LGBTQ+ Definitions

What does LGBTQ+ stand for?

• Lesbian – usually refers to women who are attracted to other women. Some non-binary people also identify with this term
• Gay – can refer to any person who is attracted to people of the same sex
• Bisexual– someone who is attracted to both men and women
• Transgender refers to a person’s gender identity. A transgender person’s gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. Gender identity and sexual orientation are separate aspects of a person’s identity: A transgender person may be bisexual, gay, or straight (or may identify in some other way)
• Queer– An umbrella term used by people who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community
• + (Plus)– The ‘plus’ is used for all of the gender identities and sexual orientations that are not covered by the other five initials

Are there any other definitions I should know?

• Gender or gender identity means the way a person identifies internally (or on the inside). Gender identity may or may not be the same gender that is listed on the person’s birth certificate. The terms “male,” “female,” or “nonbinary” describe how a person identifies
• Gender expression refers to the way a person expresses gender through appearance, dress, grooming habits, mannerisms and other characteristics
• Sexual orientation means a person’s emotional or physical attraction to members of the same gender, a different gender, or any gender
• Gender Non-Conforming or Gender Variant: a broad term for a person whose gender expression is different from how their family, culture, or society expects them to behave, dress, and act
• Sex assigned at birth: the sex that a doctor uses to describe a child at birth based on their external anatomy, or body parts
• Gender transitioning: steps some people take to more closely align the gender they identify with as with how they look on the outside
• Gender dysphoria: extreme stress caused when a person’s sex assigned birth is not the same as the one with which they identify

For more definitions click HERE

What are pronouns?

Pronouns refer to people who are talking (you or I) or someone being talked about (like she, he, they) Gender pronouns (like he, she, them) refer to people you are talking about.

SCRAPPY TIP: For more information on gender pronouns, click HERE!