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Last updated: 5/31/2023

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 give 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 term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community 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 fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.

Bisexual | A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.

Gay | A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.

Genderqueer | Genderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as "genderqueer" may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories.

Gender binary | A system in which gender is constructed into two strict categories of male or female. Gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth and gender expressions and roles fit traditional expectations.

Gender dysphoria | Clinically significant distress caused when a person's assigned birth gender is not the same as the one with which they identify.

Gender-expansive | A person with a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression than typically associated with the binary gender system. Often used as an umbrella term when referring to young people still exploring the possibilities of their gender expression and/or gender identity.

Gender expression | External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.

Gender-fluid | A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender or has a fluid or unfixed gender identity.

Homophobia | The fear and hatred of or discomfort with people who are attracted to members of the same sex.

Intersex | Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy. There is a wide variety of difference among intersex variations, including differences in genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits.

Lesbian | A woman who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women. Women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.

LGBTQ+ | An acronym for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer" with a "+" sign to recognize the limitless sexual orientations and gender identities used by members of our community.

Non-binary | An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do. Non-binary can also be used as an umbrella term encompassing identities such as agender, bigender, genderqueer or gender-fluid.

Outing | Exposing someone's lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender or gender non-binary identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.

Pansexual | Describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with bisexual.

Queer | A term people often use to express a spectrum of identities and orientations that are counter to the mainstream. Queer is often used as a catch-all to include many people, including those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. This term was previously used as a slur, but has been reclaimed by many parts of the LGBTQ+ movement.

Questioning | A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Same-gender loving | A term some prefer to use instead of lesbian, gay or bisexual to express attraction to and love of people of the same gender.

Sex assigned at birth | The sex, male, female or intersex, that a doctor or midwife uses to describe a child at birth based on their external anatomy.

Sexual orientation | An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual's sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.

Transgender | An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.

Transitioning | A series of processes that some transgender people may undergo in order to live more fully as their true gender. This typically includes social transition, such as changing name and pronouns, medical transition, which may include hormone therapy or gender affirming surgeries, and legal transition, which may include changing legal name and sex on government identity documents. Transgender people may choose to undergo some, all or none of these processes.

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This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to make conversations about sexual orientation and gender expression easier.

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https://www.diversitymel.com/teaching-resources

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How India’s Supreme Court Could Make Same-Sex Marriage Legal

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India’s highest court will hear arguments on the landmark case for the global movement for LGBTQ rights on March 13

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Making Schools Safe for LGBTQ+ Community

Schools should be a young person's primary center for learning, growing, and building a foundation for success in the world. High school can be challenging for any student, but LGBTQ+ youth face additional obstacles of harassment, abuse, and violence.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer bullying is alarming. In fact 9 out of 10 LGBTQ+ students reported being harassed and bullied last year.

Over one-third of LGBTQ+ students are physically assaulted at school because their sexual orientation and gender identity are different than those of heterosexual students.

About two-thirds of LGBTQ+ students reported having ever been sexually harassed (e.g., sexual remarks made, being touched inappropriately) in school in the past year.

Over half of all students report hearing homophobic remarks often at school. More than 30% reported missing at least a day of school in the past month out of fear for their personal safety.

LGBTQ+ students at schools with comprehensive policies on bullying and harassment are much more likely to report harassment to school authorities who, in turn, were more likely to respond effectively.

The average GPA for students who were frequently physically harassed because of their sexual orientation was half a grade lower than that of other students.

LGBTQ+ students are twice as likely to say that they were not planning on completing high school or going on to college.

Gay teens are 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide and 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection.

Treating LGBTQ+ Students With Respect

The language used against LGBTQ+ students is unconscionable. LGBTQ+ Students, like any other students deserve to be treated with tolerance, respect and dignity because the reality is, it should never matter what your sexual orientation or identity is.

Principles guiding the rights approach on sexual orientation relate to equality and non-discrimination. Human rights advocates and other activists seek to ensure social justice and guarantee the dignity of LGBTQ+'s because like anyone else an LGBTQ+ student is a person just like you are. The ONLY difference is their sexual orientation.

