Educational Resources

Definitions and Terminology

There is a wide variety of definitions and terminology regarding gender, sexual orientation, and identity. Below, please find a non-exhaustive glossary of terms with respective definitions pertaining to the LGBTQIA+ community, as defined by the PFLAG National Glossary.

Ally: This term is used to describe an individual who is supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and the community, either personally or as an advocate. Allies include both heterosexual and cisgender people who advocate for equality in partnership with LGBTQ+ people, as well as people within the LGBTQ+ community who advocate for others in the community.

Androgynous: Having physical elements of both femininity and masculinity, whether expressed through sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. Androgyne is another term for an androgynous individual.

Asexual: Sometimes abbreviated as ace, the term refers to an individual who does not experience sexual attraction. Each asexual person experiences relationships, attraction, and arousal differently. Asexuality is distinct from chosen behavior such as celibacy or sexual abstinence; asexuality is a sexual orientation that does not necessarily define sexual behaviors.

BIPOC: Acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. It acknowledges the specific histories of Black and African American, Latino/a/x, Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders (API), and Native and Indigenous people within the United States without collapsing them into a homogenous category of people of color.

Bisexual: Commonly referred to as bi or bi+, the term refers to a person who acknowledges in themselves the potential to be attracted-romantically, emotionally and/or sexually-to people of more than one gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or to the same degree.

Cisgender: A term used to refer to an individual whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth.

Coming Out: For LGBTQ+ people, coming out is the process of self-identifying and self-acceptance that entails the sharing of their identity with others. Individuals often recognize [their] identity within themselves first, and then might choose to reveal it to others. Coming out can be an incredibly personal and transformative experience. It is critical to respect where each person is within their process of self-identification, and up to each person, individually, to decide if and when and to whom to come out or disclose.

Drag: The theatrical performance of one or multiple genders (often including makeup, costume, dance, lip-syncing, and temporary body modifications). Performers who present in a feminine manner are called Drag Queens, while performers who present in a masculine manner are called Drag Kings. Drag performance refers to expression and performance, which is different from transgender, which refers to gender identity.

Gay: A term used to describe people who are emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to people of the same gender. The terms should not be used as an umbrella term for LGBTQ+ people because it excludes other sexual orientations and genders.

Gender: Gender is a set of socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate related to a person's assigned sex.

Gender Binary: The disproven concept that there are only two genders, male and female, and that everyone must be one or the other. Also often misused to assert that gender is biologically determined.

Gender Expression: The manner in which a person communicates about gender to others through external means such as clothing, appearance, or mannerisms. This communication may be conscious or subconscious and may or may not reflect their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Gender Identity: A person's deeply held core sense of self in relation to gender. Gender identity does not always correspond to biological sex. Gender identity is a separate concept from sexuality and gender expression.

Gender Neutral: Not gendered. Can refer to language (including pronouns and salutations/titles [such as Mx. or M.]), spaces (like bathrooms), or other aspects of society (like colors or occupations). Gender neutral is not a term to describe people.

Genderfluid: Describes a person who does not consistently adhere to one fixed gender and who may move among genders.

Genderqueer: Refers to individuals who blur preconceived boundaries of gender in relation to the gender binary; they can also reject commonly held ideas of static gender identities.

Heterosexual: Refers to a person who is sexually attracted to a person of a different gender or sex. Also referred to as straight.

Homosexual: A term to describe gay, lesbian, or queer people which may be offensive depending on the speaker. Originally used as a scientific or clinical term to describe LGBTQ+ people, the word has been reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community and may be colloquially used by an LGBTQ+ person to reference themselves or another member of the community. Non-LGBTQ+ people should avoid using the term.

Intersectionality: Coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw, this term refers to the overlap of social categorizations or identities such as race and ethnicity, sexuality, gender, disability, geography, and class which exist in an individual or group of people that can contribute to discrimination or disadvantage.

