Need help understanding LGBTQ+ terminology? Don't worry: you are not alone. LGBTQ+ is an acronym that stands for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning."
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 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.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities are sexual orientations.
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."
Questioning: A term used to describe someone who is in the process of figuring out if they are LGBTQ+.
These are not the only identities 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.
The UCLA LGBTQ Resource Center has a very thorough online dictionary of terms.
GLAAD has also compiled a great list of terminology to avoid, either due to it being outdated, inaccurate, or offensive.
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 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.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual identities are sexual orientations.
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."
Questioning: A term used to describe someone who is in the process of figuring out if they are LGBTQ+.
These are not the only identities 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.
The UCLA LGBTQ Resource Center has a very thorough online dictionary of terms.
GLAAD has also compiled a great list of terminology to avoid, either due to it being outdated, inaccurate, or offensive.
Curious about the various types of flags you see at pride events? Check out this comprehensive list of pride flags, published by Pride.com.
