LGBTQIA+ Glossary

This glossary of LGBTQIA+ terminology is meant to evolve as language and culture changes. It is important to note that these identities and definitions are not definite. Words and identities mean different things to different people. This glossary is not comprehensive. It is meant to be a general resource for students and educators; a starting place for further understanding.


Sex (assigned at birth): Sex is a medically constructed category; the way doctors identify a person as male, female, or intersex. Sex is usually assigned before birth via ultrasound or at birth, based on the appearance of genitalia and/or chromosomes. Colloquially, the terms “sex assigned at birth” or “sex” are used interchangeably with “biological sex,” but the two (sex assigned at birth/sex and biological sex) are not synonymous.

Biological sex: Biological sex is a medical categorization made of a constellation of different physical characteristics, specifically a person’s genetics (chromosomes), gonads (organs that make hormones), dominant hormones, and internal and external genitalia. A person with XX chromosomes, ovaries, estrogen and progesterone dominant hormones, a uterus, uterine tubes, a vagina, clitoris, and labia is categorized as a “biological female.” A person with XY chromosomes, testicles, androgen dominant hormones, an epididymis, vas deferens, seminiferous tubules, a penis, and scrotum is categorized as a “biological male.” Because of the potential for variety in all these characteristics, biological sex is not binary. A person with a mix of biologically “female” and “male” characteristics may identify as intersex, and is clinically categorized as having “DSD,” a difference/disorder of sex development.

Sexuality: The components of a person that include their biological sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexual practices, etc.

Sexual Orientation: An enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction or non-attraction to other people. Sexual orientation can be fluid. A person may use multiple labels to represent their sexual orientation.

Gender/Gender identity: Gender is a social construct used to categorize a person as a man, woman, or other identifier (ie: agender, transgender, gender-fluid) and their social roles. Gender is often socially tied to the gender binary. Gender identity is fundamentally different from the sex one is assigned at birth or biological sex. It is a person’s inner sense of being a female/girl/woman, boy/man/male, both, neither, or beyond the gender binary.

Gender binary: The social belief that there are only two genders (woman/girl/female and man/boy/male).

Gender presentation/expression: How one expresses oneself, in terms of dress and behavior. Cultural and historical contexts influence how people interpret and express gender identity.

Pronouns: The words used in place of a person’s name, or to refer to someone in the third person. Oftentimes, pronouns are tied to one’s gender identity. Examples are she/her/hers, he/him/his, and they/them/theirs. People may identify with multiple pronouns to be used interchangeably or depending on their preference.

Neopronouns: New pronouns some people use to represent and affirm their gender identity. Examples include ze/hir/hirs, xe/xem/xyr, ae/aer/aers.

LGBTQIA+: Acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, and more. The “+” represents other identities that are not specified in this acronym, for example: pansexual, gender fluid, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, etc.

QTBIPOC: Acronyms for Queer People of Color; Queer Transgender People of Color; Queer Transgender Black Indigenous People of Color. Often used to discuss the ways in which intersectional identities can result in multifaceted systems and experiences of oppression.

Queer: An umbrella term describing sexual orientations and gender identities that go beyond heterosexual/straight and cisgender. Any LGBTQIA+ person may identify as queer. The term "queer" was historically a slur used against the LGBTQIA+ community. Younger generations chose to reclaim the word as a term of pride, while older generations may be averse to identifying as queer. The term can be considered hateful when used by those who do not identify as LGBTQIA+.

Spectrum: A range or sliding scale. Aspects of one's identity like sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression exist on a spectrum, or outside of it. For example, with sexual orientation, the attraction to men, women, or someone of another gender all exist on separate spectrums.

Questioning: The process of exploring one’s own gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. Some people may also use this term to name their identity within the LGBTQIA+ community.

Two-Spirit/2S:  An umbrella term encompassing sexuality and gender in Indigenous Native American communities. Two Spirit people often serve integral and important roles in their communities, such as leaders and healers. It may refer to an embodiment of masculinity and femininity but this is not the only significance of the term. There are a variety of definitions and feelings about the term two spirit – and this term does not resonate for everyone.  Two Spirit is a cultural term reserved for those who identify as Indigenous Native American. Although the term itself became more commonly used around 1990, two spirit people have existed for centuries.

Ally: To advocate for and support a marginalized community, or to be a person who advocates for and works to end oppression of a marginalized community.

Closeted / in the closet: A term used to describe someone who does not or has not shared one’s LGBTQIA+ identity publicly.

