Lgbtq definitions
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re frightened of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to aid make conversations easier and more relaxed. LGBTQ+ people apply a variety of terms to recognize themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always attend for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Gay people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as adv as those within the LGBTQ+ group who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for limited, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual task with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The apprehension and hatred of, or discomfort with
Sexual Orientation: a person’s sentimental, physical, and/or sexual attraction and often the phrase of that attraction. Sexual orientation is not necessarily the same as sexual behavior.
Sexual identity: The way a person views and identifies their sexual orientation.
Gender identity: A person’s sense of organism masculine, feminine, in-between or androgynous. It is vital to recognize that this is independent from a person’s biological sex.
Gender identity vs. sexual orientation: Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation. Gender identity, the sense that one is a male child or a girl, is usually manifested by the age of 3 or 4 years. Sexual orientation, the sense of which gender one is emotionally, physically and/or sexually attracted to, does not visible itself until much later in life, usually after puberty and often not until full adulthood.
Gender expression: The way in which an individual externally represents their gender individuality and presents it to the world.
Heterosexual:a person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attract
Defining LGBTQ+ Words for Elementary School Students
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When children ask questions about LGBTQ+ words, it is often best to offer simple and direct answers. You might choose to answer a student’s question with another question to figure out what they are really asking -- is it about name-calling, a classmate’s two dads or something they saw on the internet. Listening first helps you respond.
Here are a few items to keep in mind when defining terms for children:
- Use examples to help children understand definitions.
- Questions about LGBTQ+ words can provide teachable moments on topics appreciate understanding difference and treating people with respect.
- If a student uses an LGBTQ+ term in a contemptuous way, ask them if they know what it means. If they don’t, give a brief definition and explain how using an identity as a slur is mean and emphasize that the word is not a bad word.
The following list can serve as a starting place for educators to respond to questions about LGBTQ+ words. These suggested definitions can help to
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ people organizations and leaders. Watch acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender phrase, 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 operate 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 woman loving woman, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering back 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