androgynous: A term used as both a self-description and a means to describe those whose outward appearance, mannerisms, expressions, and/or identifications combine masculine and feminine traits in a way that produces an ambiguity. Because androgyny calls the two-gender system (masculine and feminine) into question, androgynous individuals have been both eroticized and subject to discrimination.
Bisexual: A term used as both a self-description and a means to describe those who classify themselves as possessing significant sexual/romantic attraction to individuals who are attracted to men and women, though not necessarily equally or simultaneously. As more people acknowledge that there are more than two sexes (male/female), the term pansexual has come into use to identify that you are attracted to people regardless of gender, though not necessarily equally or simultaneously.
Biphobia: This term describes the irrational fear and hatred of people who are bisexual/pansexual etc., and is not exclusively perpetrated by heterosexuals. Biphobia is just as rampant and sometimes even more aggressive by lesbian and gay individuals than heterosexuals, in part because bisexuals are viewed by some to have "passing privilege", the ability to blend in to society when needed, by sheer virtue of their orientation.
cisgender: A term used to describe someone whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were at designated at birth. It can also be used to describe
someone whose gender expression is considered appropriate by society (when the male/female paradigm is in force) to the sex they were designated at birth. The terms "cis-woman" and "cis-man" and "cissexism" are also extensions of the term.
cissexism: A term used to describe the marginalization of gender non-conforming individuals by cisgender individuals.
FTM: This is an acronym for the term “female-to-male” and is used to describe transgender individuals who were assigned the sex of female at birth, but express masculine gender identities through aesthetic, surgical, social, and/or behavioral changes. Not all transgender masculine people identify as FTM because not all people conceptualize their gender as a transition from one binary sex to another. Some understand themselves to be transgender, neither male nor female, some combination of both, or a third or alternative gender, such as genderqueer or trans.
Gay: A term used mostly in reference to men who have significant sexual and/or romantic attraction and relationships with men and only men. At times gay is used to refer to all people, regardless of gender, who have primary sexual/romantic attractions to people of their same gender.
Genderqueer: This term describes a gender identity that is embraced by people whose genders are unconventional or non-normative. A genderqueer identity often emerges from a political resistance to the gender binary system and is generally, but not always, embraced by people of younger generations.
Gender-Variant: This term describes people who by chance or choice do not conform to gender norms associated with their assigned sex.
Heteronormative: This concept describes actions, institutions, ideologies, and systems that assume heterosexuality is the normal sexual orientation. Heteronormativity not only places expectations, demands and constraints on the sexual subject to act in specific ways, it stigmatizes, criminalizes and marginalizes other forms of sexualities. This ideological structure carries into the workplace, legislatures, and prisons and other significant sites, producing discrimination, misconduct, bias and heterosexual privilege.
Heterosexism: A term used to describe beliefs and practices that privilege heterosexuals over homosexuals. Heterosexism is rooted in the belief that homosexual people are in some way inferior or abnormal; as such it results in systems that marginalize and alienate LGBTQ people.
Heterosexual: A term that came into common usage during the mid-twentieth century to describe men who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with women—exclusively; the term also describes women who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with men- exclusively.
Heterosexual Privilege: This term describes the social, political, and economic advantages and privileges afforded to people who engage in heterosexual practices and relationships. For example, through the institution of marriage, heterosexuals are afforded economic and political advantages and rights that others are not. The United States of America legalized same-sex marriage in the past few years and now affords many of these same rights to LGBTQ individuals. However, unlike heterosexuals, LGBTQ marriage rights are still hotly debated and could possibly be rolled back. Also LGBTQ people face many forms of discrimination that are not regularly experienced by heterosexual individuals, thus creating unique personal challenges specifically endured by LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups.
Homophobia: A term initially used to describe the fear and hatred of, or the discomfort around, those who identify as gay, lesbian, homosexual, or queer. While the term has been extended to include bisexual and transgender people two new terms emerged, biphobia and transphobia, to describe the specific character of hatred of bisexual and transgender communities. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe discriminatory bias, harassment and violence.
