QUEER GLOSSARY
Navigating the world of queer vocabulary can sometimes feel like stepping into a linguistic maze. Fear not! To ensure you're well-equipped for the next queer circus event without feeling lost in translation, we've compiled a handy guide to some of the most essential terms. And don't worry—we'll be regularly updating this glossary to keep your knowledge up to date.
Consider This: While this glossary was meticulously crafted over hours, we embrace the reality that not everyone may instantly remember every term or concept. Should you find yourself in conversation and encounter an unfamiliar term, don't hesitate to ask the person you're engaging with. Remember, there's no shame in seeking clarity. Embrace a spirit of respect and openness, and you'll navigate these discussions just fine. Embracing curiosity is the first step towards mastering a new lexicon!
+ (plus)
The ‘+’ at the end of LGBTQ+ is used to acknowledge the many terms to describe those that have a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity, as not all of these identities are specified in the LGBTQ initialism, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans, questioning/queer. There is no universally accepted term for the LGBTQ community. Therefore, you might see variances such as LGBT, LGBTQIA (I for intersex and A for asexual), LGBTQIAP (I for intersex, A for asexual, and P for pansexual).
A
Ace: A person who does not experience sexual attraction. Ace is sometimes used as an umbrella term for people who experience little or no sexual attraction (i.e., asexual, gray-asexual, demisexual).
Ace flux: This describes someone whose sexual attraction varies over time. Someone who is ace flux, for example may feel very strongly asexual one day (definitely not feeling any sexual attraction to anyone), but less strongly asexual (maybe feeling weak sexual attraction) another day.
Agender: An individual who does not identify with any particular gender. Agender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other gender entirely. Many agender people also identify as Non-binary, genderqueer, or transgender, though some choose those avoid these terms.
Akio sexual/Akio romantic: This refers to a person who experiences sexual/romantic attraction, but their feelings fade if this is reciprocated
Aliagender: An individual whose gender identity is a combination of two or more genders. Aliagender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other combination of genders.
Allosexual: A term used to describe people who are attracted to others sexually. The opposite of asexual, allosexuals may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, among other sexual orientations.
Ally: An individual who supports and advocates for the rights of LGBTQIA+ people, even though they may not identify as being part of the community themselves. Allies can be straight, cisgender, or any other orientation or identity that is not part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Androsexual/Androphilic: A term used to describe people who are attracted to men, or those assigned male at birth. The opposite of gynesexual/gynephilic, androsexual/androphilic people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, among other sexual orientations.
Aporagender: An individual who does not identify with any particular gender, but whose gender is experienced as a void or emptiness.
Aromantic/Aro: A term used to describe people who experience little or no romantic attraction. The opposite of romantic, aromantic people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual, among other sexual orientations. Aro is sometimes used as an umbrella term for people who experience little or no romantic attraction (i.e., romanticom, gray-arantic, demiromantic).
Aromanticism: A romantic orientation that describes individuals who do not experience romantic attraction to others. Aromanticism is considered to be a subset of the aromantic spectrum, and there are a number of different ways that individuals who identify as aromantic can express their identity.
Asexual: The opposite of allosexual, asexual individuals are not sexually attracted to others. Some choose to date and form relationships with other asexual people, while others remain single and celibate.
Asexuality: A sexual orientation that describes people who do not experience sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is a spectrum, and there are several different ways that individuals who identify as asexual can express their identity.
Assigned gender/sex: The gender/sex assigned to someone at birth and recorded on one’s birth certificate, based on their physical characteristics.
Assigned male or female at birth, also written amab or afab: This refers to the sex/gender as categorised at birth and recorded on one’s birth certificate.
B
Bear: An affectionate term used to describe a large, hairy man. Bear is also a gay subculture.
Bigender: An individual whose gender identity is composed of two genders. Bigender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, nor some other combination of genders.
Bilateral Orchiectomy: The removal of both testicles. This surgery is often done as part of a Gender Confirmation Surgery (GCS) for transgender women.
Binder: An article of clothing worn to flatten the chest. Binders are often used by transgender men and Non-binary people.
Biphobia: The fear and hatred of people who are bisexual. Biphobia can be directed towards heterosexual, cisgender, or any other orientation individuals who identify as being attracted to more than one gender.
Birth name: This is the name given to someone at birth, used to distinguish from a ‘chosen’ or ‘preferred’ name that a trans or gender diverse person may choose to ensure their name aligns with theirone’s gender identity. You may also hear ‘dead name’ rather than ‘birth name’.
