LQBTQIA+ A-Z Terms

AFAB is an acronym meaning “Assigned Female at Birth”. No one, whether cis or trans, get to choose what sex they are assigned at birth; this term is preferred to “biological female”, “female bodied”, “natal female” and “born female” which are inaccurate and defamatory.

The gender which a person wishes too be known by. This term often replaces terms such as “new gender” or “chosen gender”.

Agender refers to a person who does not identify with any gender.

AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.

An Ally is a term used to describe someone who is supportive of the LGBTQIA+ individuals and the community, either personally or as an advocate.

The AMAB is an acronyms which means assigned male at birth. No one, whether cis or trans, gets to choose what sex they’re assigned at birth. This term is preferred to “biological male/female”, “male/female bodied”, “natal male/female”, and “born male/female”, which are defamatory and inaccurate.

Anatomy is a field in biological science that is concerned with the identification and description of the body structures of living things.

Androgynous is typically used to describe a person’s appearance (or clothing) as having elements of both femininity and masculinity. An androgynous individual is often referred to as “Androgyne”.

If an individual identifies as Aromantic they have a lack of romantic attraction. This may be used as an umbrella term for other emotional attractions.

Asexual refers to an individual who does not experience romantic or sexual attraction. Each asexual person experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently.

The gender that is assigned to an infant at birth which is meant to correspond to the child’s assigned sex.

The sex that is assigned to an infant at birth which is meant to correspond to the child’s assigned sex.

The gender others assume an individual to be based on the sex they are assigned at birth, as well as apparent gender markers such as physical build, voice, clothes and hair.

Bigender refers to those who identify as two genders.

Used as an adjective (describing word) to describe the genders female/male or woman/man.

Biological Sex refers to the anatomical, physiological, genetic, or physical attributes that determine is a person is male, female, or intersex.

Biphobia refers to a dislike or prejudice against bisexual people.

An individual who identifies as biromantic are attracted to people of two specific and distinct gender identities.

Individuals who identify as biromantic aren’t necessarily sexually attracted to the same people they are romantically attracted too.

Bisexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behaviour toward both males and females, or to more than one gender.

Genital Surgeries, such as vaginoplasty, phalloplasty, or metoidioplasty.

An identity or presentation that leans towards masculinity. Butch can be an…

• Adjective – “she’s a butch woman”
• Verb – “he went home to butch up”
• Noun – “they identify as a butch”

Although commonly associated with masculine queer/lesbian women, it is used by many to describe a distinct gender identify and/or expression, and does not necessarily imply that one also identifies as a woman or not.

A chosen name (sometimes know as a preferred name) is the use of a name, usually a first name, that is different from a person’s legal name.

Cisgender refers to an individual whose gender identity aligns with the one typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth

Cishet is a term used to describe someone who is both cisgender and heterosexual. it simply means that they are the gender they were assigned at birth and exclusively romantically and sexually attracted to those of the opposite gender.

Systemic prejudice in the favour of cisgender people

Cissexism is a term that describes a prejudice, hatred, or hostility towards transgender people. This term is also known as “transphobia”.

The expectation for (an act of) trans people, espeically trans women, assimilating to cisgender and heternomative standards of appearance and performance.

Closeted is used to describe a person who is not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individuals sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms.

An increasing number of jurisdictions around the world have passed laws against conversion therapy.

The act of dressing and presenting as a different gender. On who considers this an important part of their identity may identify as a “cross-dresser”.

Dead Name refers to a name that a transgender person was given at birth and no longer uses upon transitioning.

Demisexual refers to an individual who feels a sexual attraction towards another person only after establishing an emotional bond with that person

Disclosure is a word that some people use to describe the act or process of revealing one’s transgender or gender-expansive identity to another person.

Discrimination is treating a person or particular group of people differently especially in a worse way from the way in which you treat other people, because of their race, gender, sexuality, etc.

Double Mastectomy is surgery where both breasts are removed. Also known as a bilateral mastectomy.

The term “drag” refers to the performance of exaggerated masculinity, femininity, or other forms of gender expression, usually for entertainment purposes.

