LGBTQ+ Glossary of Terms

A model of healthcare that affirms a patient's LGBTQ+ identity as a healthy and normal variation of human experience, rather than treating it as a disorder to be corrected. Affirmative care for transgender people includes providing or supporting gender-affirming medical interventions. Affirmative care for LGBTQ+ people broadly includes using correct names and pronouns, not assuming sexual orientation, and providing care informed by LGBTQ+ health research.

A person who does not identify as LGBTQ+ but who actively supports LGBTQ+ rights, dignity, and equality. Being an ally involves more than accepting LGBTQ+ people. It involves actively speaking up against discrimination, educating oneself on LGBTQ+ issues, listening to LGBTQ+ people, and using privilege to create more equitable spaces. Allyship is a practice and a verb, not just a label.

Laws that prohibit discrimination against protected classes of people in areas such as employment, housing, and public accommodations. As of 2020, the Supreme Court ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. However, protections in housing and public accommodations are patchwork and vary by state. Many states do not have explicit legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, meaning discrimination in these areas may be legal.

A romantic orientation characterized by little or no romantic attraction to others. Aromantic people may still experience sexual attraction and may have fulfilling sexual relationships. Aromanticism exists on a spectrum. Aromantic people often build deep connections through friendship, chosen family, and community rather than romantic partnership. Being aromantic is a valid orientation, not a flaw.

A sexual orientation characterized by little or no sexual attraction to others. Asexual people may still experience romantic attraction and may have fulfilling romantic relationships. Asexuality exists on a spectrum. Some asexual people experience occasional sexual attraction under specific circumstances (graysexual), while others experience no sexual attraction at all. Being asexual does not mean celibate and is not a disorder.

An underground art form and community originating in New York City in the 1920s, with roots primarily in Black and Latino gay and trans communities. Balls are events where participants compete in categories based on gender expression, performance, and fashion. Ball culture developed the concepts of "houses" (chosen family structures led by "mothers" and "fathers") and gave rise to voguing as a dance form. Ball culture was brought to broader awareness through the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning and the TV series Pose.

A sexual orientation defined as attraction to one's own gender and to other genders. The "bi" in bisexual refers to same and different, not only two. Bisexual people may be attracted to people of the same gender and people of different genders in varying proportions that can shift over time. Being in a relationship with one gender does not change or cancel a person's bisexual identity.

The tendency to dismiss, ignore, or deny the existence of bisexuality, either by claiming that bisexual people are really gay or really straight depending on their current relationship, or by assuming that bisexuality is a temporary or confused state. Bisexual erasure occurs both in heterosexual society and within gay and lesbian communities and is documented as contributing to unique health disparities in bisexual populations. It is a form of discrimination.

A network of close friends, partners, and community members who provide the love, support, and belonging that many LGBTQ+ people do not receive from their biological family of origin. Chosen families are especially important for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced family rejection. They function as genuine family units, providing emotional support, housing, childcare, financial assistance, and community during celebrations and crises alike.

A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. The prefix "cis" is Latin for "on the same side." A cisgender woman was assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman. A cisgender man was assigned male at birth and identifies as a man. Cisgender is a neutral, descriptive term, not a pejorative.

The process of disclosing one's LGBTQ+ identity to others, whether to a single person or more broadly. Coming out is not a single event but an ongoing process, since new situations and relationships continuously create new decisions about disclosure. There is no obligation to come out to anyone, and each person decides when, to whom, and how to come out. Safety and readiness should always be the primary considerations. Coming out to oneself, recognizing and accepting one's own identity, often precedes coming out to others.

The concept, developed by poet and author Adrienne Rich in 1980, that heterosexuality is a socially enforced norm that is assumed to be the default for all people. Compulsory heterosexuality pressures people to conform to heterosexual behavior and relationships regardless of their actual orientation. It explains why many LGBTQ+ people spend years in relationships that do not reflect their true identity. Also discussed as a reason why some women do not initially recognize or acknowledge their attraction to other women.

Any practice that attempts to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity, including talk therapy, prayer-based programs, and medical interventions. Every major medical and psychological organization, including the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Medical Association, has condemned conversion therapy as ineffective and harmful. Research shows it causes depression, anxiety, PTSD, and increased suicide risk. More than 20 states have banned conversion therapy for minors. Survivors may benefit from trauma-informed LGBTQ+-affirming therapy.

The act of referring to a transgender or non-binary person by the name they used before they transitioned, which is called their "dead name." Deadnaming is generally considered harmful and disrespectful because it denies a person's gender identity and can cause significant psychological harm. Using a person's correct name, chosen as part of their transition, is a basic form of respect. Deadnaming is sometimes done maliciously but more often happens unintentionally; the appropriate response to being corrected is to apologize and use the correct name.