Coming Out: Coming out is the process of voluntarily sharing one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity with others. This process is unique for each individual and there is no right or wrong way to come out. Coming out occurs at various points throughout one's life. The term “coming out” has also been broadened to include other pieces of potentially stigmatized personal information. "Being out" means not concealing one's sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Outing/Outed: Involuntary or unwanted disclosure of another person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

Monosexual: People who have romantic, sexual, or affectional desire for one gender only. Identifying as straight or gay are the most well-known forms of monosexuality.

Cishet: An abbreviated term for someone who identifies as cisgender and heterosexual.

Cross Dresser: A word to describe a person who dresses, at least partially, as a member of a gender other than their assigned sex. This carries no implications of sexual orientation or gender identity. Cross dresser has replaced the word “transvestite.”

Drag / Drag King / Drag Queen: The theatrical performance of one or multiple genders via dressing in the clothing of a different gender, or in a manner different from how one would usually dress. Drag queens perform in distinctly feminine attire. Drag kings perform in distinctly masculine attire. Drag is a form of gender expression and is not an indication of gender identity. Individuals who dress in drag may or may not consider themselves to be transgender. They may identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, straight, or some other sexual orientation.

Conversion Therapy: The discredited and harmful practice of trying to forcibly change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Homophobia: Oppression, discrimination, and hatred directed toward members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Internalized homo / trans / bi / etc-phobia: The fear and self-hate of one or more of a person’s own identities that occurs for many individuals who have learned negative ideas about their identities throughout their life. One form of internalized oppression is the acceptance of the myths and stereotypes applied to the oppressed group.

Chosen family / Found Family: A chosen family or found family is a family that is chosen by an individual to support, teach, comfort, and offer kinship to them. A chosen family may be related by blood or marriage, but this is not a requirement to be considered family. They may have titles such as "mother" or "sister," depending on how the individual wants to label these relations. Anyone can have a chosen family, but chosen families are often created by queer people out of necessity. Many queer individuals may not be able to turn to their biological parents or families, because their biological families may not accept them as they are. Thus, queer and trans folks often create chosen families that support, accept, and affirm who they are.

Intersectionality: A term coined by law professor Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1980s to describe the way that multiple systems of oppression interact in the lives of those with multiple marginalized identities. Intersectionality is the idea that a person's various identities, particularly marginalized identities, interconnect and cannot be understood in isolation. Intersectionality looks at the relationships between multiple marginalized identities and allows us to analyze social problems more fully, shape more effective interventions, and promote more inclusive advocacy amongst communities.

Privilege: A set of unearned benefits given to people who fit into a specific social group. These unearned benefits are given to and held by a group in power (or in a majority). They necessitate the oppression and suppression of minority groups in order to uphold these privileges. Privileges must be acknowledged, and may pertain to ability, class, education, gender, sexuality, race, religion, and more. This concept has roots in W.E.B DuBois’ work on “psychological wage” and white people’s feelings of superiority over Black people.

Ableism: The pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion that oppresses people who are disabled, including differences in mental, cognitive, emotional, and/or physical abilities, through attitudes, actions, or institutional policies.

Cultural Humility: An approach to engagement across differences that acknowledges systems of oppression and embodies the following key practices: (1) a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique, (2) a desire to fix power imbalances where none ought to exist, and (3) aspiring to develop partnerships with people and groups who advocate for others on a systemic level.  (Melanie Tervalon & Jann Murray-García, 1998)

Microaggressions: Brief and subtle behaviors, whether intentional or not, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages about commonly oppressed identities. These actions cause harm through the invalidation of the oppressed person’s identity and may reinforce stereotypes. Examples of microaggressions include a person who is not white being told they speak “good English” or someone saying something is “gay” to mean they think something is bad.

Neurodiversity / Neurodivergent: Neurodiversity refers to the natural and important variations in how human minds think. These differences can include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyspraxia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, Tourette Syndrome, and others. Like other variable human traits like race, gender, sexuality, or culture, there is no right or wrong form of diversity. The social dynamics that exert power over other forms of diversity also impact neurodivergent people. Neurodiversity is not something to be cured or corrected to fit some social norm - rather, we should celebrate different forms of communication and self-expression and promote support systems to allow neurodivergent people to thrive.

Socialization: The process by which societal and cultural norms influence a number of aspects that frame how members of a community live, including how they might think, behave, and hold certain values. Socialization can reinforce assumptions or expectations that give power to systems of oppression.

Social Justice: A goal and a process in which the distribution of resources is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure. It begins with an acknowledgement that oppression and inequity exist and must be actively dismantled on all levels.


Definitions adapted from UC Davis’ LGBTQIA Resource Center, the National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center, The Safe Zone Project, PFLAG, and UC Santa Barbara’s Resource Center for Sexual & Gender Diversity.  Updated March 2024.

Are there words and definitions you don’t see in this glossary? Submit a request to update our glossary by emailing [email protected].