A drag queen is someone (usually male) who performs femininity and a drag king is someone (usually female) who performs masculinity.

An identity or presentation that leans towards femininity. Femme can be used as an…

• Adjective – “he’s a femme boy”
• Verb – “she feels better when she femmes up”
• Noun – “they’re a femme”

Although commonly associated with feminine lesbian/queer women, it is used by many to describe a distinct gender identity and/or expression, and does not necessarily imply that one also identifies as a woman or not.

FTM is short for female-to-male.

Sexually or romantically attracted to exclusively to people of their own sex or gender (used especially for a man)

Gender refers to the characteristics of men, women, a mixture of both, or neither, that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated. As a social construct gender varies from society to society and can change over time.

Gender Affirming Surgery (also known as GAS) are surgical procedures that can help people adjust their bodies to more closely match their gender identity. Not every transgender person will desire or have resources for surgery.

Sometimes referred to as “sexual reassignment surgery”, “genital reconstruction surgery”, or “medical transition”.

Gender Dysphoria is a state of severe distress or unhappiness cause by feeling that your gender identity does not match the sex registered at birth

Gender Euphoria is often described as a powerful feeling of happiness experienced as a result of moving away from ones birth-assigned gender.

An umbrella term that is sometimes used to describe children and young people that “expand” their gender expression and identity beyond what is thought of as expected gender norms for their society or context.

Gender Expression is how an individual communicates about gender to others, through external means such as clothing, appearance, or mannerisms. Gender Expression may or may not reflect the individuals gender identity or sexual orientation.

Someone who is gender fluid is a person whose gender identity is not fixed.

An individuals deeply held core sense of being of a gender, e.g., being a woman, man, some of both or neither. A person’s gender identity does not always correspond to biological sex.

A Gender Identity Clinic is a type of specialist clinic providing services relating to transgender health care.

The Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) is for children and young people, and their families, who experience difficulties in the development of their gender identity.

Gender Identity Disorder, also known as GID, is a controversial diagnosis given to transgender and other gender-nonconforming people. Because it labels people as “disorder”, Gender Identity Disorder is often considered offensive. This term has since been replaced by the term gender dysphoria in the DSM-5.

Gender Neutral refers to being not gendered. This can refer to language (including pronouns), spaces (like bathrooms), or identities (e.g., being genderqueer).

Gender Nonconforming is a term used to describe those who view their gender identity as one of many possible genders beyond strictly man or women. This term is considered by some to be outdated.

Gender Outlaw is a person who defies traditional gender roles by refusing to be defined by conventional definition of man and woman.

Gender pronouns are used to specifically refer to the person you are referring to, e.g., she, he, they, ze.

Gender Queer is used an umbrella term in much the same way that the term ‘queer’ is used, but only referring to gender. Gender Queer refers to individuals who identify as a combination of male and female, neither male or female, or both male and female.

Gender Socialisation is the process which individuals are taught how they “should” behave in terms of gender.

Gender Spectrum is the concept that gender exists on a continuum, rather than simply being the man/woman binary model. People can move fluidly along the spectrum, and some identify off the spectrum entirely.

Gender Variant is a term, often used by the medical community, to describe children, young people and others who dress/behave/express themselves in a way that does not conform to dominant gender norms. People outside the medical community tend to avoid this term because they feel it suggests these identities are abnormal.

A person who is genderflux experiences a range of intensity within a gender identity. For example, a person who is boyflux may identity as fully masculines to partially masculine (demiboy) and slightly masculine (libramasculine) to fully agender.

Gendervoid is a gender expression or identity defined by the lack of an experience of any gender.

A crime, typically one involving violence, that is motivated by prejudice on the basis of ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or similar grounds.

Heteronormativity is a term which refers to the assumption that heterosexuality is the “norm” or “preferred” sexual orientation. This assumption plays out in interactions and society, and furthers the marginalisation of queer people.

Heterosexism is discrimination or prejudice against gay people on the assumption that heterosexuality is the “normal” sexual orientation.

Heterosexual refers to an individual who is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of the other sex.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and diseases.

Homophobia is irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or gay people.

