2SLGBTQ+ community glossary of terms
Below is a non-exhaustive list of terms and definitions. This list is every shifting and growing.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
2SLGBTQIA+: An acronym for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other people in the rainbow community.
A
AFAB/AMAB: Short for “assigned female at birth” and “assigned male at birth,” or usually based on the appearance of a person’s genitals when they are born. These terms are preferable to inaccurate statements like saying someone is “biologically female” or “used to be a man.”
affirmed gender: An individual’s true gender, as opposed to their gender assigned at birth. This term should replace terms like new gender or chosen gender, which imply that an individual chooses their gender.
agender: A person who feels that they do not have a gender identity or that their gender identity is neutral.
alloromantic: Refers to an individual who experiences romantic attraction of any kind. It is possible to be alloromantic but not allosexual.
allosexual: Refers to an individual who experiences sexual attraction of any kind. Allosexual people are not limited by their sexual orientation, the term simply defines the ability to experience sexual attraction.
ally: Someone who fights alongside a marginalized identity group but who does not share that same identity. They believe in the dignity of and respect for all people and are willing to stand up in that role. For example, someone who identifies as heterosexual could be an ally for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community as a whole; or a Lesbian could be an ally for the trans community.
androgynous: Identifying and/or presenting as neither distinguishably masculine nor feminine.
aroflux: Refers to a romantic orientation on the aromantic spectrum. It can be defined as 1) a romantic orientation that fluctuates, but always stays on the aromantic spectrum. Or 2) a romantic orientation that fluctuates between being alloromantic, completely aromantic, and/or somewhere in between. Aroflux people can be romance-repulsed, indifferent/neutral/apathetic towards romance, or romance positive. They can have any sexual orientation.
aromantic (Aro): A person who lacks romantic attraction or interest in romantic expression. An aromantic person’s sexual and romantic orientation may differ (e.g. aromantic lesbian), and they may have romantic and/or sexual partners.
asexual (Ace): The lack of sexual attraction/desire for other people.
assigned sex: The sex assigned to an infant at birth based on the child’s visible sex organs, including genitalia and other physical characteristics.
assumed gender: The gender assumed about an individual, based on their assigned sex as well as apparent societal gender markers and expectations, such as physical attributes and expressed characteristics. Examples of assuming a person’s gender include using pronouns for a person before learning what pronouns they use, or calling a person a man or a woman without knowing their gender.
B
bigender: A person who identifies as two genders, either at the same time or moving back and forth between them.
binary: Refers to an individual who fits into the gender binary.
binding: The process of tightly wrapping one’s chest in order to minimize the appearance of having breasts, often by using a binder. Note: One must bind themselves carefully, with appropriate materials, and for reasonable periods of time in order to avoid discomfort and potential negative health impacts. Unsafe binding can lead to negative health outcomes, such as broken ribs and trouble breathing.
biological sex: Includes external genitalia, internal reproductive structures, chromosomes, hormone levels and secondary sex characteristics (for example, breasts, facial and body hair). These characteristics are objective: they can be seen and measured. Surprising to some, sex consists not just of two categories (male or female) but is a continuum. Most people exist somewhere near one end or the other. The space more in the middle is occupied by intersex people.
biphobia: Prejudice, fear, or hatred directed toward bisexual people.
BIPOC: Acronym for Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. It acknowledges the specific histories of Black and African American, Latino/a/x/e, Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islanders (API/AAPI), and Native/Indigenous people within the United States without collapsing them into a homogenous category of people of colour.
bisexual: A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.
biromantic: A person who has a romantic attraction to two (or multiple genders).