A federal law signed in 1996 that defined marriage for federal purposes as between one man and one woman, and allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states. DOMA was ruled unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor (2013), which extended federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. The Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision (2015) later established marriage equality nationally. The Respect for Marriage Act (2022) provided additional congressional protections for same-sex marriage.

A sexual orientation on the asexual spectrum in which a person only experiences sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond with someone. Demisexual people do not experience primary sexual attraction (attraction based on physical appearance alone) but may experience secondary sexual attraction once a deep connection is established. This is a valid orientation, not simply a preference or personality trait.

A policy in effect in the United States military from 1993 to 2011 that prohibited openly gay, lesbian, and bisexual people from serving in the military. Under DADT, service members could not be asked about their sexual orientation but were subject to discharge if they disclosed being gay or lesbian. It was repealed in 2011 under President Obama. Thousands of service members were discharged under DADT, and the policy caused significant harm to military personnel and their families.

In the context of gender, dysphoria refers to distress caused by the incongruence between a person's gender identity and their body, name, pronouns, or how others perceive their gender. Gender dysphoria varies widely in intensity and type among transgender and non-binary people. Not all transgender people experience dysphoria. Medical treatments including hormone therapy and surgery are among the interventions that research shows significantly reduce dysphoria.

An umbrella term for relationship structures in which all parties knowingly and consensually have multiple romantic or sexual relationships. Ethical non-monogamy includes polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, and other structures. The "ethical" component distinguishes it from infidelity: all parties are informed and have consented to the arrangement. Many LGBTQ+ people practice ethical non-monogamy, though it is not specific to LGBTQ+ identity.

In the context of gender, euphoria refers to the positive emotional experience many transgender and non-binary people feel when their gender is affirmed, whether through clothing, pronouns, social recognition, or medical transition. Gender euphoria is the counterpart to gender dysphoria and is increasingly used as a framework to affirm transgender experience in positive terms rather than focusing exclusively on distress.

See Chosen Family. A term describing the network of people outside of biological family who provide the love, care, and belonging that family members traditionally provide. Found family is particularly significant in LGBTQ+ communities where biological family rejection is common.

A sexual orientation in which a person is attracted primarily or exclusively to people of the same gender. The term is most commonly used to describe men who are attracted to men, though it is also used as a broad umbrella term by some people of any gender who are attracted to the same gender. "Gay" is widely used as both a specific and general identity label within LGBTQ+ communities.

The external presentation of one's gender through clothing, hairstyle, behavior, body language, and other cues. Gender expression may or may not align with a person's gender identity. A cisgender man might have a feminine gender expression. A transgender woman might have a masculine gender expression. Gender expression is separate from gender identity and from sexual orientation. Society imposes norms about appropriate gender expression, and people who violate these norms may face discrimination regardless of their identity.

A gender identity in which a person's gender experience or expression varies or shifts over time. A gender fluid person may feel more like a man on some days and more like a woman on other days, or may feel like a combination of genders, or like no gender. Gender fluidity is a valid, documented gender identity and not confusion or inconsistency.

A person's deeply felt internal experience of their own gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is not the same as gender expression, sexual orientation, or biological sex. Major medical and psychological organizations recognize gender identity as a core, stable aspect of self, not subject to change through therapy or other interventions. A person is the only authority on their own gender identity.

A broad term for people whose gender expression does not conform to the norms and expectations of their assigned sex or of a binary gender system. Gender nonconforming people may or may not identify as transgender. A cisgender man who wears traditionally feminine clothing may identify as gender nonconforming. The term describes behavior and presentation, not necessarily identity.

Surgical procedures that help align a person's physical body with their gender identity. These procedures vary widely and may include chest reconstruction (top surgery), genital reconstruction (bottom surgery), facial feminization or masculinization surgery, and others. Not all transgender people desire surgery. Medical necessity for these procedures is established by major healthcare organizations including WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health). Medically accurate terms are preferred over outdated or pejorative terminology.

Gender and Sexuality Alliance, formerly known as Gay-Straight Alliance. A student-led club in a middle or high school that provides a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. Research consistently shows that students in schools with GSAs have better mental health outcomes and lower rates of suicidal ideation. The GSA Network supports GSAs nationally. Federal law (Equal Access Act) requires that schools that allow non-curriculum student clubs must also permit GSAs.

The assumption or expectation that heterosexuality and cisgender identity are the default, normal, or superior forms of human sexual and gender experience. Heteronormativity is built into many social structures, laws, media representations, and everyday interactions, and creates environments in which LGBTQ+ people must actively assert their existence and visibility. Recognizing and dismantling heteronormativity is a core goal of LGBTQ+ advocacy.

Prejudice, fear, discrimination, or hatred toward gay and lesbian people, or toward same-sex attraction and relationships more broadly. Homophobia can be expressed interpersonally (individual acts of discrimination or harassment), institutionally (laws and policies that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people), or culturally (societal norms and media that marginalize gay and lesbian people). Internalized homophobia refers to when LGBTQ+ people direct these negative attitudes toward themselves.