Homosexual: A term that came into common usage in the mid-twentieth century to describe (1) men who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with men— exclusively (2) and, women who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with women—exclusively. Given its use in attributing sexual orientation to a medical condition
and criminalizing same-sex relationships, many prefer the terms “gay” or “lesbian” to describe their identities.
Intersexed: Formerly described by scientists as hermaphrodites, intersex is the preferred term used by intersexed people to describe their biological sex, whose combination of chromosomes, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals differs from one of the two expected patterns, either male or female. It is estimated that 1 in 100 babies differ from standard definitions of male or female and approximately 1 in 1000 babies is subject to surgery to “normalize” genital appearance to either male or female. Intersex people are increasingly speaking out against these normalizing surgeries and report that there are no known cases of individuals who feel that their lives were made better as a result of medical body modifications. Avoid using the clinical term “hermaphrodite,” which is generally found offensive.
Lesbian: A term used to describe women who have significant sexual and/or romantic attraction and relationships with women—exclusively.
LGBTQI: LGBTQI is an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersexed” and is sometimes referred to as the “alphabet soup” because the number of genders and sexualities represented in the acronym have grown over time.
Homosexual: A term that came into common usage in the mid-twentieth century to describe (1) men who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with men— exclusively (2) and, women who have emotional, romantic, or sexual attractions and relationships with women—exclusively. Given its use in attributing sexual orientation to a medical condition
and criminalizing same-sex relationships, many prefer the terms “gay” or “lesbian” to describe their identities.
Intersexed: Formerly described by scientists as hermaphrodites, intersex is the preferred term used by intersexed people to describe their biological sex, whose combination of chromosomes, hormones, internal sex organs, and genitals differs from one of the two expected patterns, either male or female. It is estimated that 1 in 100 babies differ from standard definitions of male or female and approximately 1 in 1000 babies is subject to surgery to “normalize” genital appearance to either male or female. Intersex people are increasingly speaking out against these normalizing surgeries and report that there are no known cases of individuals who feel that their lives were made better as a result of medical body modifications. Avoid using the clinical term “hermaphrodite,” which is generally found offensive.
Lesbian: A term used to describe women who have significant sexual and/or romantic attraction and relationships with women—exclusively.
LGBTQI: LGBTQI is an acronym for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersexed” and is sometimes referred to as the “alphabet soup” because the number of genders and sexualities represented in the acronym have grown over time.
MTF: This is an acronym for the term “male-to-female” and is used to describe transgender individuals who were assigned the sex of male at birth, but express feminine gender identities through aesthetic, surgical, social, and/or behavioral changes. Not all transgender feminine people identify as MTF because not all people conceptualize their gender as a transition from one binary sex to another. Some understand themselves to be transgender, neither male nor female, some combination of both, or a third or alternative gender, such as genderqueer or trans.
Outing: A term used to describe the act of exposing someone, without their consent, as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or questioning; in essence “outing” them from the closet. It is considered disrespectful and potentially harmful to “out” someone has not given their consent to do so.
Pansexual: A term used as both a self-description and a means to describe those who classify themselves as possessing significant sexual/romantic attraction to individuals regardless of their sex or gender, though not necessarily equally or simultaneously. Pansexuality is premised on the idea that there are more than two biological sexes and gender expressions and includes trans* and intersexed people into its scope.
Passing: A term first used to describe the experience of light-skinned African Americans who were perceived as white, the term is now also used to describe the experience of trans* people who are perceived as cisgender. The experience of passing is complicated, affording certain privileges while creating other forms of stress, isolation, and invisibility. Thus, while a trans* person might feel relief when passing (as they can avoid overt experiences of transphobia), they may also feel that the full range of their experiences are hidden.
Pink Triangle: The pink triangle was one of the Nazi concentration camp badges, used to identify male prisoners who were sent there because of their homosexuality. Every prisoner had to wear a downward-pointing triangle on their jacket, the color of which was to categorize them by "kind". Originally intended as a badge of shame, the pink triangle (often inverted from its Nazi usage) has been reclaimed as an international symbol of gay pride and the gay rights movement, and is second in popularity only to the rainbow flag.
