LGBTQIA+
Resource Pathfinder
To make searching for information and navigating LGBTQIA+ spaces easier for you, we’ve collected and defined a list of commonly used terms within the community. If you’ve searched this list and can’t find what you’re looking for or would like a more in-depth vocabulary, use this link to Teen Health Source and take a look at their list.
Planned Parenthood also has a good list of definitions for various health-related terms, including those relating to intersex conditions.
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IMPORTANT: If you’re looking for terms related to romantic and sexual attraction, it’s important to know that while most people have romantic and sexual attractions that “match” (ex. many heterosexual people are also heteroromantic), this is not true for everyone! Because most people have “matching” identities, many people use terms like “heterosexual” or “bisexual” to indicate both sexual AND romantic attraction. This is a useful shorthand, and many people who don’t have matching identities also use this convention (ex. a biromantic asexual person may still refer to themselves as bisexual). The most important thing is to be kind to yourself and your fellow community members, and don’t attack other people over their gender identity or their romantic/sexual attraction identifiers. Respect the pronouns of others, as well as requests to avoid certain terminology when identifying an individual. These requests aren’t personal attacks on you and/or your identity, and adhering to them demonstrates both politeness and your respect for the wishes of the other person. For example, a trans woman may be uncomfortable being called “dude,” while a LGBTQIA+ individual may be uncomfortable being called “queer” due to negative past experiences. You can respect both of these people by not calling them “dude” or “queer,” while still using those terms to refer to other people and/or yourself.
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AFAB - an acronym for “Assigned Female At Birth.” Like DFAB, this is used by intersex and non-cisgender people to indicate that their “assigned” gender (the one on their birth certificate and/or other legal documentation) does not match their actual identity.
Agender - Someone who does not identify with any gender, or who identifies as gender-neutral.
AIDS - an acronym for “Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.” AIDS is a syndrome, not a directly transmitted disease, and it’s a complication caused by a HIV infection. HIV is an infection that is transmissible by unprotected sexual activity, blood contact (including sharing used needles), and from a pregnant parent to their child. You cannot catch HIV or AIDS from casual contact (including handshakes and hugs). If you think you may have been exposed or have contracted HIV (or any other sexually transmitted infection), you should see a health care provider immediately to be tested and start treatment, if necessary. HIV and AIDS are treatable illnesses, and people who are HIV positive can live long and fulfilling lives with their romantic and/or sexual partners.
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At Planned Parenthood, you can find out more information about STDs, how to get tested and treated, and what types of HIV services they offer.
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Ally - a heterosexual, cisgender person who is a supporter of and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community
AMAB - an acronym for “Assigned Male At Birth.” Like AFAB, this is used by intersex and non-cisgender people to indicate that their “assigned” gender (the one on their birth certificate and/or other legal documentation) does not match their actual identity.
Aromantic - a person who is not romantically attracted to other people, regardless of gender. Like asexuality, this exists on a spectrum and can be an umbrella term for other identities, including demiromantic.
Asexual - a person who is not sexually attracted to other people, regardless of gender. This is not the same thing as celibacy, which is a conscious choice to abstain from sexual activity regardless of any feelings of attraction. As with many sexual identities, asexuality exists on a spectrum and can be an umbrella term for other identities, including demisexual and gray-asexual. For more information and resources, check out the Asexuality Visibility & Education Network (AVEN) and the AVEN wiki.
Biromantic - a person romantically attracted to more than one gender. Some biromantic people are only attracted to two genders, while others may be attracted to additional gender identities. Biromantic and panromantic identities share many common characteristics, and definitions can vary.
Bisexual - a person sexually attracted to more than one gender. Some bisexual people are only attracted to two genders, while others may be attracted to additional gender identities. Bisexual and pansexual identities share many common characteristics, and definitions can vary. Some bisexual people may also identify as pansexual or under the bisexual/bi+ umbrella, while others may not. For more information and resources about bisexuality, check out the Bisexual Resource Center.
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Body Safe - a term generally used when talking about materials used to make sex toys and/or gender expression aids. “Body safe” means the item in question is made from materials and/or chemicals that are nontoxic for use inside the human body, the item itself is nonporous, and can be sterilized either via boiling in water or submersion in a 10% bleach solution. Planned Parenthood has more information on this topic on their Tumblr.
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Butch - Someone who presents a masculine gender expression. Often, though not always, used by lesbians and queer women.
Cisgender - a term referring to someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
Closeted - Someone who has not told others their sexual orientation or gender identity, also known as being “in the closet”. Queer people remain closeted for a variety of reasons, often involving safety or comfort, and can be out of the closet in some situations while still closeted in others.