Homophobia Bullying is when people behave or speak in a way which makes someone feel bullied because of their actual or perceived sexuality.

Homosexual means an individual is sexually or romantically attracted exclusively to people of their own sex or gender.

Some transgender men and women seek hormone therapy as part of their transition process.

Testosterone is used in transgender men to induce the development of male characteristics and suppress feminine characteristics.

In Transgender women, Oestrogen is used to induce the development of feminine characteristics, and anti-androgens are used to help suppress masculine features.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the womb (uterus).

Being inclusive means that you act based on the belief that everyone has the same rights.

Internalised homophobia and oppression happens to LGBTQIA+ individuals and even heterosexuals, who have learned and been taught that heterosexuality is the norm and “correct way to be”. Hearing and seeing negative depictions of LGBTQIA+ people can lead us to internalise, or take in, these negative messages.

An adjective used to describe a person with one or more innate sex characteristics, including genitals, internal reproductive organs, and chromosomes, that fall outside of traditional conceptions of male or female bodies. Intersex people are assigned a sex at birth — either male or female — and that decision by medical providers and parents may not match the gender identity of the child. Not all intersex folks identify as being part of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Usually refers to a woman who has a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards women. Some non-binary people also identify with this term

LGBTQIA+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual and more. The ‘plus’ is used to signify all of the gender identities and sexual orientations that letters and words cannot yet fully describe.

A person whose gender identity is masculine (but who is not necessarily a man)

Masculine of Centre is a queer masculine identity, that recognises the breadth and depth of identity for women who tilt towards the masculine side of the gender scale.

Metoidioplasty is the surgical creation of a penis using your existing genital tissue.

Microaggressions are defined as the everyday, subtle, intentional (and sometimes unintentional) interactions or behaviours that communicate some sort of bias towards marginalised groups.

Minority Stress describes high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatised minority groups.

To misgender someone, is to refer to someone, especially a transgender or gender-expansive person, using a word (e.g., pronoun or form of address), which does not correctly reflect the gender with which they identify.

Monosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction to members of one sex or gender only.

This is an internet slang term, which means men seeking men / males seeking males.

MTF is an abbreviation of male-to-female

Multisexual typically refers to people who experience attraction to multiple genders.

Mx. is a title used before a surname or full name to refer to a person of unspecified or non-binary gender.

Non-binary refers to individuals who identify as neither man nor woman, both man and woman, or a combination of man or woman.

Non-monosexual typically refers to people who experience attraction to multiple genders.

A non-binary gender identity that identifies with all genders while distinguishing between them as separate and unique in experience.

An Oophorectomy is a surgical procedure to remove on or both of the ovaries.

Orchidectomy is surgery to remove your testicles.

‘Out’ generally describes people who openly self-identify as LGBTQIA+ in their private, public and/or professional lives.

Packing is wearing padding or a phallic object in the front of the pants or underwear to give the appearance of having a penis or bulge.

Pangender refers to a person whose gender identity is not limited to one gender and may encompass all genders at once.

Pansexual refers to being sexually or romantically attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender.

In the context of gender, “passing” is when someone is perceived as gender or sex other than the sex they were assigned at birth.

A trans person who is perceived as cisgender may face less prejudice, harassment, and risk of violence, as well as better employment opportunities. This is sometimes termed passing privilege.

Penectomy is penis removal through surgery.

Phalloplasty is the surgical creation of a penis.

Polyamorous people have multiple loving, intentional, and intimate relationships at the same time.

Polygender is a non-binary gender identity in which a person feels they have more than one gender identity, either simultaneously or varying between them.

Polysexual is being capable of being attracted to multiple genders.

A preferred gender pronoun, sometimes called proper gender pronoun, is the pronoun or set of pronouns that an individual personally uses and would like others to use when talking to or about that individual.

Pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people as a social group.

Puberty Blockers, also called hormone blockers, help delay unwanted physical changes that don’t match someone’s gender identity.

Referring to a sexual or gender identity that does not match/correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms

The “questioning” of one’s sexual orientation, sexual identity, gender or all three is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, or concerned about applying a label to themselves for various reasons.