Bisexuallity: An umbrella term used to describe individuals who are attracted to people regardless of their gender. Bisexuality can be further broken down into different types, including pansexuality and non-monosexuality.
Bottom surgery: A type of gender-affirming surgery that involves the construction or remaking of external genitalia in order to better match one’s inner sense of self. Bottom surgery can be performed on people who identify as male, female, Non-binary transgender, and many other gender identities.
Butch: Butch is a term used in LGBT culture to describe someone who expresses themselves in a typically masculine way. There are other identities within the scope of butch, such as ‘soft butch’ and ‘stone butch’. You shouldn’t use these terms about someone unless you know they identify with them.
C
Cis trans ally: An individual who is supportive of trans people and does not engage in any discriminatory or oppressive behaviours towards transgender, Non-binary, and genderqueer individuals. Cis trans allies are also often referred to as being “trans-friendly.”
Cisgender/Cis: A term used to describe people whose gender identity matches their gender assigned at birth. For example, a baby born with a vulva is typically assigned female at birth and would therefore be considered cisgender.
Cisheteronormativity: Cisheteronormativity is the set of social and cultural norms that privilege heterosexuality while marginalising other sexual orientations and gender identities.
Cissexism: Cissexism is the discrimination against individuals whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. This can manifest in a number of ways, including violence, exclusion from services and employment, and denial of one’s gender identity.
Closeted: A person who is not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity. Closeted people may be afraid of discrimination or rejection from family, friends, or others if they come out.
Coming out: The process of telling others (family, friends, peers) about your sexual orientation and/or gender identity
Cross-dresser: A person who wears clothing that is different from the clothing typically worn by people of their gender. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with their assigned gender and do not wish to change it. This term is considered derogatory and offensive when applied to transgender people. “Cross dresser” is now used in preference to the term “transvestite”, which is considered to be outdated and can cause offence.
D
Deadnaming: The use of an individual’s birth name, rather than their chosen name, when referring to them. Deadnaming is often used by individuals who are homophobic or transphobic and can be a form of violence against those they target.
Demigender: An individual whose gender identity is only partially male or female. For example, a demi-girl may identify as a girl most of the time but sometimes feel more like a boy.
Demiromantic: A term used to describe someone who does not experience romantic attraction unless they have formed a strong emotional connection with their partner. Demiromantic individuals may identify as being aromantic, but this is not always the case.
Demisexuality: A sexual orientation that describes people who do not experience sexual attraction to others unless they have formed a strong emotional connection with them. Demisexuality is considered to be a subset of the asexual spectrum.
Drag: A term used to describe the performance of gender in a theatrical or exaggerated way. Drag can be performed by cisgender, transgender, gay, or any other identity individuals.
Dyke: The word dyke originated as a derogatory, homophobic and misogynistic slur for a masculine, butch or androgynous woman or lesbian. Since then, the word dyke has been reclaimed by many lesbians.
Dysphoria: A feeling of unease or dissatisfaction. Gender dysphoria is the feeling of unease or dissatisfaction that a person experiences because their gender identity does not match their physical body.
E
Epicene: A gender identity that refers to a person who does not feel restricted by traditional gender norms and expectations. Epicene people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, nor some other gender entirely.
Exploring: This term is used to describe the process an individual goes through as their sexual orientation and/or gender identity is emerging and evolving.
F
Faggot or Fag: A derogatory term referring to a gay person, or someone perceived as queer. While often used derogatorily, it is also used reclaimed by some gay people (often gay men) as a positive in-group term.
Femme: Femme is a term used in LGBT culture to describe someone who expresses themselves in a typically feminine way. There are other identities within the scope of femme, such as ‘low femme’, ‘high femme’, and ‘hard femme’. You shouldn’t use these terms about someone unless you know they identify with them.
FTM or MTF: These acronyms stand for ‘female-to-male’ and ‘male to female’, respectively, to indicate people assigned female at birth who transition to be a man, and vice versa. Many trans people still use these terms to describe themselves, although these terms have also been criticised for implying that trans people ‘change’ from one sex into another
G
Gay: An umbrella term used to describe individuals who do not identify as straight. Gay people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other gender altogether.
Gay rights: The civil rights that are extended to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. Gay rights include the right to marry, the right to adopt children, and the right to serve in the military.
Gender: It is a person’s actual, internal sense of whether they are a man, a woman, Non-binary, Agender, or something else.
Gender affirmation surgery: Surgery that is performed to change a person’s physical appearance to match their gender identity.
Gender dysphoria: Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there’s a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity.