Maybe you're different because you're tall, underweight or dress differently than others. NO MATTER what our differences are everyone one deserves to be treated with respect and dignity!

We cannot accept ignorance

We cannot accept intolerance

We cannot accept name-calling

We must all respect each other

We must all accept others

We must all be tolerant of others

We must all be allies

We are ALL the same - NO MATTER™! We are ALL people!

Let's create a world of love, kindness, compassion and respect. There is no reason to call someone a name for any reason! If you don't understand an LGBTQ+'s sexual orientation -- learn more. Educate yourself! Educate others!

Creating a safe environment for all students - LGBTQ+ and straight alike - begins with being acceptance, tolerance and respect.

CELEBRATE our differences and HONOR our similarities! NO MATTER™!

LGBTQ+ Bullying Prevention | Start a Gay-Straight Alliance at Your School

Establish a GSA the same way you would establish any other club. Look in your Student Handbook for the rules at your school. You will need permission from a school administrator, as well as finding a faculty adviser and writing a constitution.

Find a faculty advisor teacher who you feel would be supportive or who already has proven to be an ally around sexual orientation issues.

Discuss your plans with school administrators at the onset. You want an administrator on your side who will be your school liaison with administration, teachers, students, parents, community members and the school board. Share your plans with school guidance counselors and social workers. Forming a GSA is protected under the Federal Equal Access Act.

Select a meeting place that is private and offers confidentiality. If your meeting place is high-profile members may be discouraged to participate.

Advertise your alliance through fliers at school, school bulletin announcements, and word of mouth. If your advertising materials are torn down or defaced, keep putting them back up. Posting fliers with words like "end homophobia" or "discuss sexual orientation" can help raise awareness and can make other students feel safer - even if they don't attend meetings.

Start out with a discussion about why people think the group is important. You can also brainstorm things your club would like to do this year. Offer snacks.

Create ground rules to ensure that group discussions are safe, confidential and respectful. Adopt a rule that no assumptions or labels are used about a group member's sexual orientation. This helps all members gay and straight to feel comfortable about attending meetings.

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lgbtq bullying, bullying, anti gay bullying, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer bullying is alarming. In fact 9 out of 10 LGBTQ students reported being harassed and bullied last year. Over one-third of LGBTQ students are physically assaulted at school because their sexual orientation and gender identity are different than those of heterosexual students.

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1987 | An LGBT short film | Director's Cut

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New Delhi - India's Supreme Court has set the ball rolling on petitions by gay couples and activists seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. On Friday, the top court ordered all other courts across the country to transfer any legal petitions seeking recognition of same-sex marriage, effectively taking collective ownership of all related cases.

The Supreme Court also gave the federal government about five weeks to make its stand on the matter clear.

India's Supreme Court decriminalized homosexual sex with a ruling in 2018, striking down a colonial-era law that made homosexual acts punishable by up to 10 years in prison. That law had forced much of the country's LGBTQ community to remain underground, or risk harassment and discrimination. But same-sex marriages remain illegal in India.

A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court has given Prime Minister Narendra Modi's federal government until Feb. 15 to make clear its stand on the question. After the government files a response, the court plans to hear the collective pleas by gay couples and activists in March.

Among the petitioners is a gay couple from Hyderabad, Supriyo Chakraborty and Abhay Dang, who have been together for 10 years and want to register their marriage under India's Special Marriages Act.

Another petition was filed by Parth Phiroze Mehrotra and Uday Raj Anand, a couple who have been together for 17 years who are now raising two children.

"We live together, we then started a family together through surrogacy. It's the natural next step," Mehrotra told the Reuters news agency this week. "I am just like you. I am just like anybody out there, and it's a natural next step for us to want to get married. And so, our plea to the court is give us that right to get married."

The couples say they're denied rights related to medical consent, pensions and adoption by being prohibited from marriage.

