Transgender vs gay
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. Notice acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender utterance, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@glaad.org
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they apply to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for sapphic, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering aid for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accuratel
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, switching and often mean diverse things to different people. They are provided below as a starting aim for discussion and sympathy. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the first 2000s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help grant others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they represent when they use a term, especially when they use it to explain their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a legal title for themselves.
“If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde
This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. These terms are essential to acknowledge as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppress
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions
Sexual orientation
An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their gender identity.
Gender identity
One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or distinct from their sex assigned at birth.
Gender expression
External appearance of one's gender individuality, usually expressed through conduct, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically paired with being either masculine or feminine.
Transgender
An umbrella legal title for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, trans people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, double attraction, etc.
Gender transition
The process by which some people struggle to more closely
Nope!
It’s easy to get this confused, particularly because T is included in the LGBTQ+ acronym (T standing for “Transgender”). The key is to remember that transgender is referring to someone’s gender identity and not their sexuality orientation. Transgender people can be gay, straight, pansexual, gender non-conforming, asexual, or any other sexual orientation (just enjoy cisgender people!).
Recent FAQs
All FAQsWhat about advanced workshops? Safe Zone 201 perhaps?
Our Foundational Curriculum is a designed to create a Safe Zone 101 overview workshop. We recommend this workshop for all audiences – male lover, straight, queer, allied, and anywhere in between (or outside) those categories. While some of it may be old information for some, we believe that everyone, no matter their knowledge level, will acquire something out of the experience.
We do have exercises that can be used for more advanced/specific workshops. Just check out the explore activities tab and search under the “201” levels for more advanced activities!
I have an activity I think you should add to the site. Do you crave to see it?
Yes! One of our goals for this project is to turn it into the go-to resou
.