Queer: Originally a derogatory slur, this term has been reclaimed since the 1980s, primarily among middle-class European Americans in activist, artistic, and scholarly communities, as an umbrella word to encompass all people who diverge from hetero and homonormative genders and sexualities. Because of its original derogatory nature as well as the theory it has come to embody, it has remained a controversial term in LGBTQI communities.
Outing: A term used to describe the act of exposing someone, without their consent, as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or questioning; in essence “outing” them from the closet. It is considered disrespectful and potentially harmful to “out” someone has not given their consent to do so.
Pansexual: A term used as both a self-description and a means to describe those who classify themselves as possessing significant sexual/romantic attraction to individuals regardless of their sex or gender, though not necessarily equally or simultaneously. Pansexuality is premised on the idea that there are more than two biological sexes and gender expressions and includes trans* and intersexed people into its scope.
Passing: A term first used to describe the experience of light-skinned African Americans who were perceived as white, the term is now also used to describe the experience of trans* people who are perceived as cisgender. The experience of passing is complicated, affording certain privileges while creating other forms of stress, isolation, and invisibility. Thus, while a trans* person might feel relief when passing (as they can avoid overt experiences of transphobia), they may also feel that the full range of their experiences are hidden.
Queer: Originally a derogatory slur, this term has been reclaimed since the 1980s, primarily among middle-class European Americans in activist, artistic, and scholarly communities, as an umbrella word to encompass all people who diverge from hetero and homonormative genders and sexualities. Because of its original derogatory nature as well as the theory it has come to embody, it has remained a controversial term in LGBTQI communities.
Questioning: This term describes people who are curious about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and do not feel that they fit neatly into any one classification system.
Rainbow Flag – This symbol was designed in 1978 in San Francisco by artist Gilbert Baker to signify the diversity and unity of the LGBT movement. Originally, there were eight colors in the flag; pink for sexuality, red for light, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for natural serenity, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit. In 1979, the flag was modified to its current six-stripe format (pink was omitted, blue was substituted for turquoise and indigo, and violet became purple).
Rainbow Flag – This symbol was designed in 1978 in San Francisco by artist Gilbert Baker to signify the diversity and unity of the LGBT movement. Originally, there were eight colors in the flag; pink for sexuality, red for light, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for natural serenity, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit. In 1979, the flag was modified to its current six-stripe format (pink was omitted, blue was substituted for turquoise and indigo, and violet became purple).
Sexual Orientation – This concept describes the idea that people have an intrinsic and enduring or continuing attraction to people of a particular gender and/or sex. While some feel that sexual orientation is primarily genetic or biological, others argue that biology and desire is shaped by social, cultural and political norms, expectations, and obligations—making orientation and identity also historical.
Sex Reassignment Surgery – Popularly known as a “sex change operation,” “sex reassignment surgery” is the medical term to describe these surgical procedures. While many trans* people do not surgically alter their physical anatomy, some seek to modify their body to be in concert with their gender identity. This surgery, which is not covered by most health insurance plans, is not as common as hormone therapy.
Transgender or Trans*: Transgender or trans* is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender/Trans* is often mistakenly understood to mean “transsexual.” The following identities may fall under the transgender umbrella:
androgynous, transgender, FTM, MTF, gender-fluid, gender non-conforming, genderqueer and gender-variant.
Transgender Pride Flag: There are several flags used and endorsed by the varying transgender individuals, organizations and communities throughout the world. The most prominent of these flag designs is known as the "Transgender Pride Flag" which is a symbol of transgender pride and diversity, and transgender rights. The Transgender Pride flag was created by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999, and was first shown at a pride parade in Phoenix, Arizona, United States in 2000. The flag represents the transgender community and consists of five horizontal stripes: two light blue, two pink, and one white in the center. Helms describes the meaning of the transgender pride flag as follows: "The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives.".
Transition: A term used to describe the process by which a transgender and/or gender non-conforming person begins to embody their gender identity, which often diverges from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transition can, but does not necessarily include, coming out, changing gender expression, beginning hormone therapy, using gender pronouns different from ones used before, having gender confirming surgery, etc. Transition does not have any required steps or any particular order; it is unique to the individual.