blending: A term sometimes used to refer to the state of a 2SLGBTQIA+ person not being visibly recognizable as 2SLGBTQIA+. People who can blend may experience less queerphobia or transphobia and discrimination. Some 2SLGBTQIA+ people consider ‘blending’ to be very important for them, while others feel that choosing not to blend is an act of rejecting heterosexism and ciscentrism. One’s own privileges may inform one’s ability or need to blend. Some people may need to blend or “pass” in order to stay safe in certain environments (e.g. A workplace, or family gathering). Blending, or related terms “passing” and “stealth” are contested terms since it may connote a “passing grade” or imply an external pressure to strive towards being read a certain way.
bottom surgery: Surgery performed on an individual’s reproductive system as a part of gender-affirming surgery. Not all trans people undergo medical interventions as part of their transition. As with any other aspect of transition, trans people retain their right not to discuss their surgical history, and surgery does not define gender. See gender-affirming surgery (GAS).
butch: A term of significance in queer women’s histories. A word that some queer people use to describe gender expression and/or social and relationships roles that are perceived as being masculine.
C
chosen family: Also known as found family, people who support a 2SLGBTQIA+ person, who are not biologically related, and who often fill the role of the biological family if a 2SLGBTQIA+ person’s family is not supportive of them.
chosen name: A name selected by an individual that differs from the name they were given at birth. A chosen name often helps to affirm an individual’s gender identity and/or gender expression.
cisgender: A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
cisnormativity: The societal idea that assumes all people are cisgender, and which privileges cisgender identities and underrepresents transgender and non-binary identities.
cissexism: Prejudice and discrimination in favor of cisgender identities, including the belief that it is better to be cisgender than transgender.
clocking: A term used to describe when someone identifies an individual as transgender or nonbinary, when that trans or nonbinary individual would rather they didn’t. Sometimes also referred to as “being read.”
closeted: Describes a 2SLGBTQIA+ person who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity.
coming out: The process in which a person acknowledges, accepts, and appreciates their sexual orientation or gender identity and shares that with others.
D
dead name: Refers to the name that a person was given at birth but is no longer actively using. The heavy connotation of the word dead is intended to stress the inappropriateness and offensiveness of a person’s terminated name. It is not appropriate to ask people about their dead names. Some trans people use the term “birth name.”
demiboy: A person whose gender identity is only partly male, regardless of their assigned sex at birth.
demigirl: A person whose gender identity is only partly female, regardless of their assigned sex at birth.
demiromantic: Used to describe an individual who experiences romantic attraction only after forming an emotional connection.
demisexual: A person who experiences sexual attraction to someone only after having an emotional attraction to them.
drag performers: Refers to people who dress in a showy or flamboyant way that exaggerates gender stereotypes, often for purposes of performative art and/or entertainment. Within drag performances, there can be drag kings, queens, and performers. Some people who perform professionally outside of queer communities prefer the term ‘male/female impersonator.’
F
femme: A term that some queer people use to describe gender expression and/or social and relationship roles that are perceived by many as being feminine.
folx: An alternative spelling to folks, pronounced the same way.
G
gatekeeping: Broad term, not only used within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, which describes the process by which an individual decides who does or does not belong to a certain community, group, or identity. For example, a gay man telling a questioning man that he has to have sex with another man before he can call himself gay is an example of gatekeeping. Gatekeeping, which can come from inside or outside the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, should be avoided, as it is painful and invalidating to the recipient in either instance.
gay: A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to members of the same gender.
gayby: A person with one or more 2SLGBTQIA+ parents or caregivers. Typically, a term used for self-identification only.
gender: The social construction of concepts such as masculinity and femininity in a specific culture in time. One may identify as being a man, woman, or another gender. It involves gender assignment (the gender designation of someone at birth), gender roles (the expectations imposed on someone based on their gender), gender attribution (how others perceive someone’s gender), and gender identity (how someone defines their own gender). Fundamentally different from the sex one is assigned at birth.
gender-affirming garments: Any number of garments and/or physical aids used in affirming someone’s gender. Most commonly, gender-affirming garments might refer to binders, bras, breast forms, and may also be used to refer to wigs, goals, packers (penile prosthetics), and other textiles, garments, and/or accessories.
