help grant people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable. LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A designation used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Queer people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ people who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The dread and hatred of, or discomfort with
People are often confused by the terms lesbian, male lover, bisexual, transgender, queer and the related acronym LGBTQIA+. The following definitions will help you to comprehend these terms.
LGBTQIA+: The first four letters of this standard abbreviation are “Lesbian, queer , bisexual and transgender.” The letter Q can be upright for “questioning” -- as in still exploring one’s sexuality -- or “queer,” or sometimes both. The I,A and + were added on later to stand for Intersex, Ally or Asexual, and the PLUS sign for everyone else that wasn't included in the first letters.
Lesbian: A woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to some other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women. Avoid spotting lesbians as “homosexuals,” a derogatory term (see Revolting Terms to Avoid).
Gay: The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, amorous and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (e.g., gay man, gay people). I