Hormone Replacement Therapy, or in the context of gender-affirming care, Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT). Involves administering hormones (estrogen for feminization, testosterone for masculinization) to align physical characteristics with gender identity. HRT is one of the most effective and evidence-based interventions for gender dysphoria. Effects develop over months to years and vary by individual. Most transgender people who pursue HRT report significantly improved mental health and quality of life.

The process by which LGBTQ+ people absorb and direct negative social attitudes about homosexuality or LGBTQ+ identity toward themselves. Internalized homophobia or transphobia results from growing up in societies that stigmatize LGBTQ+ identities and can manifest as shame, self-hatred, difficulty accepting one's own identity, or engaging in harmful behaviors. Affirmative therapy directly addresses internalized stigma as a core part of treatment.

A term for people born with natural variations in sex characteristics, including chromosomes, hormones, gonads, or genitalia, that do not fit typical binary definitions of male or female. Intersex variations are naturally occurring and relatively common. Intersex people may identify as any gender. Historically, many intersex people were subjected to non-consensual medical interventions in infancy; intersex advocates argue these should not occur without the informed consent of the person.

A sexual orientation in which a woman is attracted primarily or exclusively to other women. Some non-binary people also use the term lesbian to describe their identity. The term comes from the Greek island of Lesbos, associated with the ancient poet Sappho. Lesbian identity and community have a rich history of their own within and beyond the broader LGBTQ+ movement.

The legal and constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry. In the United States, marriage equality was established nationally by the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges on June 26, 2015. The ruling held that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Respect for Marriage Act (2022) provided further congressional codification of this right.

A theoretical model developed by Dr. Ilan Meyer (2003) that explains how exposure to prejudice, discrimination, and stigma creates chronic stress in members of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ people. Minority stress has two components: distal stressors (actual discrimination and violence) and proximal stressors (internalized stigma, vigilance, concealment). This model explains why LGBTQ+ people have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and other health conditions without attributing those conditions to identity itself.

The act of referring to a person using gendered language (pronouns, titles, nouns) that does not correctly reflect their gender identity. Misgendering can cause significant distress to transgender and non-binary people. It may be done accidentally or intentionally. Accidental misgendering should be corrected immediately with a brief apology before moving on. Repeated intentional misgendering is a form of harassment. Using correct pronouns and names is a basic form of respect.

A relationship structure in which a person has one romantic or sexual partner at a time, with an exclusive commitment to that partner. Monogamy is the most widely practiced relationship structure in Western cultures but is not inherently superior to other relationship structures. Many LGBTQ+ couples practice monogamy. Others choose non-monogamous structures. Both are valid.

The legal process by which a person changes their name on legal documents. For transgender and non-binary people, legal name change is often an important step in affirming gender identity. The process varies by state and typically involves filing a petition with a court, obtaining a court order, and then updating identity documents including Social Security card, driver's license, and passport. Some states have simplified the process; others have additional requirements. QueerLine's Rights section includes a state-by-state guide.

An umbrella term for gender identities that do not fit exclusively within the categories of man or woman. Non-binary people may identify as both, neither, somewhere in between, or entirely outside the gender binary. Non-binary is sometimes used as its own specific identity and sometimes as an umbrella for genderqueer, agender, bigender, and other identities. Many but not all non-binary people identify as transgender. Singular they/them pronouns are commonly used by non-binary people.

The landmark 2015 Supreme Court case that established marriage equality as a constitutional right throughout the United States. The decision held that the fundamental right to marry extends to same-sex couples. The lead plaintiff, Jim Obergefell, sought to be listed as the surviving spouse on his husband John Arthur's death certificate. The ruling was decided 5-4. Its principles rely on the Fourteenth Amendment and are currently protected by the Respect for Marriage Act (2022).

The act of revealing someone else's sexual orientation, gender identity, or LGBTQ+ status without their knowledge and consent. Outing can cause serious harm including family rejection, job loss, housing insecurity, and violence. Every person has the right to disclose their own identity on their own timeline and to the people of their choosing. Outing someone is generally considered a serious violation of privacy and trust.

A sexual orientation defined as attraction to people of all genders, or attraction regardless of gender. Pansexual people are attracted to individuals without their gender being the determining factor. The "pan" prefix means all. Pansexuality is similar to bisexuality but emphasizes the gender-inclusive nature of the attraction. Some people use bisexual and pansexual interchangeably, while others make a distinction between the two.

An organization originally founded in 1972 as "Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays," now known simply as PFLAG. PFLAG is one of the oldest and largest organizations in the United States for LGBTQ+ people, their families, and allies. It provides education, advocacy, and support through over 400 local chapters. PFLAG is particularly well-known for supporting parents and families of LGBTQ+ people as they navigate learning about and supporting their loved ones.

