Being intersex is not linked to sexual orientation or gender identity intersex people can have different sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions.Īsexual – Often referred to as “Ace”, this is an umbrella term used for individuals who do not experience, or experience a low level, of sexual desire. Being intersex is a naturally occurring trait in humans it is not pathological. There are many different intersex variations. Intersex – This term refers to people who naturally have biological traits, such as hormonal levels or genitalia, that do not match what is typically identified as male or female. Someone can be questioning their sexual orientation and/or their gender identity. Questioning – This term refers to someone who is not sure how they identify. In this context, this could be a rejection of any type of label, but most often refers to a rejection of labels for gender and sexual orientation. Queer is also often used as a broad rejection of labels. However, some LGBTIQA people still find the term offensive. Historically the term queer was used as a slur against LGBTQIA people, but in recent years it has been reclaimed by LGBTIQ communities. Cisgender people are people whose gender identity and expression match the sex they were assigned at birth. Queer – Queer is often used as an umbrella term referring to anyone who is not straight and not cisgender. LGBTQIA – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer and/or Questioning, and Asexual and/or Ally To learn more about this, and other gender identities, read this article. Transgender – Transgender is used to describe any person who has a gender identity that is different from the gender that they were assigned at birth. To learn more about gender identities and expressions, read our article “ Terminology Surrounding Gender Identity and Expression.” It refers to someone who is attracted to two or more genders out of the many gender identities. Gay – This term refers to a man who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to other men.īisexual – This term refers to someone who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to more than one gender. Lesbian – This term refers to a woman who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to other women. LGBT – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender.
After all, we are talking about identity, sexuality, and relationships, so there are as many definitions as there are people. Moreover, they mean different things to different people. Definitions of terms, like language itself, are constantly evolving. It’s worth noting that these definitions are not set in stone. What follows is an explanation of that acronym and the meaning of the terms it refers to. In a move towards inclusivity, the older, shorter, acronym - LGBT - has been expanded. Terms that were forgotten or unused, even terms that at some point were deemed derogatory, have been reclaimed and have entered into common parlance today. The language used to talk about LGBTIQ people is constantly evolving.