gender attribution/gender perception: The process of making assumptions about another person’s gender, based on factors such as choice of dress, voice modulation, body shape, etc.
gender-affirming surgeries (GAS) or sexual realignment surgeries (SRS): Refers to medical procedures by which an individual is surgically altered to create the physical appearance of their authentic gender. Not all trans people seek surgery.
gender binary: The idea that there are only two possible, opposing genders and that a person must identify as either a man or a woman.
gender dysphoria: Significant distress caused when a person’s assigned birth gender is not the same as the one with which they identify.
gender envy: A casual term primarily used by transgender people to describe an individual they aspire to be like. It often refers to having envy for an individual’s expression of gender (for example, wanting the physical features, voice, mannerisms, style, etc., of a specific gender).
gender euphoria: A euphoric feeling often experienced when one’s gender is recognized and respected by others, when one’s body aligns with one’s gender, or when one expresses themselves in accordance with their gender. Focusing on gender euphoria instead of gender dysphoria shifts focus towards the positive aspects of being transgender or gender expansive.
gender expansive: An umbrella term for those who do not follow gender stereotypes, or who expand ideas of gender expression or gender identity. People of any gender identity can be gender expansive. While some parents and allies use the term gender expansive, the preferred term by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is gender non-conforming. Gender expansive is not equivalent to non-binary. It is important to respect and use the terms people use for themselves, regardless of any prior associations or ideas about those terms.
gender expression: Is everything that we do to communicate our gender to others. For example, the type of clothing we wear, our hairstyles, mannerisms, the way we speak, the roles we take in interactions, etc. Gender expression is a continuum, with feminine at one end and masculine at the other. In between are gender expressions that are androgynous (neither masculine nor feminine) and those that combine elements of the two (sometimes called gender bending). Sometimes we communicate our gender expression purposefully, sometimes it’s accidental. Our gender expression could be forced on us as children by dress codes at school or at work. Gender expression can vary for an individual from day to day or in different situations, but most people can identify a range on the scale where they felt the most comfortable. Some people inhabit a wider range of gender expression than others.
gender fluid: Describing someone whose gender is not fixed and shifts over time or depending on a situation.
genderflux: A person whose gender identity and/or gender expression varies in intensity, but not necessarily across genders.
gender identity: Each person’s internal and individual experience of gender, their sense of being a woman, a man, both, neither, or anywhere on the gender spectrum. Gender identity may develop as a person goes through life and learns more about themselves.
gendered language: Commonly understood as language that has a bias towards a particular sex or social gender. This can lead to women being excluded or rendered invisible. For example, the way titles are used. “Mr.” can refer to any man, regardless of marriage status, whereas “Miss” and “Mrs.” define women by whether they are married, which until quite recently meant defining them by their relationships with men. Some languages, like Spanish, French, and others, will change the endings of words to associate them with a particular gender and person. English is not a gendered language in this particular way.
gender neutral: Not gendered. Can refer to language (including pronouns and salutations/titles), spaces (like bathrooms), or other aspects of society (like colors or occupations). Gender neutral is not a term to describe people. A person who experiences no gender may be agender or neutrois.
gender-neutral salutations or titles: A salutation or title that does not specify the gender of the addressee in a formal communication or introduction. Also used for persons who do not identify as a binary gender, addressing an individual where the gender is unknown, or if the correspondence-sender is unsure of the gender of the person to whom the correspondence is being sent. Mx. (pronounced mix) and M. are the most commonly used gender-neutral salutations (e.g. “Dear Mx. Smith…” or “Hello M. Moore…”). Generally, M. is used when the gender is unknown, and Mx. is used when the person uses that prefix.
gender non-conforming: A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.
gender performance theory: Coined by Judith Butler, gender performance theory is the concept that people do not have inherent genders based on their biological sex. According to this theory, people continually perform their genders, instead of relying on their assigned sexes to determine their genders for them.