A form of ethical non-monogamy in which a person has multiple romantic and often sexual relationships simultaneously, with the full knowledge and consent of all people involved. Polyamory emphasizes the emotional depth of multiple relationships, distinguishing it from purely sexual non-monogamy. Polyamorous relationships can take many forms including hierarchical partnerships, kitchen table polyamory, and solo polyamory.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. A daily medication taken by HIV-negative people to prevent HIV infection. When taken consistently, PrEP is over 99% effective at preventing HIV from sex. Available under brand names Truvada and Descovy (daily pill) and Apretude (injectable, every two months). PrEP is recommended by the CDC for all people at risk of HIV exposure. It is available at most healthcare providers and through telehealth platforms. Cost assistance is available for uninsured and underinsured people.

Both a cultural and political movement, and a series of annual events celebrating LGBTQ+ identity and community. Pride events emerged from the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, when LGBTQ+ people fought back against police raids at a New York City bar. Today, Pride events range from small community gatherings to massive parades in major cities worldwide. Pride is both a celebration of how far the LGBTQ+ rights movement has come and a continuing call for full equality.

In the context of gender, pronouns are the words used to refer to a person in the third person (she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.). Using someone's correct pronouns is a form of respect and affirmation. Many transgender and non-binary people use pronouns that differ from what might be assumed based on their appearance. Asking someone's pronouns and sharing your own in introductions is considered best practice in LGBTQ+-affirming spaces. Singular "they" has been grammatically valid in English for centuries and is commonly used by non-binary people.

An umbrella term that encompasses a broad range of sexual orientations and gender identities that are not heterosexual and cisgender. Queer has historically been used as a slur but has been reclaimed by many LGBTQ+ people as a term of identity and community. It is used as both an identity label (some people identify simply as queer) and as an inclusive collective term. Not everyone in the LGBTQ+ community uses or is comfortable with the word queer, and its use as a label for someone else should be confirmed before use.

An academic field that emerged in the early 1990s that challenges the idea of fixed, natural, or binary categories of sexual orientation and gender. Queer theory, associated with scholars including Judith Butler, Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, and Michael Warner, argues that gender and sexuality are social constructs that are performed and reinforced rather than innate. Queer theory has influenced LGBTQ+ activism, gender studies, literary criticism, and social science research.

A term for people who are exploring or uncertain about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Questioning is a normal and valid process that can occur at any age. People who are questioning are often included in LGBTQ+ spaces and communities. Some people remain questioning indefinitely without settling on a specific label, which is also a valid place to be.

A federal law signed in 2022 that requires the federal government and all states to recognize same-sex and interracial marriages that are valid in the state where they were performed. It repealed the Defense of Marriage Act and provides additional congressional protections for marriage equality beyond what the Obergefell ruling established. While it does not require states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples (which Obergefell covers), it ensures that valid marriages must be recognized even if Obergefell were ever reversed.

The Stonewall Inn was a bar in New York City's Greenwich Village that was the site of a series of spontaneous uprisings by members of the LGBTQ+ community beginning on June 28, 1969, following a police raid. The Stonewall Uprising is widely considered the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States. Key figures in the uprising included trans women of color Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. June is celebrated as Pride Month in commemoration of Stonewall.

A federal law passed in 1972 that prohibits sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding. Interpretations of whether Title IX protects LGBTQ+ students, particularly transgender students, have evolved significantly. The Biden administration's 2022 rule clarified that Title IX prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. The scope of these protections has been subject to ongoing legal and political dispute. Title IX applies to all educational institutions that receive any federal funding, including most public K-12 schools and universities.

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. A transgender woman was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman. A transgender man was assigned female at birth but identifies as a man. Not all transgender people seek or have access to medical transition. Transgender is an adjective, not a noun, and should not be used with a suffix (not "transgendered"). Being transgender is not a disorder; it is a normal variation of human experience.

Prejudice, fear, discrimination, or hatred directed at transgender people or at transgender identity and experience more broadly. Transphobia can be expressed individually, institutionally, or culturally. It includes misgendering, deadnaming, denial of access to appropriate healthcare, exclusion from gender-appropriate spaces, and violence. Transphobia affects all transgender people and is associated with significantly worse mental and physical health outcomes. Internalized transphobia can also affect transgender people themselves.

A term used by some Indigenous North American peoples to describe a person who fulfills a traditional third-gender or other gender-variant role in their culture. Two-Spirit is a translation of the Ojibwe term niizh manidoowag and broadly describes Indigenous people who embody both masculine and feminine spiritual qualities or who do not fit binary gender norms. Two-Spirit is a culturally specific term that belongs to Indigenous communities and should not be used by non-Indigenous people to describe themselves.