LGBTQ activists in India have campaigned for same-sex marriage for decades, but some stress that, while legalizing marriage would be a step in the right direction, it won't solve all the problems facing the community in India, as broader social acceptance remains low.

"Marriage is not the answer to every issue that we face," Rituparna Borah, a rights activist and co-founder of Nazariya, a queer feminist resource organization, told CBS News. "Despite the decriminalization of homosexuality, courts, police and several other organizations are not aware of various provisions of the law that protect transgenders."

"Social acceptance and family violence of the LGBTQ community needs to be addressed, too," Borah said.

Members of the LGBTQ community in India have long faced discrimination and violence at multiple levels, including from their own families, state institutions and law enforcement agencies. Borah told CBS News that her organization deals with cases of families trying to "correct" the sexual orientation of LGBTQ members through violence, medication and even rape, sometimes on a daily basis.

A high number of such cases of violence go unreported in the country of 1.4 billion people.

And the LGBTQ community likely faces an uphill battle for equal rights and social acceptance.

Modi's government has opposed same-sex marriage in the past.

"Same-sex marriage would cause complete havoc with the delicate balance of personal laws in the country," Sushil Modi, a Member of Parliament from Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party, or BJP, said in parliament last month.

"Same-sex couples living together is one thing, but giving them legal status is a different thing," he said in a TV interview later that day, adding that there were a "lot of issues" still to be addressed.

On Friday, as the Supreme Court heard the petitions, members of the United Hindu Front, a right-wing religious organization, protested outside the court, decrying homosexuality as against Indian culture and insisting the Supreme Court shouldn't hear the petitions.
More

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As India's top court takes up same-sex marriage, couples hope, and activists say there's a long fight ahead

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New Delhi - India's Supreme Court has set the ball rolling on petitions by gay couples and activists seeking legal recognition of same-sex marriage. On Friday, the top court ordered all other courts across the country to transfer any legal petitions seeking recognition of same-sex marriage, effectively taking collective ownership of all related cases.

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LGBTQ, intersex activists in India prepare for marriage equality ruling

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Country’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear multiple cases

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Top 10 Important LGBTQ Moments In US History

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This Is What LGBT Life Is Like Around the World | Jenni Chang and Lisa Dazols | TED Talks

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Non-LGBTQ folks have a crucial role to play in the vibrant LGBTQ movement: Cishet allies can be champions who help heighten queer visibility and relieve LGBTQ individuals of the burden of warding off discrimination alone.

They can flex their privilege and challenge homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia in conservative and restricted spaces, educating their friends and families about tolerance and acceptance. That said, these dedicated people can always work toward being a better ally and friend - and better hone communication around misconceptions and fallacy.

The core tenet of allyship with the LGBTQ community isn't all that complicated: be an advocate and foster an atmosphere of intentionality and inclusion in all situations, at all costs. As the often-said statement goes, "being an ally isn't an identity; it's a process." It's a process by which an individual actively works against oppressive systems that threaten marginalized individuals. As an ally, you're not expected to be a savior or a sacrificial lamb - you're expected to act in solidarity and combat the corrosiveness of anti-LGBTQ behaviors and actions. Don't just go to the marches, brandish a rainbow flag in your profile picture, or arrive early to your local drag brunch with a palmful of singles. Show up. Being an ally is a 365-day gig without a 100 percent foolproof comprehensive guide, so consider this a jumping-off point:

Steer Clear of Performative Allyship

Being a good ally begins with demonstrating intentionality and resisting the urge to center yourself. Don't be a tourist. Empty advocacy, including the flimsy use of hashtags, doesn't address the root causes. As Xochitl Ledesma, Director of Leading for Equity & Inclusion for the global non-profit Catalyst, once stated, "Performative allies share their knowledge about inequity with others, but don't use their privilege and resources to make real change." Genuine allyship translates to the understanding that one's actions ought to be in lockstep with their words. Authentic allegiance means shutting down bigotry and ensuring there's room in your office, classroom, neighborhood, church, or community center for LGBTQ folks - particularly the most marginalized and vulnerable. To be an effective ally, you don't have to change the world.