gender roles: The strict set of societal beliefs that dictate the so-called acceptable behaviors for people of different genders, usually binary in nature. Many people find these to be restrictive and harmful, as they reinforce the gender binary.
genderqueer: A person whose gender identity may not align with gender binary expectations. They may identify as both a man and a woman, move between genders or reject the gender binary altogether.
gender socialization: A process that influences and teaches an individual how to behave as a man or a woman, based on culturally defined gender roles. Parents, teachers, peers, media, and faith traditions are some of the many agents of gender socialization. Gender socialization looks very different across cultures, both inside and outside of the U.S. It is heavily impacted by other intersecting identities.
gender spectrum: The concept that gender exists beyond a simple man/woman binary model, but instead exists on a continuum. Some people fall towards more masculine or feminine aspects, some people move fluidly along the spectrum, and some exist off the spectrum entirely.
gender variant: A term sometimes used by the medical community to describe individuals who dress, behave, or express themselves in a way that does not conform to dominant gender norms. Some people avoid this term because it suggests that these identities are abnormal, preferring terms such as gender non-conforming.
graysexual: A person who experiences interest in sexual intimacy infrequently or with limited intensity.
grayromantic: Refers to an individual whose romantic orientation is somewhere between aromantic and romantic. A gray-romantic person may experience romantic attraction but not very often. Or they may experience romantic attraction, but not desire romantic relationships.
H
heteroflexible: A straight person who is most often attracted to people of a different gender from themselves but sometimes experiences attraction to people of the same gender as them. It is distinct from bisexuality. The term can have negative connotations of experimentation or indecision.
heteronormativity: The societal idea that assumes all people are heterosexual, and which privileges heterosexuality over other sexual orientations.
heteroromantic: Refers to an individual who is romantically attracted to the opposite sex or gender.
heterosexual: Refers to a person who is sexually attracted to a person of a different gender or sex. Also referred to as straight.
heterosexism: Prejudice and discrimination in favor of heterosexuality, including the belief that heterosexuality is the best sexual orientation.
homoflexible: A gay person who is most often attracted to people of the same gender as themselves but sometimes experience attraction to people of other genders or engage in sexual behavior with people of different genders from their own. It is distinct from bisexuality.
homophobia: The fear, hatred of, or discomfort with people who are attracted to members of the same gender.
homoromantic: Refers to an individual who is romantically attracted to people of the same sex or genders as themselves.
homosexual: A person who is mostly attracted to people of their own gender. Because homosexual has been widely used negatively and/or in a cold and clinical way, most 2SLGBTQ+ people prefer other terms.
hormone blockers: Also referred to as puberty blockers, this is a form of gender-affirming medical care that allows young trans and gender-expansive people to prevent the potentially negative outcomes of going through a puberty that does not match their gender identity.
hormone replacement therapy (HRT): The process by which trans individuals choose to take a prescription of artificial hormones in order to physically/medically affirm their gender. For trans women, that may include estrogen as well as testosterone-blockers. For trans men, testosterone, or T.
house-ballroom community: The underground subculture consisting of mainly Black and Latinx members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who ‘walk’ to earn recognition and awards within their community. ‘Houses’ are chosen families that individuals compete with and often live with. These categories represent the barriers that Queer and Trans People of Colour (QTPOC) face in accessing formal employment, housing, and public services.
hyperfemininity: Term for the exaggeration of stereotypically female behavior, based on so-called gender roles. Hyperfeminine behavior is often expected of trans women in order to be seen as “real” women.
hypermasculinity: Term for the exaggeration of stereotypically male behavior, based on so-called gender roles. Hypermasculine behavior is often expected of trans men in order to be seen as “real” men. Heterosexual men may display hypermasculine behaviors to “prove” they are not gay, even though gay men have many understandings of their own masculinity.