Gender expression: Gender expression refers to the ways in which people communicate their gender identity through appearance, behaviour, and other forms of self-presentation. This can include clothing styles, hairstyles, body language, and other mannerisms that are typically associated with a particular gender.
Gender identity: Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of what it means to be male or female. This can include a person’s sense of their own gender, as well as the ways in which they express and communicate their gender to others through dress, behaviour, and other forms of self-presentation.
Gender non-conforming: Gender non-conforming refers to people who do not conform to societal expectations and norms around gender
Gender reassignment: The process of transitioning from one gender to another, or the state of being in that process.
Genderfluid: An individual whose gender identity shifts from one particular gender to another.
Genberflux: An individual whose gender identity shifts between a wide range of different genders
Genderqueer: Genderqueer is a term used to describe individuals who do not identify as strictly male or female.
Grey-asexual: A term used to describe individuals who are asexual but experience sexual attraction on very rare occasions.
Greygender: An individual whose gender identity does not fit within the traditional two-gender system, but who still feels that their gender is more than just a lack of it.
Gynesexual/Gynephilic: A term used to describe people who are attracted to women or those assigned female at birth. The opposite of androsexual/androphilic, gynesexual/gynephilic people may identify as straight, lesbian, or bisexual, among other sexual orientations.
Heterosexual/Straight: A person who is sexually attracted to people of a different gender is considered heterosexual.
Homophobia: Homophobia refers to a range of negative attitudes and behaviours towards people who identify as gay.
H
Heteronormativity: The belief or assumption that all people are heterosexual, or that heterosexuality is the default or “normal” state of human being
Heterosexism: The idea that heterosexuality is a normal, natural, or superior state of human sexual orientation, and the system of oppression based on that belief. It is very closely related to homophobia and the two ideas tend to coexist.
Homophobia: The discrimination, prejudice or bullying of a person because they are gay or lesbian or perceived to be gay or lesbian by others
Homosexual: This is an outdated term that is now generally seen as derogatory and offensive by many gay and lesbian people. This is because of the pathologised history of the word “homosexual,” and it is often aggressively used by anti-gay individuals and groups to suggest that gay people are psychologically/emotionally disordered. Gay or lesbian are the preferable terms to describe people attracted to members of the same sex.
I
Intergender: An individual whose gender identity is between two particular genders. Intergender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female.
Intersectionnality: The idea that people who find themselves at the crossroads of multiple identities (for example, in terms of race, gender, or sexuality) experience discrimination in a way uniquely different from those who with whom they may only share one or some identities in common.
Internalised homophobia: When an LGBTQ+ individual has assimilated the homophobia that exists in society and therefore begins to believe the negative messages they receive about their identity. This can lead to self-hatred and a range of mental health issues.
Internalised transphobia: When a trans or Non-binary individual has assimilated the transphobia that exists in society and therefore begins to believe the negative messages they receive about their identity. This can lead to self-hatred and a range of mental health issues.
Intersex: Intersex is a term used to describe individuals who are born with reproductive anatomy or chromosomes that do not fit the typical definitions of “male” and “female.” This may include individuals with both male and female genitalia, or a combination of XXY chromosomes, for example.
J
K
L
Lesbian: An umbrella term used to describe female individuals who do not identify as straight and who are exclusively attracted to other female individuals who also do not identify as straight.
Lesbophobia: The fear and hatred of lesbians. Lesbophobia can be directed towards gay and bisexual women but is most commonly directed toward lesbians.
Lipstick Lesbian: A term used to describe a lesbian who presents in a feminine way. Lipstick lesbians may or may not also identify as femme and are often assumed to be straight by those who use this term.
M
Masc: An abbreviation of masculine that is often used by gay, bisexual, and transgender men. Masc can be used as an identity label, or simply as a descriptor.
Maverique: An individual whose gender is neither male nor female but cannot be accurately described by any other term. Maverique people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other combination of genders.
Microaggression: This term describes comments or actions that subtly and often unconsciously or unintentionally expresses a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalised group.
Misgender or mispronoun: The act of referring to someone using the wrong pronouns (e.g., calling a transgender woman “he”). Misgendering can be intentional or unintentional.
Monosexual: A person who identifies as being sexually attracted to one gender is considered monosexual. Monosexual individuals can experience attraction towards someone of the same gender, different genders, or no genders at all.
MSM: An abbreviation of men who have sex with men. MSM is often used in research and public health contexts to describe gay and bisexual men, as well as other men who have sex with men, without specifying their sexual orientation.
