Need help understanding LGBTQ+ terminology? Don't worry: you are not alone. LGBTQIAP+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, and pansexual.
Lesbian: A person who identifies as a woman, and who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with other women.
Gay: A sexual and affectional orientation toward people of the same gender. Frequently use to refer to a person who identifies as a man, and who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with other men.
Bisexual: A person who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with either men or women. Bisexual people are the largest LGBTQ+ identity group, with over half of all LGBTQ+ people identifying as bisexual. Some people may use bisexual and pansexual interchangeably.
Transgender: A person whose sex assigned at birth does not "match" or align with their gender identity (how they see their gender). This is an "umbrella" term used to explain many different types of people. Transgender refers to a gender identity. Transgender people may be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual.
Queer: An umbrella term used to describe people in the LGBTQ+ community. Some people identify as queer. People who are not members of the LGBTQ+ community should NOT use the term "queer." Historically, queer has been used as an epithet/slur against people whose gender, gender expression and/or sexuality do not conform to dominant expectations. In more recent years, there has been a concerted effort to reclaim the term queer; however, not all LGBTQIA+ people like the use of the term.
Questioning: A term used to describe someone who is in the figuring out if they are LGBTQ+. Questioning can be a process of exploration and also can be used to refer to an identity.
Intersex: Being intersex refers to a range of conditions that are naturally occurring whereas a person exhibits a variation of their sex characteristics at birth commonly making their gender at birth ambiguous.
Asexual: Asexuality and aromanticism both occupy the A in the acronym. They refer to a spectrum of sexual orientations characterized by varying degrees of sexual attraction. This may be different from celibacy as asexuals and aromantics may, or may not, choose to abstain from sexual activity. Generally speaking, asexuals experience a lack, or diminished, sexual attraction. Asexual people may experience romantic attraction, but they do not feel the urge to act on these feelings sexually. Aromantic people have little or no romantic attraction to others. They may or may not feel sexual attraction
Pansexual: The term used to describe people who have romantic or sexual desire for people of all genders and sexes. The term has some level of overlap with bisexuality and polysexuality.
These are not the only identities and sexual orientations within the larger LGBTQ+ community, which is why a "+" is added to the end of the acronym.
Here are a few resources to help you get more familiar with the terms that LGBTQ+ people use, and the other identities that are included under the LGBTQ+ umbrella:
GLSEN has a great two-page sheet of basic terms.
Curious about the various types of flags you see at pride events? Check out this comprehensive list of pride flags, published by Pride.com.
Lesbian: A person who identifies as a woman, and who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with other women.
Gay: A sexual and affectional orientation toward people of the same gender. Frequently use to refer to a person who identifies as a man, and who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with other men.
Bisexual: A person who is attracted and interested in having romantic or sexual relationships with either men or women. Bisexual people are the largest LGBTQ+ identity group, with over half of all LGBTQ+ people identifying as bisexual. Some people may use bisexual and pansexual interchangeably.
Transgender: A person whose sex assigned at birth does not "match" or align with their gender identity (how they see their gender). This is an "umbrella" term used to explain many different types of people. Transgender refers to a gender identity. Transgender people may be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual.
Queer: An umbrella term used to describe people in the LGBTQ+ community. Some people identify as queer. People who are not members of the LGBTQ+ community should NOT use the term "queer." Historically, queer has been used as an epithet/slur against people whose gender, gender expression and/or sexuality do not conform to dominant expectations. In more recent years, there has been a concerted effort to reclaim the term queer; however, not all LGBTQIA+ people like the use of the term.
Questioning: A term used to describe someone who is in the figuring out if they are LGBTQ+. Questioning can be a process of exploration and also can be used to refer to an identity.
Intersex: Being intersex refers to a range of conditions that are naturally occurring whereas a person exhibits a variation of their sex characteristics at birth commonly making their gender at birth ambiguous.
Asexual: Asexuality and aromanticism both occupy the A in the acronym. They refer to a spectrum of sexual orientations characterized by varying degrees of sexual attraction. This may be different from celibacy as asexuals and aromantics may, or may not, choose to abstain from sexual activity. Generally speaking, asexuals experience a lack, or diminished, sexual attraction. Asexual people may experience romantic attraction, but they do not feel the urge to act on these feelings sexually. Aromantic people have little or no romantic attraction to others. They may or may not feel sexual attraction
Pansexual: The term used to describe people who have romantic or sexual desire for people of all genders and sexes. The term has some level of overlap with bisexuality and polysexuality.
These are not the only identities and sexual orientations within the larger LGBTQ+ community, which is why a "+" is added to the end of the acronym.
Here are a few resources to help you get more familiar with the terms that LGBTQ+ people use, and the other identities that are included under the LGBTQ+ umbrella:
GLSEN has a great two-page sheet of basic terms.
Curious about the various types of flags you see at pride events? Check out this comprehensive list of pride flags, published by Pride.com.