I
inclusive language: The use of gender non-specific language (i.e. ‘partner’ instead of ‘husband’, or ‘they’ instead of ‘she’) to avoid assumptions around gender identity and sexual orientation, and to enhance the accessibility of information and services. Educational, social service, and health professionals are especially encouraged to use inclusive language until advised otherwise by the person they are talking to or about.
internalized homophobia: The experience of shame, guilt, or self-hatred in reaction to one’s own feelings of sexual attraction for a person of the same gender.
intersectionality: The understanding that every individual occupies many overlapping identity categories (race, gender, class, etc.) and that the combination of these categories shapes the way they experience the world and the privilege/marginalization that they encounter.
intersex: An umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations. In some cases, these traits are visible at birth, and in others, they are not apparent until puberty. A person whose chromosomes, hormonal make-up, or anatomy fall outside the categories of male or female. Some chromosomal variations of this type may not be physically apparent at all.
L
lesbian: A woman who is attracted physically and emotionally to other women.
lesbophobia: Fear of, hatred of, aversion to, and discrimination against lesbians or lesbian behavior. This can take place from outside of the queer community, but may also be a product of stereotyping, internalized queerphobia, or misogyny within the queer community.
M
masc: A term referring to the broad, dynamic representations of masculinity/masculine characteristics regardless of gender. Mascs claim a relationship to masculinity without necessarily claiming a relationship to manhood.
MTF/FTM (male to female/female to male): An older short-form indicating transition from one binary gender to another. MTF is someone who was assigned male at birth and is transitioning to female. FTM is someone who was assigned female at birth and is transitioning to male.
misgender: To refer to someone (especially a trans person) by using a word, like a pronoun or form of address (i.e. sir, ma’am), that does not correctly reflect the gender with which they identify. The act of misgendering can be done intentionally and with malice, or with ignorance; both are considered harmful. A related term, ungender, refers to the mental process by which a person tries to understand someone within a gender construct they don’t identify with, most especially after learning about one’s trans status.
misogyny: The fear of the power of femininity that leads to the belief or attitude that masculinity, and specifically maleness, is not only desired but more powerful and naturally dominant over femininity, and specifically femaleness. Misogyny represents itself in men claiming public spaces (i.e. cat-calling); maleness being understood as the default (i.e. World Cup vs. Women’s World Cup); men being overrepresented in media, television, and film roles; and overwhelming statistics related to men’s violence against women.
mispronoun: Similar to misgendering, mispronouning is to refer to a person with the incorrect pronouns. This term is less common than misgendering, as pronouns are often an important aspect of people’s genders. This may be unintentional and without ill intent, or can be a maliciously employed expression of bias. Regardless of intent, mispronouning has a harmful impact.
mixed pronouns: A pronoun mix, like he/they or she/they, is generally shorthand for “I use both he/him/his and they/them/theirs pronouns.” The use of two pronouns means they can generally be used interchangeably. However, desired use is different for each person; it is okay to ask if a person uses one over another.
MLM: Men loving men refers to gay, bisexual, pansexual, or otherwise same-gender-loving men. Used most commonly within the Black community, the term is more often written than used in conversation.
monogamy: The practice of maintaining one, and only one, romantic and/or sexual relationship, to the exclusion of any other intimate relationship.
monosexism: The opinion that being attracted to one gender is superior to being attracted to multiple genders.
N
nibling: A gender-neutral term for niece/nephew.
nonbinary (Enby): Gender that exists outside of the gender binary (see gender binary). While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do.
non-monogamy: An umbrella term to describe a practice of maintaining more than one romantic and/or sexual relationship at the same time.