Instead, you have to double down and ensure that the lives of the queer people who know are made better by you. You can probably be a better ally if you find that you frequently contribute to, benefit from, and tolerate oppressive systems but fail to use your figurative weight to push LGBTQ folks forward. Begin facilitating fairness and mutual respect by listening, resisting the urge to straight-splain, and waiting for your turn to speak. Your understanding is appreciated and valued, but you can't advocate for someone if you're the loudest voice in the room. Help others be heard. LGBTQ folks can tell their own stories, and they are in command of their own narratives. Your job is to help amplify the voices within the community.

Know Your Queer History

By all means, please play Lil Nas X's "Montero" on repeat and support queer-owned businesses, but don't stop there. The queer experience is a vast one, involving more than glittering garb, streamers, and the fantasy. It's a complicated and varied experience lived by real people, many who've survived vilification, invalidation, and pitchforks. Counting yourself among queer allies means knowing that history. Queer liberation has been a tooth-and-nail fight to gain rights, freedoms, and equality. The Stonewall Uprising was just five decades ago - and the culminating riotous clash was not the only event that sparked change for the LGBTQ community. There were marches, sit-ins, organizing, and other efforts across the nation to counter anti-sodomy legislation, bigoted liquor laws, and unconstitutional treatment - and this process is ongoing. Power imbalances, tittering opinions over assimilation, the exclusion of trans folks and people of color, and frustrations around Pride's depoliticization would continue to be a part of community experience, particularly as corporate sponsorships began to engulf Pride.

With the popularity of Pride, we quickly forget anti-sodomy laws, which targeted gay individuals, were only struck down nationwide in 2003 - less than a decade before "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was nixed. The last decade saw the legalization of same-sex marriage, but also the reversal of health protections for trans individuals - and conversion therapy still lingers, demonstrating the uphill battle that the community continues to face. We're still addressing legacies of systemic oppression.

Ask Respectful Questions. But First, Self-Educate

Over the few decades, queerdom has become a more visible experience, thanks in part to onscreen queer imagery, such as "Noah's Arc," "Queer as Folk," "Queer Eye," "The L Word," "RuPaul's Drag Race," and more recently "Pose" and "Love, Victor." This onslaught of entertainment has sparked newfound curiosity and raised questions about the private lives and numerous identities within the space. Before asking questions beyond how someone identifies or their preferred pronouns, ask yourself, "Am I breaching personal boundaries with this question? Is this offensive?" Be discerning. If you don't know if the question is offensive, then don't ask the question. Remember, you're not entitled to anyone's personal information or their story. Rather than asking a potentially loaded question, visit some of the many web resources online. If you decide to go ahead and ask your friend about their experience, attentively listen and create a judgment-free environment. If you get shut down or corrected, don't get defensive - it simply may not be any of your business.

Be Intersectional or Go Home

Trans, gender non-conforming, and non-binary individuals, as well as sex workers and undocumented people, are among the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ community. They are the ones who are most disproportionately impacted by economic issues, health challenges and systemic oppression. Ironically, it's also these individuals who've often shouldered the burden of demanding equal rights. The experiences of people living with HIV, the ongoing death toll of transgender women of color, and youth homelessness are topics that must remain front and center. These communities were also deeply struck by the COVID-19 pandemic. When you're thinking of where to donate this month, think of these subcommunities first. Like cishet folks, privileged members of the LGBTQ community can use their clout to leverage the voices that aren't frequently elevated.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Support queer businesses, restaurants, publications and everything else all year long. Buy queer art, queer-made clothing, and support the life-saving organizations that foster equality and empowerment. As a passionate ally, you indeed want to support the amazing organizations that provide mercy and hope. Among the national groups include the Trevor Project, which provides a support hotline to young queer people, and GLSEN, which focuses on LGBTQ bullying prevention. The Black AIDS Institute promotes HIV and AIDS awareness within the Black community. The Family Equality Council provides family planning assistance to LGBTQ families. StartOut empowers LGBTQ entrepreneurs. The Trans Women of Color Collective uplifts trans POC. The Transgender Law Center fight for legal rights and laws for transgender people. There's a great deal of LGBTQ+ organizations you can confidently support.

