A lot of everyday language is based on the idea of two genders and one sexuality and so it can erase the identities of others. The use of gender inclusive language respects and acknowledges all gender identities and removes assumptions that everyone identifies as either male or female (this is a binary structure), while the use of sexuality inclusive language avoids assuming that being straight is the default (heteronormative) and that it embraces all sexual orientations.
The acronym LGBTQIA+ is used to describe not just the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. Here's what the different letters refer to:
LGB refer to sexual orientation.
T refers to gender identity.
Q stands for Questioning or Queer.
I for Intersex.
A for Asexual.
+ is used to include those who may not identify as being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or transgender for example pansexual, non-binary or gender fluid.
Gender identity is your own, internal, personal sense of being a man or a woman or non-binary, as someone who does not identify as solely male or female. Transgender or Trans is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth.
Sexual orientation describes a person's enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person, for example: straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual. Transgender people may be straight, lesbian, gay, or bisexual. For example, a person who transitions from male to female and is attracted solely to men would be typically identify as a straight woman.
Quick Guide
(1).png)
Glossary of Terms – LGBT+
The LGBT+ community is vast and diverse. Many people refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender expression identity because it feels taboo, or because they are afraid of saying the wrong thing. This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable.
Asexual - The lack of a sexual attraction or desire for other people.
Biphobia - Prejudice, fear or hatred directed toward bisexual people.
Bisexual - A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one sex, gender or gender identity though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.
Cisgender - A term used to describe a person whose gender identity typically aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth. For example, someone who identifies as a woman and was assigned female at birth is a cisgender woman. The term cisgender is the opposite of the word transgender.
Closeted - Describes a LGBTQIA+ person who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Coming out - The process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts and appreciates their sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others.
Gay - A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender.
Gender-fluid - A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender; of or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or unfixed gender identity.
Genderqueer - Genderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as ‘genderqueer’ may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories.
Homophobia - The fear/hatred of, or discomfort with, people who are attracted to members of the same sex.
Intersex - An umbrella term describing people born with reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or a chromosome pattern that can't be classified as typically male or female. Those variations are also sometimes referred to as Differences of Sex Development (DSD.) Avoid the outdated and derogatory term ‘hermaphrodite.’
LGBT / LGBT+ / LGBTQ+ / LGBTQIA+ - Acronyms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual or allied.
Nibling - A gender-neutral term to refer to the child or children of your siblings.
Non-binary - An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as trans, not all non-binary people do.
Outing - Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.
Pansexual - Describes someone who has the potential for emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to people of any gender though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree.
Queer - A term people often use to express fluid identities and orientations and an umbrella term used as an inclusion of all identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Note that this term is perceived as offensive by some so should be used carefully.
Questioning - A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Transsexual - A person who physically transitions from male to female or vice versa. This term has become increasing unpopular (although some still use to identify themselves) and is generally used for medical diagnosis.
Transgender - A person who identifies differently from the sex assigned at birth. For example, a transgender person who was assigned female at birth may feel that a male identity is a better fit and use male pronouns instead of female pronouns or/and dress as a man. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
Transphobia - The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, transgender people
For more information, click here for the Sex and Gender page.
Thanks to the Inclusion Working Group at Bury Council for the article.
Click here to find details of groups and meetings you can get involved in.