O
omnigender: Identifying as all genders. The term is specifically used to refute the concept of only two genders.
omniromantic: Refers to an individual who is romantically attracted to all genders, with gender playing a role in the attraction. This term differs from panromantic, in that people who are panromantic are also romantically attracted to people of all genders but do not notice their partner’s gender.
omnisexual: Refers to a person whose emotional, romantic, and/or physical attraction is to people of any gender, and who notice their partner’s gender. This term differs from pansexual, in that people who are pansexual are also emotionally, romantically, and physically attracted to people of all genders, but do not notice their partner’s gender.
open relationship: A relationship in which those involved agree that they may have sexual or romantic relations with others. Open relationships may be understood as consensually non-monogamous, but not all open relationships are polyamorous.
opposite sex: Inaccurate descriptor of gender, implying that there are only two genders that oppose one another. Also, an inaccurate descriptor of sex, as biological sexes are also not opposites. Better terms include different gender or different sex.
oppositional sexism: The belief that masculinity and femininity are rigid, mutually exclusive, categories. Also, the idea that men should not display any behaviors or characteristics commonly associated with women, and vice versa.
out: A term which describes people who openly self-identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ in their private, public, and/or professional lives. There are many states of being out; individuals can be out only to themselves, close friends, or everyone. Some transgender people prefer to use the term disclose.
outing someone: Accidentally or intentionally publicly revealing another person’s sexual orientation, gender identity, trans status, and/or relationship status without their permission. This can cause social, physical, emotional, or economic danger for the person being ‘outed.’ Outing someone can sometimes be done as an act of hate.
P
pangender: Refers to people who identify and/or express the many shades of gender.
panphobia: The fear and dislike of pansexuality. (See, homophobia, queerphobia, lesbophobia, biphobia).
panromantic: Refers to an individual who is romantically attracted to people of all genders but does not notice their partner’s gender. Panromantics will tend to feel that their partner’s sex and/or gender does little to define their relationship.
pansexual (Pan): 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.
passing/to pass: A term sometimes used to refer to the state of a 2SLGBTQIA+ person not being visibly recognized as 2SLGBTQ+. (See blending).
patriarchy: A social system where the bulk of power, authority, and control in society is held by men. This assigns greater importance to male identities and issues than to people of other gender identities.
polyamory: The practice of maintaining more than one romantic and/or sexual relationship simultaneously, and in a consensual manner (all parties are aware of the situation). Not all polyamorous folk will have more than one relationship at the same time.
polyamorous: A term used to describe people who have the desire for multiple consenting intimate relationships at the same time. Also referred to as “ethically non-monogamous,” “polya,” or “polyam.” Consent and transparency are key components of polyamorous relationships.
polyromantic: Refers to an individual who experiences romantic attraction towards people of more than one sex or gender, but not all. Unlike panromantic, this term implies that sex or gender is still a factor in attraction, and it does not imply the gender binary as biromantic does.
preference: A preference is a specific set of desires people have in romantic, emotional and/or sexual partners. People’s sexual orientations are not preferences, but they can have preferences (e.g. having a “type”) in the people they become involved with. Preferences can be logistical (e.g. lives within a certain distance, not looking for a relationship) and interest-based (e.g. likes to stay in, enjoys long walks on the beach). They can also be influenced by personal and systemic prejudices (e.g. not considering people whose gender expression does not conform to conventional standards of that gender, people whose bodies are not conventionally attractive, or people with other marginalized identities). People can have their own preferences but should consider examining why they hold these preferences in order to make sure they are not reproducing inequalities.
privilege: Unearned benefits, which are often unconscious or taken for granted, afforded to a particular population in society based on norms. There are multiple types of privilege, i.e., race privilege, gender privilege, sexual orientation privilege, etc. For example, heterosexual people have privilege in a heterosexist society because of their sexual orientation.
privilege: Refers to the social, economic and political advantages or rights held by people from dominant groups on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, social class, etc.
pronouns: A word used to refer to someone, without using their name(s). It is important to not make assumptions about the pronouns a person may use about themselves.
puberty blockers: Also referred to as hormone blockers, this is a form of gender-affirming medical care that allows young trans and gender-expansive people to prevent the potentially negative outcomes of going through a puberty that does not match their gender identity.