Conversion Therapy - The practice of trying to change a person’s sexual identity from non-heterosexual to heterosexual, often using spiritual or psychological methods or appeals. This practice is pseudoscientific at best, and has been shown to be both ineffective and harmful. Conversion therapy for minors has been banned in several U.S. states, as well as various countries worldwide. The American Psychological Association has issued a statement against conversion therapy as well as an information brochure for educators. In 2014, the United Nations issued a press release from its Committee Against Torture about the dangers of conversion therapy. Lastly, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released a 76-page report that includes professional consensus on conversion therapy, relevant research, and guidance for families and providers.
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DFAB - an acronym for “Designated Female At Birth.” Like AFAB, this is used by intersex and non-cisgender people to indicate that their “assigned” gender (the one on their birth certificate and/or other legal documentation) does not match their actual identity.
Domestic Abuse/Violence - a type of abuse/violence that occurs between people sharing a home or living together. If the abuse also occurs within the context of a romantic and/or sexual relationship, then that is a type of intimate partner violence. If you are experiencing abuse, you can find resources on our Relationships page.
Dysphoria - The discomfort and/or distress that a person experiences related to biological sex or gender. It can include, but is not limited to, feelings of wanting to be or be treated as a gender different from one’s assigned gender, feeling a disconnect between one’s gender identity and one’s physical characteristics, and/or wanting physical characteristics of a different gender.
DMAB - an acronym for “Designated Male At Birth.” Like AMAB, this is used by intersex and non-cisgender people to indicate that their “assigned” gender (the one on their birth certificate and/or other legal documentation) does not match their actual identity.
Drag - generally refers to wearing clothing of the opposite gender, popularized in the mainstream through RuPaul’s Drag Race. “Drag Queen” generally refers to a male wearing typically female clothing and performing in a female persona in a drag show, while “Drag King” generally refers to a female wearing typically male clothing and performing in a male persona. However, trans people can and do perform in drag, and this does not negate or invalidate their gender identity regardless of the drag persona they portray.
Feminist - a person who subscribes to the feminist movement, which is a very broad collection of ideologies that has existed and developed throughout time. For a more in-depth look at feminism and how it has changed and developed over time, the Wikipedia page is an excellent place to start. Feminists are broadly understood as people who support gender equality.
Femme - Someone who presents a feminine gender expression. Often, though not always, used by lesbians and queer women.
FTM - an acronym for “female to male.” This can be used to indicate a trans man who was assigned female at birth.
Gay - a common term for a homosexual person, this can refer broadly to all homosexual individuals, but is commonly used to refer to homosexual men while “lesbian” is used to refer to homosexual women.
Gender - As distinct from sex, the social and cultural behaviors related to masculinity, femininity, and everything in between or outside those two points. The “gender binary” is the idea that the only distinct genders are male and female, but a more accurate description of gender would be as a spectrum. A person’s gender may or may not align with their biological sex.
Components of gender include gender expression, which refers to how someone outwardly presents their gender (this may include names, pronouns, and clothing and dress), and gender identity, which is a person’s understanding of and feelings about their gender.
Genderfluid - Someone whose gender identity changes or shifts; someone who does not identify with a fixed gender.
Genderqueer - Someone whose gender identity is not exclusively masculine or exclusively feminine. Often related to or overlapping with non-binary gender identities.
Heteronormative - the often overwhelming cultural, societal, and often legal pressure to conform to the gender binary and exist in a heterosexual lifestyle. Also the basic and erroneous assumption that every person is cisgender and heterosexual until stated or proven otherwise.
Heteroromantic - a person who is romantically attracted only to people of a different gender than themselves. The most common expression of this is a woman who is attracted to men, or a man who is attracted to women.
Heterosexual - a person who is sexually attracted only to people of a different gender than themselves. The most common expression of this is a woman who is attracted to men, or a man who is attracted to women.
HIV - an acronym for “Human Immunodeficiency Virus.” HIV is an infection that is transmissible by unprotected sexual activity, blood contact (including sharing used needles), and from a pregnant parent to their child. You cannot catch HIV from casual contact (including handshakes and hugs). If you think you may have been exposed or have contracted HIV (or any other sexually transmitted infection), you should see a health care provider immediately to be tested and start treatment, if necessary. HIV is a treatable illness, and people who are HIV positive can live long and fulfilling lives with their romantic and/or sexual partners.
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At Planned Parenthood, you can find out more information about STDs, how to get tested and treated, and what types of HIV services they offer.
Homophobia - Prejudice towards LGBTQIA+ people.
Homosexual - a person who is sexually attracted only to people of the same gender. The most common expression of this is a woman who is attracted to other women, or a man who is attracted to other men.
Homoromantic - a person who is romantically attracted only to people of the same gender. The most common expression of this is a woman who is attracted to other women, or a man who is attracted to other men.
Intersectionality - The idea that people face different and overlapping forms of oppression due to the different parts of their identity, including race, gender, class, sexuality, and age.
