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.
Lesbian: A sexual and/or affectional orientation that describes a woman or nonbinary person who is primarily attracted to women. A nonbinary person may identify as lesbian because of their connection to womanhood and are primarily attracted to women.
Gay: A sexual and/or affectional orientation that describes people who are primarily attracted to people of the same gender identity as themselves. It may be used as an umbrella term for “not straight.”
Homosexual: An outdated term to describe a sexual orientation in which a person feels physically and emotionally attracted to people of the same gender. Historically, it was a term used to pathologize gay and lesbian people.
Bisexual/Bi: A sexual and/or affectional orientation that describes a person who is attracted to two different genders. They may be attracted toward people of the same and other genders, or toward people regardless of their gender. Some people may use bisexual and pansexual interchangeably.
Asexual/Ace: A broad spectrum of sexual orientations that describes a person who experiences varying degrees of sexual attraction or a desire for partnered sexuality. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity, despite sexual desire. Some asexual people do have sex and do experience varying levels of sexual attraction. There are many diverse ways of being asexual.
Aromantic/Aro: A romantic orientation generally characterized by not feeling romantic attraction or a desire for romance. Aromantic people can be satisfied by friendship and other non-romantic relationships. Many aromantic people also identify with a sexual orientation, such as asexual, bisexual, etc.
Demisexual: A sexual orientation in which someone feels sexual attraction only to people with whom they have an emotional bond. They may have some to little to no interest in sexual activity. Demisexuals are considered to be on the asexual spectrum.
Pansexual / Omnisexual: Terms used to describe people who have romantic, sexual or affectional desire for people of all genders and sexes. Has some overlap with bisexuality and polysexuality (not to be confused with polyamory).
Polysexuality: People who have romantic, sexual, or affectional desire for more than one gender. Not to be confused with polyamory. Has some overlap with bisexuality and pansexuality.
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 experience. T4T relationships allow trans people space from having to explain their genders or experiences to cisgender partners.
Polyamorous/Poly: Denotes consensually being in/open to multiple loving relationships at the same time. Some polyamorists (polyamorous people) consider “polyam” to be a relationship orientation. Sometimes used as an umbrella term for all forms of ethical, consensual, and loving non-monogamy.
Monogamous: Having only one intimate or affectional partner at any one time.
Heterosexual / Straight: A sexual orientation that describes women who are primarily emotionally and physically attracted to men, and men who are primarily emotionally and physically attracted to women.
Heteronormativity / Heterosexism: Heteronormativity is the assumption that everyone is heterosexual, or that being heterosexual is the only "normal" sexual orientation. Heteronormative social systems incentivize conforming to the behavior and appearance of heterosexuality. Heteronormativity can manifest as heterosexism, the biased belief that heterosexual identity is the only valid sexual orientation. Individuals, communities, policies, and institutions can perpetuate heteronormativity and heterosexism, and thus marginalize queer people and communities.
Biphobia: Discrimination towards, fear, marginalization, and hatred of bisexual people, or those who are perceived as bisexual. Biphobia can be present in both the LGBTQ+ and broader community.
Transgender/Trans: An adjective used most often as an umbrella term and frequently abbreviated to “trans.” Identifying as transgender means that one’s internal sense of gender does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth, based on societal and cultural expectations. Transgender is an umbrella term that can describe someone who identifies as a gender other than woman or man, like nonbinary, genderqueer, agender, multiple genders, etc.
Intersex: An umbrella term for people with a range of variations in primary and secondary sex characteristics that do not fit into binary notions of female or male bodies. Variations may involve sex chromosomes, external genitalia, gonads, hormone production, hormone responsiveness, and/or internal reproductive organs, and may be identified prenatally, at birth, during puberty, or later in life. People who are intersex may choose to identify as intersex, male, female, nonbinary, or any other gender identity they resonate with. Clinically, the term “intersex” is interchangeable with “differences/disorders of sexual development” or “DSD.”