The act of using or adding rainbow colours and/or imagery to advertising, apparel, accessories, landmarks in order to indicate progressive support for LGBTQ equality (and earn consumer credibility), but with a minimum of effort or pragmatic result.

A person’s romantic orientation, also called affectional orientation, is the classification of the sex or gender with which a person experiences romantic attraction towards or is likely to have a romantic relationship with.

Same-Gender Loving is a term sometimes used by members of the African American/Black community to express an alternative sexual orientation (gay/bisexual) without relying on terms and symbols of European descent.

Scrotoplasty can be part of gender affirmation surgery where doctors form new scrotums.

Sex refers to the anatomical, physiological, genetic, or physical attributes that define if a person is male, female, or intersex. Also known as Anatomical Sex.

“Sex assigned at birth” means the male or female designation that doctors ascribe to infants based on genitalia and is marked on their birth certificate.

Sexual fluidity is when your sexual orientation isn’t fixed.

Sexual Health is the ability of women and men to enjoy and express their sexuality and to do so free from risk of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy, coercion, violence and discrimination.

Sexual orientation is emotional, romantic, or sexual feelings towards other people.

Sexuality is a person’s identity in relation to the gender or genders to which they are typically attracted.

A slur is an insulting, shaming or degrading remark or innuendo.

Social Norms are shared standards of acceptable behaviour by groups. Norms are shared social beliefs about behaviour.

SOGI is an abbreviation of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

This is used to identify The Council of Europe Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Unit which was set up in 2014 to address human rights challenges and combat discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

STDs, or Sexually Transmitted Diseases, are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

Stealth is a term used to describe transgender or gender-expansive individuals who do not disclose their transgender or gender-expansive status in their public or private lives (or certain aspects of their public and private lives). The term is increasingly considered offensive by some as it implies an element of deception. The phrase maintaining privacy is often used instead, though some individuals use both terms interchangeably.

A Stereotype is a widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing. These may often be unfair and untrue beliefs.

STIs, or sexually transmitted infections, are infections that are passed from one person to another through sexual contact.

A strong feeling of disapproval that most people in a society have about something, especially when this is unfair.

Straight is a slang term for a heterosexual (romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between people of the opposite sex or gender).

T is short for testosterone.

Third Gender is a category of people who do not identify as male or female, but rather as neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.

Tokenism is something that a person or organisation does that seems to support or help a group of people who are untreated unfairly in society, but which is not meant to make changes that would help that group of people in a lasting way.

Top Surgery refers to chest surgery, such as a double mastectomy, breast augmentation, or keyhole surgeries.

A person whose gender identity does not match or correspond with the sex registered for them at birth. Also known as transgender.

A Trans Man generally describes someone assigned female at birth who identifies as a man. This individual may or may not actively identify as trans. Often it is good just to use man.

A Trans Woman generally describes someone assigned male at birth who identifies as a women. This individual may or may not actively identify as trans. Often it is good just to use woman.

Transgender often shortened to trans. A term describing a person’s gender identity that does not necessarily match their assigned sex at birth. Transgender people may or may not decide to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically to match their gender identity.

Transition is a term sometimes used to refer to the process (social, legal, and/or medical) a person goes through to discover and/or affirm one’s gender identity.

The validity of an individual’s gender identity does not depend on any social, legal, and/or medical transition; the self-identification itself is what validates the gender identity.

Transmisogyny is a term coined by Julia Serano, which designates the intersectionality of transphobia and misogyny, and how they are often expressed as a form of oppression by trans women.

Transphobia is systemic violence against trans people, associated with attitudes such as fear, discomfort, distrust, or disdain.

Transsexual is a less frequently use term which refers to people who (or consider using) medical interventions, such as hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery, or pursue medical interventions as part of the process of expressing their gender.

Some people who identify as transsexual do not identify as transgender and vice versa.

This term is considered by some to be out-dated or possibly offensive, and others to be uniquely applicable to them.

Two Spirit is an umbrella term indexing various indigenous gender identities in North America.

Vaginectomy is surgery to remove the vagina.

Vaginoplasty is a surgical procedure to create a vagina and vulva.

WSW is an abbreviation for women seeking women.