Q
QTIPOC: An acronym for Queer, Trans, and Intersex People of Colour. Queer people of colour often experience intersecting oppressions on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors, including within queer and trans communities. Some literature may also use qtibipoc (Queer, Trans, and Intersex, Black and Indigenous People of Colour) to call attention to the specific mechanisms and impacts of oppression experienced by Black and/or Indigenous communities.
queer: Sometimes used as an umbrella term for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Some people may also identify as queer instead of or in addition to more rigid identity categories. Historically a negative term, it has been reclaimed by many in the 2SLGBTQIA+ movement in the last few decades.
queerbaiting: A marketing technique in which media creators or executives allude to the presence of 2SLGBTQIA+ characters or relationships within their content but fail to include actual representation so as not to lose non-2SLGBTQIA+ viewers.
queerplatonic: Characterized by a desire to have a queerplatonic relationship with an individual in particular. These relationships include more, or deeper, commitment than simple friendship but are not romantic or sexual in nature for those involved.
queerphobia: A term used to include all forms of homophobia, lesbophobia, biphobia, and transphobia.
questioning: A person who is unsure of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
R
rainbow flag/colours: A symbol of queer presence, welcome, and pride which represents the diversity of queer communities.
reclaimed language: Language that has traditionally been used to hurt and degrade a community, but which community members have reclaimed and used as their own. Reclaimed language can be extremely important as a way of taking the negative power out of a word, claiming space, and empowering oneself. However, reclaimed language is also tricky and, depending on the context and the speaker, can be hurtful and dangerous. Some examples are ‘dyke,’ ‘fag,’ ‘homo,’ ‘queen,’ and ‘queer.’ Although these terms can be used in a positive way by those reclaiming them, it is still offensive to hear them used by others whose intent is to hurt. Although many LGBTQ2S people have reclaimed these terms, there are still others who consider any usage of these terms as offensive, particularly when used by people who do not personally identify with those terms.
romantic identity: Romantic identity refers to an individual’s pattern of romantic attraction based on a person’s gender(s) regardless of one’s sexual orientation. Romantic identities and sexual orientations are not mutually exclusive. For some people, they are the same (i.e. they are pansexual and panromantic), while they may be completely different for other people (i.e. they are asexual and biromantic).
romantic orientation: A way of characterizing one’s attraction to other people characterized by the expression or non-expression of love/romance/non-sexual interaction. People use a variety of labels to describe their romantic orientation, including aromantic, homoromantic, heteroromantic, panromantic, and biromantic.
S
sapphic: Drawn from the Greek lesbian poet Sappho’s name, a term used to refer to lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or otherwise same-gender loving women.
sex: Refers to the physical and physiological characteristics chosen to assign humans as male, female, or intersex. It is determined by characteristics such as sexual and reproductive anatomy and genetic make-up.
sexuality: The complex range of components which make us sexual beings; includes emotional, physical, and sexual aspects, as well as self-identification (including sexual orientation and gender), behavioral preferences and practices, fantasies, and feelings of affection and emotional affinity.
sexual fluidity: The concept that sexual orientation can vary across the lifespan and in different contexts. This does not mean that it can be changed through volition or therapy.
sexual orientation: An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people. It indicates who we are attracted to/want to be intimate with.
sex assigned at birth: The sex (male or female) given to a child at birth, most often based on the child’s external anatomy. This is also referred to as “assigned sex at birth.” (See AFAB/AMAB).