Nonbinary/Non-binary/NB/Enby: An umbrella term for gender identities that go beyond the gender binary of female and male. Nonbinary people may refer to themselves as nonbinary, and/or may use a range of identity terms, such as: agender, bigender, genderqueer, and gender fluid. Often abbreviated as NB or enby.
Genderqueer: Describes people whose gender identity goes beyond the gender binary.
Gender Non-Conforming: Adjective for people who do not subscribe to societal expectations of typical gender expressions or roles. The term is more commonly used to refer to gender expression (how one behaves, acts, and presents themselves to others) as opposed to gender identity (one’s internal sense of self).
Genderfluid: A person whose gender identification and presentation are not fixed, whether within or outside of societal, gender-based expectations. A person who is gender fluid may always feel like a mix of more than one gender, but may feel more aligned with a certain gender some of the time, another gender at other times, both genders sometimes, and sometimes no gender at all.
Bigender: Describes a person who has two gender identities. Some choose to present characteristics that are masculine or feminine.
Agender: An identity under the nonbinary and trans+ umbrella. Some agender people feel that they have no gender identity, while others feel that agender is itself a gender identity.
Gender Neutral: Refers to anything that is not gendered. For example, gender-neutral language does not use binary male or female words, and gender-neutral restrooms are available to be used by anyone of any gender identity or expression.
Gender Dysphoria: Used to describe when a person experiences discomfort or distress because there is a mismatch between their sex assigned at birth and their gender identity. Dysphoria can also be distress experienced when a person's gender identity and/or gender expression is not affirmed. The degree and severity of gender dysphoria is highly variable among transgender and gender diverse people.
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.
Transition: An umbrella term for the range of actions that transgender and gender diverse people may undertake to live in greater alignment with their gender identity and/or gender expression, and thus thrive as their authentic selves. A person may affirm their gender identity or expression through social, legal, medical, or surgical means. What gender affirmation looks like for every individual is unique and based on what is personally affirming, what feels safe to do, and what is accessible and available.
Mx.: A gender-neutral title that some nonbinary or gender non-conforming people may choose to use instead of Mr., Ms., Mrs., etc.
Cisgender: Describes a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth, based on societal expectations. A term used to highlight the privilege of people who are not transgender.
Cisnormativity / Cissexism: Attitudes and behaviors that incorrectly assume gender is binary, ignoring genders besides women and men, and that people should and will align with conventional expectations of society for gender identity and gender expression. Heteronormativity often combines with heteronormativity to create societal expectations of behavior. Cisnormativity can manifest as cissexism, the pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion founded on the belief that there are, and should be, only two genders and that one’s gender or most aspects of it, are inevitably tied to assigned sex.
Deadname / Deadnaming: A deadname is a name that a trans+/nonbinary person no longer uses. Usually, it is the name assigned at birth. When someone uses this name, whether intentionally or not, it is referred to as deadnaming. Deadnaming is a form of misgendering.
Misgendering: To refer to someone in a way that does not affirm or align with that person's gender identity; for example, by using incorrect pronouns or by deadnaming. Misgendering someone can happen both intentionally and unintentionally.
Transphobia: Discrimination towards, fear, marginalization, and hatred of transgender and gender diverse people or those perceived as transgender or gender diverse.
Transmisogyny: Transmisogyny describes the intersecting oppressions and discriminations of transphobia and misogyny. Transphobia is the discrimination and oppression of trans people for their gender expression. Misogyny is the hatred and devaluation of women and of femininity. Transmisogyny primarily affects trans women and transfeminine people. However, it also affects trans and nonbinary folks who may be perceived as feminine.
Transmisogynoir: Transmisogynoir is similar to transmisogyny, but with an added identity. Transmisogynoir highlights the intersection between transphobia, misogyny, and anti-Blackness. It stems from the term “misogynoir.” Misogynoir emphasizes the intersections of misogyny and anti-Blackness, particularly towards Black cis women.