Transphobia: This term describes the irrational fear and hatred of people who are gender non-conforming. Transphobia is not only perpetrated by cisgender heterosexuals, but also can be found in the LGBT community. Homophobia within the transgender community is also not unheard of. This largely stems, on both ends of the spectrum, from resentment caused by the perception that one party is diminishing or tarnishing the reputation of the other. Therefore this is an issue that has as much to do with classism as it does with sexual orientation or gender identity.
Transsexual: A term used to describe a person who (1) identifies as a gender/sex other than the one they were given at birth and (2) who seeks or is seeking body modification (such as hormones, surgeries) in order to express their internal sense of gender. The term, while still in use, has largely been replaced by the word transgender, due to not being inclusive of the broader trans community and because of its relation to medical terminology.
Two-Spirit: An umbrella term applied to Indigenous North Americans who embody one of many traditional mixed gender roles found among Native American and Canadian First Nation cultures. Two-spirited persons do not fit neatly into Western transgender categories. It is a term of reverence, traditionally referring to people who display both masculine and feminine characteristics who are thought to have higher spiritual powers. As such they may play significant roles in society as healers or leaders
Sex Reassignment Surgery – Popularly known as a “sex change operation,” “sex reassignment surgery” is the medical term to describe these surgical procedures. While many trans* people do not surgically alter their physical anatomy, some seek to modify their body to be in concert with their gender identity. This surgery, which is not covered by most health insurance plans, is not as common as hormone therapy.
Transgender or Trans*: Transgender or trans* is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender/Trans* is often mistakenly understood to mean “transsexual.” The following identities may fall under the transgender umbrella:
androgynous, transgender, FTM, MTF, gender-fluid, gender non-conforming, genderqueer and gender-variant.
Transgender Pride Flag: There are several flags used and endorsed by the varying transgender individuals, organizations and communities throughout the world. The most prominent of these flag designs is known as the "Transgender Pride Flag" which is a symbol of transgender pride and diversity, and transgender rights. The Transgender Pride flag was created by American trans woman Monica Helms in 1999, and was first shown at a pride parade in Phoenix, Arizona, United States in 2000. The flag represents the transgender community and consists of five horizontal stripes: two light blue, two pink, and one white in the center. Helms describes the meaning of the transgender pride flag as follows: "The stripes at the top and bottom are light blue, the traditional color for baby boys. The stripes next to them are pink, the traditional color for baby girls. The stripe in the middle is white, for those who are intersex, transitioning or consider themselves having a neutral or undefined gender. The pattern is such that no matter which way you fly it, it is always correct, signifying us finding correctness in our lives.".
Transition: A term used to describe the process by which a transgender and/or gender non-conforming person begins to embody their gender identity, which often diverges from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transition can, but does not necessarily include, coming out, changing gender expression, beginning hormone therapy, using gender pronouns different from ones used before, having gender confirming surgery, etc. Transition does not have any required steps or any particular order; it is unique to the individual.
Transphobia: This term describes the irrational fear and hatred of people who are gender non-conforming. Transphobia is not only perpetrated by cisgender heterosexuals, but also can be found in the LGBT community. Homophobia within the transgender community is also not unheard of. This largely stems, on both ends of the spectrum, from resentment caused by the perception that one party is diminishing or tarnishing the reputation of the other. Therefore this is an issue that has as much to do with classism as it does with sexual orientation or gender identity.
Transsexual: A term used to describe a person who (1) identifies as a gender/sex other than the one they were given at birth and (2) who seeks or is seeking body modification (such as hormones, surgeries) in order to express their internal sense of gender. The term, while still in use, has largely been replaced by the word transgender, due to not being inclusive of the broader trans community and because of its relation to medical terminology.
Two-Spirit: An umbrella term applied to Indigenous North Americans who embody one of many traditional mixed gender roles found among Native American and Canadian First Nation cultures. Two-spirited persons do not fit neatly into Western transgender categories. It is a term of reverence, traditionally referring to people who display both masculine and feminine characteristics who are thought to have higher spiritual powers. As such they may play significant roles in society as healers or leaders
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