All of the lgbtq letters
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, changing and often signify different things to different people. They are provided below as a starting point for discussion and understanding. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the early s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help give others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they mean when they use a term, especially when they use it to detail their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a designation for themselves.
“If I didn't specify myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde
This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. T
Like our LGBTQ collective, the LGBTQ acronyms and definitions are always growing and changing. This progress is a nice thing and is indicative of the increasing inclusivity of the variance of gender, sexuality, and identity within our community.
But what do all these LGBTQ acronyms and letters stand for and mean? Some are historic terms that are returning into fashion, some are words that used to be derogatory but now have been reclaimed, and some are brand new to better identify the nuances within the LGBTQ community.
While this is by no means a definitive list, it will explain the more frequent and commonly used LGBTQ acronyms.
LGBT Acronym:The Classic
Although no longer seen as fully inclusive, the classic four-letter LGBT acronym has become internationally synonymous with the lgbtq+ community. . This is the most well-known of all the acronyms, debuting back in the mids as a way to unite the community and move away from the often derogatory-laced “homosexual” (among other words). Originally, it began as just LGB, with the transgender “T” coming in later.
People are often confused by the terms lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, queer and the related acronym LGBTQIA+. The following definitions will help you to grasp these terms.
LGBTQIA+: The first four letters of this standard abbreviation are “Lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual and transgender.” The letter Q can remain for “questioning” -- as in still exploring one’s sexuality -- or “queer,” or sometimes both. The I,A and + were added on later to stand for Intersex, Ally or Asexual, and the PLUS sign for everyone else that wasn't included in the first letters.
Lesbian: A woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to some other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women. Avoid naming lesbians as “homosexuals,” a derogatory term (see Repulsive Terms to Avoid).
Gay: The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, sentimental and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (e.g., gay man, gay people). I
What Is the &#;I&#; in LGBTQIA+?
June is National LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Somewhat recently, the Self-acceptance acronym has adopted more letters. Many sources now refer to the LGBTQIA+ community, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual , queer, intersex, and asexual. While some of those words are often discussed, others may need some further explanation. We turned to Laurel A. Beck, PhD, Senior Instructor in CU Denver’s Department of Integrative Biology to explain the “I” in LGBTQIA+.
First things first. One aspect that makes all the letters in LGBTQ+ difficult for some people to realize is the difference between sex and gender. Comedian and social justice activist Sam Killermann, who previously presented a comedy performance called “It’s Pronounced Metrosexual” at college campuses nationwide, now creates edugraphics to explain the complexities of sex and gender. As his Genderbread Person illustrates, sex relates to a person’s anatomy, while gender refers to a person’s self-identified feeling of organism male, female, or a combination.
Beck, who researches endocrinology, re