sogi (sexual orientation and gender identity): Everyone has a sexual orientation and gender identity (sogi). It’s an inclusive term that applies to everyone, whether they identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit, heterosexual, or cisgender. It’s important for workplaces to be inclusive and safe spaces for workers of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Being sogi-inclusive means speaking about sogi in a way that makes every person feel like they belong, not limiting a person’s potential based on their biological sex and how they understand or express their gender, and welcoming everyone without discrimination, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
T
T4T: Abbreviation of trans 4 trans. A trans or gender-expansive person who is only interested in emotional, romantic, intimate, and/or sexual partnerships with other trans people. It centers the beauty of being trans by celebrating the diversity of trans experiences. t4t relationships allow trans people space from having to explain their genders or experiences to cisgender partners.
throuple: A throuple, which is a mix of the words couple and three, is a romantic relationship between three people, in which every person is intimately linked with the other two. The relationship often operates the same as a couple would, but with three people instead of two.
top surgery: Surgery performed on an individual’s chest/breasts as a part of gender-affirming surgery. For afab people, this can be a chest reduction or a full removal. For amab people, this can be an increase in chest size using saline or silicone.
transfeminine: An umbrella term for trans people who identify with or express femininity. Transfeminine people may or may not identify as a woman.
transgender (trans): An umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Often shortened to trans.
transition: The process of changing one’s gender presentation and/or sex characteristics to align with one’s internal sense of gender identity. Transitioning can mean lots of different things. It can involve changing your name and pronouns. It can involve changing your appearance and dress. It can involve coming out to your friends and family. It can be a long and ongoing process, or it can be something that happens over a short period of time.
transmasculine: An umbrella term for trans people who identify with or express masculinity. Transmasculine people may or may not identify as a man.
transphobia: The fear and hatred of/or discomfort with transgender and gender non-conforming people. Like all prejudices, it is based on negative stereotypes and misconceptions that are then used to justify and support hatred, discrimination, harassment, and violence toward trans people.
transromantic: Refers to an individual who experiences romantic attraction to people they perceive to be transgender.
two-spirit (also two spirit or two-spirited (2s)): Some Indigenous people identify themselves as two-spirit rather than as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Historically, in many Indigenous cultures, two-spirit persons were respected leaders and medicine people. Two-spirit persons were often accorded special status based upon their unique abilities to understand both male and female perspectives. Note that this term is specific to Indigenous peoples and should not be used by those who are not Indigenous to describe themselves.
V
voguing: A highly stylized, modern, street-style dance, stemming from New York City ballroom culture [particularly in neighborhoods of color in Harlem and the Bronx] in the late 1980s. Vogue was created and has been nurtured by Black and Latinx 2SLGBTQIA+ people inspired by Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphics, as well as poses found in Vogue Magazine.
W
WLW: Women loving women refers to lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, or otherwise same-gender loving women. Often used in communities of color, this specification grew from the historical notion that any woman who had emotional, romantic, intimate, and/or sexual partnerships with women was a lesbian. As more understanding of sexuality has come to light, wlw has largely replaced lesbian as a unifying term to describe these women.
References
Egale. (n.d.). 2SLGBTQI Terms and Definitions and other gender and attraction diversity terminology AGENDER. https://egale.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/2SLGBTQI-Terms-and-Definitions-2.0.pdf
Government of Canada. (2024, February 6). 2SLGBTQI+ terminology – Glossary and common acronyms. Www.canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/women-gender-equality/free-to-be-me/2slgbtqi-plus-glossary.html
North Island Collage. (2022). Subject Guides: LGBTQ2S+: Glossary. Nic.bc.ca. https://library.nic.bc.ca/c.php?g=713649&p=5086477
PFLAG. (2023). LGBTQ+ Glossary. PFLAG. https://pflag.org/glossary/
Tripod Fertility. (2024, February 13). Tripod Fertility Toronto: Glossary of LGBTQ Terms. Tripod Fertility. https://www.tripodfertility.com/glossary-of-lgbtq-terms/
United Steelworkers. (2024, April 23). 2SLGBTQIA+ glossary: list of definitions - USW Canada. USW Canada. https://usw.ca/resources/2slgbtqia-glossary-list-of-definitions/