TERF: The term TERF is an acronym for “Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist.” used to describe anti-trans activists who seek to limit full equality for transgender people and exclude trans women from women’s spaces. Recently anti-trans activists have argued that TERF is a slur and have adopted the euphemism “gender critical” to describe their beliefs.
Gender Affirmation: A broad term encompassing actions, language, medical care, and more, that affirms someone’s gender identity or expression. What gender affirmation looks like for every individual is unique and based on what is personally affirming, what feels safe to do, and what is accessible and available.
Gender-Affirming Care: The provision of health services to support a person's process of living in alignment with their gender identity. Services may include gender-affirming hormone therapy and/or gender-affirming surgeries.
Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy / Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): The clinical provision of estrogen, androgen blockers, or testosterone to promote changes in the body that align with a person's gender identity.
Hormone Blockers / Puberty Blockers: Hormone blockers is a gender-affirming practice for transgender and gender non-conforming youth that uses certain types of hormones to pause pubertal development. The benefits of hormone blockers may include improved mental health, decreased gender dysphoria, and, in some cases, eliminate the need for future surgeries However, hormone blockers alone may not fully ease gender dysphoria. Not all transgender and gender non-conforming youth choose to take hormone blockers, and all individuals are valid in their transition process.
Binding: The process of reducing the appearance of breasts by wrapping or compressing the chest using various methods. Binding can be very gender-affirming for many people, however it must be done safely. The most common way for people to bind is by wearing an undergarment called a binder.
Tucking: A technique to reduce the appearance of a bulge and create the appearance of a flatter crotch area by positioning genitals in a particular way and using tape, tight shorts, or specially designed undergarments.
Top Surgery / Gender-Affirming Chest Surgery: Surgeries to reduce, construct, and/or reconstruct the chest to be more aligned with a person's gender identity. Gender-affirming chest surgeries are often referred to as 'top surgeries.' Types of chest surgeries may include breast augmentation or reduction, breast construction, mammoplasty, mastectomy, and chest contouring.
Bottom Surgery / Gender-Affirming Genital Surgery: Surgeries to remove and/or construct genitals and/or internal reproductive organs to be more aligned with a person's gender identity. Gender-affirming genital surgeries are often referred to as 'bottom surgeries.' Types of genital surgeries may include clitoroplasty, hysterectomy, labiaplasty, metoidioplasty, oophorectomy, orchiectomy, penectomy, phalloplasty, scrotoplasty, urethral lengthening, vaginectomy, vaginoplasty, and vulvoplasty.
Facial Reconstructive Surgery / Facial Gender surgery: Facial Reconstructive Surgery is a combination of gender-affirming procedures for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals to have a more gender-affirming appearing face. Some procedures are surgical, while others are not. Not all transgender and gender non-conforming individuals choose to undergo facial reconstructive surgery, and all individuals are valid in their transition process.
Transsexual: A term used in the late 20th century to describe people who have gone through the process of medical gender affirmation. While the term transsexual has largely been replaced with transgender, transsexual is still an important identity term for some members of the community, especially those born before 1980. This term should not be used for a trans person unless they specifically use the term to describe themselves.
Passing: When a trans individual is perceived as, or “passes” as, a cisgender man or woman. Passing is often thought of as a form of privilege, and the concept can also put unrealistic or unwanted expectations on trans/nonbinary folks to confirm to cisnormativity. Passing can also refer to gay/lesbian/queer people being regarded as straight. Historically, passing was often necessary as a form of safety for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Fag(got): A derogatory term referring to a gay person, or someone perceived as queer. While often used derogatorily, it is also used reclaimed by some gay people as a positive in-group term.
Butch: A gender expression that fits societal definitions of masculinity. Usually used by queer women and trans people, particularly by lesbians. Some consider “butch” to be its own gender identity. "Butch" is often used in comparison to "femme," which refers to individuals who present femininely. "Butch" is often used as an empowering term, but it can be used pejoratively.