N
Neutrois: An individual whose gender identity is neither male nor female but may be described as neutral or null gender. Neutrois people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female.
Non-binary: Non-binary is an umbrella term used to describe people who do not identify as exclusively male or female.
O
Odysseogender: A gender identity that is constantly in flux and ever-changing.
Othergender: An umbrella term used to describe any gender identity that does not fall within the traditional two-gender system.
Outed: The process of revealing someone’s LGBTQ+ identity without their consent. This can be done deliberately, in an effort to harm or embarrass the individual, or unintentionally, through carelessness or lack of understanding.
P
Pangender: An individual whose gender identity encompasses all genders. Pangender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other combination of genders.
Pansexuality: A sexual orientation that describes people who are attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or body type. Pansexuality is not the same as bisexuality, as pansexual individuals can be attracted to any individual, regardless of their gender identity or presentation.
Passing: When a person is able to convincingly present as the gender they identify with, without raising suspicion that they are transgender.
Perigender: An individual whose gender identity can be best described as a “surrounding” or “encompassing” gender. Perigender people may identify as being both male and female, neither male nor female, or some other combination of genders.
Person with a trans history: A term used by some individuals who no longer identify as transgender, but still have a trans history. This can include people who have undergone transition-related medical treatments, such as hormone therapy or surgery, as well as those who simply identify as transgender.
Personal Gender Pronouns (PGPs): The pronouns that a person uses to refer to themselves. Most people use he/him/his or she/her/hers pronouns, but there are many other options (e.g., they/them/theirs, ze/hir/hirs). It is considered polite to ask someone their PGPs before assuming which pronouns to use.
Platonic partnerships: People who are on the ace and/or aro spectrum may have platonic partnerships. These are relationships where there is a high level of mutual commitment which can include shared life decisions, shared living arrangements, and co-parenting of children. These partnerships can include more than two people. Ace and aro spectrum people may be monogamous or polyamorous.
Polyamory: The practise of being in multiple romantic relationships at the same time, with the consent of all partners involved.
Polygender: An individual whose gender identity is composed of multiple genders.
Q
Queer: Often used as an umbrella term for LGBTQ+ identities, queer can be considered both an identity label, as well as a political label. People who use the term queer may have different intentions when doing so, and it is important to understand the context of its usage.
Queerbaiting: A term used in media studies which describe when creators of content include characters or relationships that could be read as LGBTQ+ without confirming this identity publicly. In some cases, this can simply be a tactic to draw interest from LGBTQ+ viewers while maintaining a heteronormative and cisnormative narrative.
Questioning: An individual who is exploring their own gender identity and is not yet sure which gender or genders they identify as. It is a tentative gender identity label for a person who is in the process of figuring out how to describe and label their gender identity but has reason to think that they might be transgender or at least not cisgender.
R
Romantic orientation: Romantic orientation refers to a person’s ability to form relationships and find romantic partners. People who identify as straight or gay often consider this aspect of their sexuality, while others may not.
S
Sex: Sex is a biological concept that refers to the reproductive anatomy of an individual. This includes factors such as hormones, chromosomes, and genitals. It is important to note that sex is not the same as gender. While sex is a biological concept, gender is a social construct.
Sexual orientation: Sexual orientation is a term used to describe an individual’s romantic and/or sexual attraction to others. There are many different sexual orientations, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and heterosexual.
Skoliosexual: A person who is attracted to Non-binary people.
T
Title: The prefixes or suffixes that are used to indicate a person’s gender identity. For example, Ms. (for a woman), Mr. (for a man), and Mx. (for a Non-binary person).
Transgender, Trans: An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, crossdresser, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.
Transgender man: People who were assigned female at birth but identify as male.
Transgender woman: People who were assigned male at birth but identify as female.
Transition or transitioning: A term often used by transgender people to refer to the process of changing one’s physical, and sexual characteristics from those associated with one’s birth-assigned gender to those associated with another gender.
Transphobia: Transphobia refers to a range of negative attitudes and behaviours or the unwillingness to accept the existence of transgender people.
Trigender: An individual whose gender identity is composed of three genders. Trigender people may identify as being both male and female, or as any combination of three different genders.
U
V
W
Womxn: an alternative spelling to ‘woman/women’ to reclaim the identity of womanhood as inclusive and intersectional, and not defined in relation to men. It has been pronounced as ‘wo-minx’ or simply in the same way as ‘woman/women’.
X
Xenosexual: A person who is attracted to people who are not like them in some way, such as race, ethnicity, or culture.
Y
Z
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