LGBTQ+ Glossary
The power of language to shape our perceptions is immense. The vocabulary of gender and sexual orientation keeps evolving, so these are working definitions offered as a starting point for dialogue. (Full glossary maintained by PFLAG National ↗.)
Affirmed gender
The gender by which one wishes to be known.
Agender
A person who does not identify with any gender.
Ally
Someone who does not identify as LGBTQ+ but is supportive of LGBTQ+ individuals and the community.
Androgynous
A non-binary gender identity typically used to describe a person’s appearance or clothing.
Asexual
An individual who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexuality is a sexual orientation distinct from chosen celibacy.
Assigned gender
The gender assigned to an infant at birth based on visible physical sex characteristics.
Bisexual
A person emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to more than one gender.
Cisgender
A person whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth.
Closeted
A person who is not open about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Coming out
The lifelong process of self-acceptance and of sharing one’s LGBTQ+ identity with others. It is deeply personal; respect where each person is.
Gay
Describes people emotionally, romantically, or physically attracted to people of the same gender.
Gender
A set of social, psychological, and emotional traits that classify someone as male, female, both, or neither.
Gender-affirming surgery
Surgical procedures that help align a person’s body with their gender identity. Replaces the older term “sex change.”
Gender binary
The concept that there are only two genders and everyone must be one or the other.
Gender expansive
An umbrella term for those who expand notions of gender beyond expected norms. PFLAG National uses this term.
Gender expression
How a person communicates gender through clothing, appearance, or mannerisms; does not automatically imply gender identity.
Gender identity
One’s deeply held core sense of being male, female, both, or neither; does not always correspond to assigned sex.
Gender neutral
Not gendered — can refer to language, spaces, or identities.
Gender spectrum
The concept that gender exists on a continuum beyond a simple male/female binary.
Homophobia
An aversion to lesbian or gay people; ‘biphobia’ and ‘transphobia’ are the related terms. Collectively, anti-LGBTQ bias.
Intersex
Describes people born with bodies that do not fit typical definitions of male or female.
Lesbian
A woman emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to other women.
LGBTQ
An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, with Q for queer or questioning; sometimes I for intersex.
Misgender
To refer to someone using a word, especially a pronoun, that does not reflect the gender with which they identify.
Out
Describes people who openly self-identify as LGBTQ+ in their lives.
Pansexual
A person whose attraction is to people of all gender identities.
Pronouns
The pronouns a person uses; using someone’s correct pronouns is a basic sign of respect.
Queer
A reclaimed umbrella term used by some — particularly youth — for themselves or the community. Use only when self-identifying or quoting someone who does.
Questioning
Describes those exploring their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.
Same-gender loving
A term sometimes used in the African-American community for an alternative sexual orientation.
Sex
Anatomical, physiological, genetic, or physical attributes that classify a person as male, female, or intersex.
Sexual orientation
Emotional, romantic, or sexual feelings toward other people; it is the attraction that determines orientation.
Transgender
Often shortened to ‘trans.’ Describes a person whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex at birth; also a broad umbrella term.
Transition
The social, legal, or medical process one may go through to affirm one’s gender identity. Not everyone transitions, for many reasons.