Stud: A culture-specific identity that is often defined as a black masculine lesbian. As such, it is meant to be an identity label that is exclusively used by black people.
Dyke: A lesbian or queer woman. Some members of the LGBTQIA+ community have reclaimed this term, but it is still considered offensive to many. Only people who self-identify as a dyke should use this term.
Bear & Bear Community: A part of the queer community composed of queer cisgender, transgender, or gender variant men similar in physical looks and interests, most of them large, hairy, and on the masculine side of presentation. The community aims to provide spaces where one feels wanted, desired, and liked. It nourishes and values an individual’s process of making friends and learning self-care and self-love through the unity and support of the community.
Transmasculine / Transmasc: A term used to describe a person, usually AFAB or Intersex, who identifies with masculinity in some way. Includes Trans men, as well as other trans+ people who have a connection to masculinity.
Transfeminine / Transfem: A term used to describe a person, usually AMAB or Intersex, who identifies with femininity in some way. Includes Trans women, as well as other trans+ people who have a connection to femininity.
Enby: A slang term used for nonbinary. Enby is the phonetic pronunciation of “NB,” an abbreviation for nonbinary.
Androgynous: A person with a gender or gender presentation that is both masculine and feminine or in between masculine and feminine.
Sapphic: Used to describe any female-identifying person who is attracted to other female-identifying people. This broad term includes lesbians, bisexuals, omnisexuals, pansexuals, romantic asexuals, and other orientations, as well as nonbinary folks. Often sapphic is used as a more inclusive term instead of “women who like women (WLW)” or lesbian.
Femme: Historically used in the lesbian community to refer to a feminine lesbian, it is being increasingly used by other LGBTQIA+ people to describe gender expressions that reclaim and disrupt traditional constructs of femininity.
Masc: Historically used in the lesbian community to refer to a masculine lesbian, it is being increasingly used by other LGBTQIA+ people to describe gender expressions that reclaim and disrupt traditional constructs of masculinity.
Feminine-of-Center; Masculine-of-Center: A phrase that indicates a range in terms of gender identity and expression for people who present, understand themselves, and/or relate to others in a generally more feminine/masculine way, but don’t necessarily identify as women or men. Feminine-of-center individuals may also identify as “femme,” “submissive,” “transfeminine,” etc.; masculine-of-center individuals may also often identify as “butch,” “stud,” “aggressive,” “boi,” “transmasculine,” etc.
Same-Gender Loving: Also known as SGL, this is a term used by some African American people as an Afrocentric alternative to what are considered Eurocentric, or white, identities like gay and lesbian. Coined by activist Cleo Manago in the 1990s, the term and its usage explicitly recognizes the histories and cultures of people of African descent.
AMAB: Assigned Male at Birth. The terms AFAB and AMAB are used by a wide range of individuals, including those who are transgender, nonbinary, or intersex. While AFAB or AMAB may be useful for describing different trans or nonbinary experiences, they are generally not considered identities in and of themselves. Calling a transman “AFAB,” for example, erases his identity as a man. Instead, use a person’s requested pronouns and self-description.
AFAB: Assigned Female at Birth. The terms AFAB and AMAB are used by a wide range of individuals, including those who are transgender, nonbinary, or intersex.
FTM: Female to Male. Generally used to refer to anyone assigned female at birth whose affirmed gender identity or expression is masculine all or part of the time. Some people prefer the term ‘transitioning to male’ (or ‘male,’ ‘man’ or ‘trans man’), as this does not use misgendering language. This term is not used as often in the 2020s, but may be important in certain (e.g., medical) contexts.
MTF: Male to Female. Generally used to refer to anyone assigned male at birth whose affirmed gender identity or expression is feminine all or part of the time. Some people prefer the term ‘transitioning to female’ (or ‘female,’ ‘woman,’ ‘femme,’ or ‘trans woman’), as this does not use misgendering language. This term is not used as often in the 2020s, but may be important in certain (e.g. medical) contexts.
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].
