A comprehensive glossary of terms related to LGBTQIA+ topics, followed by their definitions. If you are unfamiliar with such topics, this page may be useful for you to refer to while browsing the rest of this website.
An acronym that stands for "assigned female at birth", used to describe someone who was assigned female sex at birth, typically based on their external anatomy.
A word used to describe someone who does not identify with any gender, or feels that they have no gender.
An individual who supports and advocates for transgender and other LGBTQIA+ people, despite not identifying with them.
An acronym that stands for "assigned male at birth", used to describe someone who was assigned male sex at birth, typically based on their external anatomy.
Denotes a person who experiences little to no romantic attraction.
Denotes a person who experiences little to no sexual attraction.
A term used to describe someone who identifies with two genders, either simultaneously or alternating between them.
The practice of flattening one's chest using compression garments (binders) or other methods, often used by transmasculine individuals.
Denotes someone who is attracted to two or more genders. Often used interchangeably with pansexual, though some make personal distinctions.
Gender-affirming surgical procedures that alter the genitals to align with one's gender identity.
A term used to describe someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
Prejudice or discrimination against transgender people, often based on the belief that cisgender identities are more valid or natural.
The process of disclosing one's sexual orientation or gender identity to others.
Someone who wears clothing typically associated with a different gender, which may or may not relate to their gender identity. Not synonymous with being transgender.
The birth name of a transgender person who has chosen a new name that aligns with their gender identity. Using someone's deadname without permission is considered disrespectful.
A non-binary gender identity where someone partially, but not fully, identifies as a boy or man.
A non-binary gender identity where someone partially, but not fully, identifies as a girl or woman.
Performance art involving dressing in exaggerated gendered clothing and makeup. Drag performers may be drag queens, drag kings, or other types of drag artists. This is a form of entertainment and not necessarily related to gender identity.
Distress or discomfort that occurs when a person's gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth or their physical characteristics.
A phonetic pronunciation of "NB," which stands for non-binary. Used as a casual term for non-binary individuals.
A hormone often taken as part of feminizing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by transfeminine individuals.
Abbreviation for "female-to-male," referring to someone assigned female at birth who identifies as male. Many prefer the term transmasculine or transgender man.
A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Often used specifically for men attracted to men, but can be used more broadly.
A social construct encompassing the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a society considers appropriate for individuals based on their sex. Distinct from biological sex.
Medical care that supports a person's gender identity, which may include hormone therapy, surgeries, mental health services, and social support.
The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite categories: male and female. Many cultures recognize additional genders beyond this binary.
How a person publicly presents their gender through appearance, behavior, clothing, hairstyle, voice, or body characteristics.
A gender identity that varies over time. A genderfluid person may feel more masculine, feminine, or non-binary at different times.
A person's internal, deeply felt sense of being male, female, both, neither, or another gender entirely.
An umbrella term for gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine, existing outside of or beyond the gender binary.
Social expectations about how people should behave, speak, dress, and conduct themselves based on their assigned gender.
The assumption that heterosexuality and cisgender identities are the default or normal states of being.
A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of a different gender. Also known as "straight."
Prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed toward people who are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
A clinical term for someone attracted to people of the same gender. Many prefer terms like gay or lesbian. Can be considered outdated or offensive in some contexts.
Medical treatment involving the use of hormones (such as estrogen or testosterone) to align one's physical characteristics with their gender identity.
A term for people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones that don't fit typical definitions of male or female. Intersex is distinct from transgender.
A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
An acronym standing for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender, and others. Represents the broader community of sexual and gender minorities.
To refer to someone using language or pronouns that do not correctly reflect their gender identity, either intentionally or accidentally.
Abbreviation for "male-to-female," referring to someone assigned male at birth who identifies as female. Many prefer the term transfeminine or transgender woman.
Pronouns created or adopted to refer to people beyond the traditional he/she binary, such as xe/xem, ze/zir, or fae/faer.
An umbrella term for gender identities that are not exclusively male or female. Non-binary people may identify as having a gender that is both, neither, or somewhere in between.
The state of being open about one's sexual orientation or gender identity. Someone who is "out" has disclosed this information to others.
The act of disclosing someone's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent. This is considered a serious violation of privacy and can be harmful.
The practice of wearing padding or a prosthetic in one's underwear to create the appearance of a bulge, often used by transmasculine individuals.
A non-binary gender identity referring to someone who identifies with multiple or all genders.
A person who is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex.
When a transgender person is perceived by others as their identified gender. While some value passing for safety or validation, the concept can be controversial as it may reinforce gender stereotypes.
Words used to refer to someone in place of their name (e.g., he/him, she/her, they/them). Respecting someone's pronouns is a basic form of respect for their gender identity.
Medications that temporarily pause the physical changes of puberty, giving young people more time to explore their gender identity before irreversible changes occur.
An umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Once used as a slur, it has been reclaimed by many in the LGBTQIA+ community, though some still find it offensive.
The process of exploring one's own sexual orientation or gender identity.
A label assigned at birth based on biological characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive anatomy. Distinct from gender identity.
The classification of a baby as male, female, or intersex based on physical characteristics observed at birth.
A person's emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to others. Distinct from gender identity.
When a transgender person lives fully as their identified gender without disclosing their transgender status to others.
A hormone often taken as part of masculinizing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) by transmasculine individuals.
Gender-affirming chest surgery, which may involve breast augmentation for transfeminine individuals or chest masculinization for transmasculine individuals.
Short for transgender. An umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
An umbrella term for people assigned male at birth whose gender identity is more feminine than masculine. May include trans women and some non-binary people.
A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. This is an umbrella term encompassing many specific identities.
The process by which a transgender person begins to live as their identified gender. May include social, legal, and/or medical changes, but varies greatly between individuals.
An umbrella term for people assigned female at birth whose gender identity is more masculine than feminine. May include trans men and some non-binary people.
Prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed toward transgender people.
An older medical term for transgender people, particularly those who have medically transitioned or desire to do so. Many consider this term outdated or offensive; "transgender" is preferred.
An outdated and often offensive term previously used to describe cross-dressers. Not recommended for use.
The practice of positioning one's genitals to create a flatter appearance, often used by transfeminine individuals.
A modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe people who fulfill a traditional third-gender ceremonial and social role. This term is specific to Indigenous cultures and should not be appropriated by non-Indigenous people.