Intersex: Intersex is the current term used to refer to people who are biologically between the medically expected definitions of male and female. This can be through variations in hormones, chromosomes, internal or external genitalia, or any combination of any or all primary and/or secondary sex characteristics. As intersex is about biological sex, it is distinct from gender identity and sexual orientation.

Latinx: A gender-neutral term- sometimes used in place of the gendered, binary terms Latino or Latina- used to describe a person of Latin American origin or descent.

Lesbian: Refers to a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to other women.

LGBTQ+: An acronym that collectively refers to individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. The "+" represents those who are part of the community but for whom LGBTQ does not accurately capture or reflect their identity.

For more information on the history of the LGBTQ+ acronym, please refer to GoodRx Health's article, "What Does LGBTQIA+ Stand For?"

Misgender: To refer to an individual using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, which does not correctly reflect their gender. This may be unintentional and without ill intent or can be a maliciously employed expression of bias. Regardless of intent, misgendering has a harmful impact.

Nonbinary: Refers to people who do not subscribe to the gender binary. They might exist between or beyond the man-woman binary. Some use the term exclusively, while others may use it interchangeably with terms like genderqueer, genderfluid... It can also be combined with other descriptors e.g., nonbinary woman or transmasc nonbinary. Language is imperfect, so it's important to trust and respect the words that nonbinary people use to describe their genders and experiences.

Out/Outing: A term which describes people who openly self-identify as LGBTQ+ in their private, public, and/or professional lives. There are many states of being out; individuals can be out only to themselves, close friends, or everyone. Outing is the deliberate or accidental sharing of another person's sexual orientation or gender identity without their explicit consent. Outing is disrespectful and presents a danger for many LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pansexual: Refers to a person whose emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction is to people inclusive of all genders.

Passing: With sexuality, the act of presenting as straight. With gender, the act of presenting as cisgender or gender-typical, which is generally accomplished through conforming to gender roles. People may try to pass in anti-LGBTQ+ environments to ensure their safety.

Pronouns/Neopronouns: The words used to refer to a person other than their name. Common pronouns are they/them, he/him, and she/her. Neopronouns are pronouns created ti be specifically gender-neutral, including xe/xem, ze/zir, and fae/faer. Pronouns are sometimes called Personal Gender Pronouns, or PGPs. For those who use pronouns- and not all people do- they are not preferred, they are essential.

QTPOC: Acronym for Queer and Trans People of Color. This term emphasizes the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation.

Queer: A term used by some LGBTQ+ people to describe themselves and/or their community. Reclaimed from its earlier negative use- and valued by some for its defiance- the term is also considered by some to be inclusive of the entire community and by others who find it to be an appropriate term to describe their more fluid identities. Due to its varying meanings, use this word only when self-identifying or quoting an individual who self-identifies as queer.

Sex: Also referred to as Biological Sex. Refers to anatomical, physiological, genetic, or physical attributes that determine 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. Biological sex is often conflated or interchanged with gender, which is more societal than biological, and involves personal identity factors.

Sexual Orientation: The sexual attraction toward other people or no people. While sexual activity involves the choices one makes regarding behavior, one's sexual activity does not define one's sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is part of the human condition, and all people have one. Typically, it is attraction that helps determine orientation.

Transgender: Often shortened to trans. A term describing a person's gender identity that does not necessarily match their assigned sex at birth. Transgender people may or may not decide to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically to match their gender identity. This word is also used as an umbrella term to describe groups of people who transcend conventional expectations of gender identity or expression. "Trans" is often considered more inclusive than transgender.

Two-Spirit: According to the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB), a term used within some American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) communities to refer to a person who identifies as having both a male and a female essence or spirit. The term- created in 1990 by a group of AI/AN activists at an annual Native LGBTQ conference- encompasses sexual, gender, and spiritual identities, and provides unifying, positive, and encouraging language that emphasizes reconnecting to tribal traditions. Non-Indigenous people should not use this term.

For more information on the history of Two-Spirit, please refer to The Indigenous Foundation's article, "The History of Two-Spirit Folks."