In short, lend your privilege, be validating, advocate for fair treatment, and combat oversexualized narratives about queer identities. Also, if you're going to share something out on social, be sure to share something of more substance than a hashtag-laden boozy pic of you waving a flag. Please share human experiences, stories of heritage and legacy, love and loss. As long as you're sincere, action-oriented, and you don't heavily rely on your queer friends to educate you (because it's exhausting), you're doing great.

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Non-LGBTQ folks have a crucial role to play in the vibrant LGBTQ movement: Cishet allies can be champions who help heighten queer visibility and relieve LGBTQ individuals of the burden of warding off discrimination alone. They can flex their privilege and challenge homophobia, transphobia, and biphobia in conservative and restricted spaces, educating their friends and families about tolerance and acceptance.

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Can You Choose Your Own Pronouns? Ft. Patti Harrison | Decoded | MTV

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Gender Pronouns | LGBTQ+ Resource Center

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First, let’s start off with the most frequently asked questions about Personal Gender Pronouns (PGPs).

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Donate
No matter which part of our beautiful queer family you belong to, coming out can be a daunting experience.

In addition to a lot of the concerns LGBTQ folks express about coming out, there are unique difficulties in coming out as bi. And a lot of coming out resources don't talk about them.

Nevertheless, many people also express an enormous sense of relief after coming out. Spending your life lying about who you are is stressful and alienating. Working through that initial fear often leads to a much happier and simpler life in the long term.

"But what if I'm monogamous? Do I still need to come out?"

You never need to come out, but plenty of bi folks are in monogamous relationships and happily out. Being monogamous doesn't make you not bi; it just means you're monogamous.

"Won't people think it's a phase?"

One difficulty of coming out as bi is the perception of choice. There are those who are willing to accept that a gay or lesbian friend or family member cannot help their orientation and so are willing to accept their same-sex partners. They are seen as helpless victims of their orientation who cannot help who they love.

These same people will often perceive bi people as greedy or indecisive. The problem is that the only way to change this perception is to have more bi people out and visible. You are far from alone. Recent research shows that 52% of the LGB community is bi.

You know your attractions. Go check out our bi 101s and arm yourself with knowledge. Feel free to educate those who question you and let them know that your orientation is just as "real" as theirs.

"When will I be done coming out?"

Probably never. "Being out" is a colloquialism that describes a lifelong process. You may be out to your closest friends and family, but not your coworkers, or it may be the first thing listed on your Facebook profile. You get to decide who you are out to, and that should be true for everyone.

Bi folks face an extra hurdle in this respect. It's not always obvious to people when we are bi. If a woman is seen holding hands with a woman, most people will assume that they are lesbians. It will not cross their mind that one or both may be bi.

You will find people assuming your sexuality based on your partners or dating patterns over and over. The good news is you will find it easier to remind people that you are indeed bi. The better news is that the more we remind people that we are indeed bi, the less they will assume.

Everyone goes through this process differently, and it is easier for some of us than others. Some of us have known we were bi as long as we can remember; some of us didn't figure it out for a very long time. Families, relationships, communities, local laws may all impact how, when, and to whom you come out. But know that there are a lot of people rooting for you.

Check out bi.org's amazing online community of Facebook and Twitter, or check if there's an amBi chapter where you are (or maybe start your own).

Peruse our famous bis and see how many amazing bi people past and present have lived their bi truths.

Or maybe you'd like to see, read, and listen to more bi narratives? Go have a look at bi characters.

What Bi Looks Like gives you profiles of real-life bis around the world. There are so many more of us than you think.

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Donate No matter which part of our beautiful queer family you belong to, coming out can be a daunting experience. In addition to a lot of the concerns LGBTQ folks express about coming out, there are unique difficulties in coming out as bi. And a lot of coming out resources don't talk about them.