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LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, changing and often denote different things to different people. They are provided below as a starting point for discussion and understanding. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the early s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help give others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they mean when they use a term, especially when they use it to explain their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a designation for themselves.
“If I didn't specify myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde
This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. T
2SLGBTQ+: What does it mean?
2SLGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Attracted to both genders, Transgender, Queer or Questioning and additional sexual orientations and gender identities. Here, Kids Help Smartphone shares information about sexual orientations, gender identities and commonly used terms to better understand yourself and those around you. Any and all combinations of sexual orientations and gender identities are possible and unusual to each individual. This page is for anyone, however you identify.
Kids Assist Phone knows that while you may use any of &#x; or even a combination of &#x; the words under the 2SLGBTQ+ umbrella to explain yourself, it doesn&#x;t necessarily mean that you feel fond of a part of the 2SLGBTQ+ collective as a whole, and that&#x;s OK. You also don&#x;t need to opt for any identifiers or labels until and if / when you&#x;re ready. We support you in using the language that feels optimal for you.
What is sexual orientation?
Sexual orientation describes the way a person feels toward people of a particular (or more than one) gender physi
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ people organizations and leaders. Observe acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender verbalization, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they apply to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression 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 womxn loving womxn, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering encourage 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
List of LGBTQ+ terms
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Abro (sexual and romantic)
A word used to explain people who have a fluid sexual and/or love-related orientation which changes over time, or the course of their life. They may use different terms to describe themselves over time.
Ace
An umbrella term used specifically to describe a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of sexual attraction. This encompasses asexual people as well as those who identify as demisexual and grey-sexual. Ace people who experience quixotic attraction or occasional sexual attraction might also operate terms such as lgbtq+, bi, lesbian, straight and queer in conjunction with asexual to describe the direction of their amorous or sexual attraction.
Ace and aro/ace and aro spectrum
Umbrella terms used to explain the wide group of people who experience a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of love-related and/or sexual attraction, including a lack of attraction. People who identify under these umbrella terms may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including, but not limited to, asexual, ace,