Intersex - a broad umbrella term referring to a number of “atypical” presentations of sexual characteristics and/or variations in chromosomes (among other biological factors) that do not fit into “typical” male or female categories. These have been referred to as “disorders of sex development” in medical literature. Intersex people face unique challenges among the LGBTQIA+ community in that many of them face (or have faced in the past) unnecessary or unwanted medical intervention to “correct” their gender presentation and/or “assign” them to a particular gender. Planned Parenthood has a wealth of information that can answer the following questions:
What happens during puberty if I’m intersex?
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The Intersex Society of North America also has a FAQ.
The American Library Association also has a resource guide with a glossary, fiction & non-fiction books, chapters, internet resources, and support groups/networks.
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Lesbian - a common term for a homosexual woman.
LGBTQIA+ - an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans*/Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, plus more!” This acronym (sometimes shortened to LGBTQ or LGBT) is an umbrella term refers to the entire community of non-heterosexual and/or non-cisgender people. The “plus” section refers to the wide range of sexual and gender identities of people encompassed by LGBTQIA+ but not specifically mentioned in the acronym, including pansexual, non-binary, and agender people. While other acronyms exist, LGBTQIA+ (or LGBTQ/LGBT) is the most widely recognized.
Monogamy - A type of relationship in which a person has only one romantic and/or sexual partner at one time.
MTF - an acronym for “male to female.” This can be used to indicate a trans woman who was assigned male at birth.
Non-binary - An umbrella term that covers people whose gender identity is not exclusively masculine or exclusively feminine. This may include genderqueer, agender, or genderfluid people, as well as a wide range of other gender identities.
Panromantic - a person romantically attracted to multiple or all genders, generally without regard for gender or sex. Biromantic and panromantic identities share many common characteristics, and definitions can vary.
Pansexual - a person sexually attracted to multiple or all genders, generally without regard for gender or sex. Bisexual and pansexual identities share many common characteristics, and definitions can vary. Some pansexual people may also identify as bisexual or under the bisexual/bi+ umbrella, while others may not. The University of Arizona published a guide with helpful information about bisexuality and pansexuality, as well as some potentially useful resources. GLAAD has a short article on how pansexual celebrities define their own identity, and Teen Vogue has a very in-depth article about bisexuality, pansexuality, and gender.
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Polyamory - A type of relationship in which a person has ongoing romantic and/or sexual relationships with more than one person.
Pronouns - The words used to refer to the people talking (i.e. I, you) or the people or things being talked about (i.e. it, that, she, them). Common pronouns that people use to refer to themselves include: she/her, he/him, they/them, ze/hir, e/em, and xe/xem.
The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee has an in-depth guide to gender pronouns.
Queer - An umbrella term for people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Some people prefer not to use it due to its history as a pejorative label, while others have reclaimed it as a symbol of LGBTQIA+ power and identity. Queer can be used to describe one's sexual orientation when other labels (lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc.) don't seem to fit.
Safer sex - Responsible practices during shared sexual activities that reduce the risks of pregnancy and/or transferral of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs). These can include using various methods of birth control, using condoms and/or dental dams, and regularly being tested for STIs.
Sex - The biological and chromosomal characteristics that determine whether a person is male, female, or intersex. Not to be confused with gender.
STD/STI - acronyms standing for “Sexually Transmitted Disease” or “Sexually Transmitted Infection,” the terms are often used somewhat interchangeably. Examples of STIs are HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and herpes. If you think you may have been exposed or have contracted a sexually transmitted infection, you should see a health care provider immediately to be tested and start treatment, if necessary.
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At Planned Parenthood, you can find out more information about STDs and how to get tested and treated.
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Straight - a common term for a heterosexual person.
TERF - an acronym for “Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist,” this is somewhat misleading in that it implies the ideologies are widely accepted by mainstream feminists. Individuals who fall in this category espouse transphobic views and generally claim that trans people are women who are so repressed by the patriarchy that they are pretending to be men, or men who are pretending to be women in order to prey on and oppress women. These ideas are not a part of mainstream feminism.
Transgender/Trans* - Someone whose gender identity does not match the sex that they were assigned at birth.
Transitioning - A process of changing aspects of one’s gender expression or presentation in order to match one’s gender identity. This can be socially (by coming out to one’s friends and family, by using different pronouns), legally (by changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents), medically (by having surgery or hormone therapy), or any combination of the three. There is no one way to transition, and how people transition and how long the process takes depends on the individual and their wants and needs.
Transmisogyny - Prejudice towards transgender women, based on a combination of transphobia and misogyny.
Transphobia - Prejudice towards people who are transgender or otherwise do not conform to the gender binary and/or their assigned gender.
Two-Spirit - a term specific to Native and Indigenous cultures in North America that refers to individuals who exist outside of the gender binary. There is a long history of oppression of two-spirited individuals post-European contact, and thus is a very sensitive term. This term is highly culturally specific and SHOULD NOT be used by anyone outside of those communities.
Victim Blaming - The practice of holding a victim of crime or oppression responsible for what happened to them, instead of holding the perpetrator responsible. This often relates to systems of power and oppression, and it is important to know that victims are never at fault.