Common Terminology

The following is a list of common Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer terms. While labels can be dangerous, it is important to know some common terminology. The following list is some of the common LGBTQ vocabulary, presented for the purpose of promoting understanding of the diversity within the community. The terms are presented in an order that progresses topically, representing many of the different groups and ideologies that surround the community.

Sexual Orientation

The desire for intimate emotional and sexual relationships with people of the same gender (lesbian, gay), the other gender (heterosexual), or either gender (bisexual).

Gender Roles

The socially constructed and culturally specific behavior and appearance expectations imposed on women (femininity) and men (masculinity).

Homosexual

Term used to describe a woman or a man who feels sexual desire and/or emotional attraction exclusively or predominately for others of their same gender.

Lesbian

Term used to describe a woman who feels sexual desire and/or emotional attraction exclusively or predominately for other women.

Gay

Term used to describe a man who feels sexual desire and/or emotional attraction exclusively or predominately for other men.  The term may also be used to encompass lesbians as well.

Bisexual

Term used to describe a man or woman who feels sexual desire and/or emotional attraction for individuals of either sex.

Straight

Another term for heterosexual.

Heterosexual

Term used to describe a man or woman who feels sexual desire and/or emotional attraction for individuals of the opposite sex.

Transgender Person

A person whose self-identification challenges traditional notions of gender and sexuality. Transgender people include transsexuals and others who do not confirm traditional understandings of labels like male or female or heterosexual and homosexual.

Transsexual

A person whose biological sex does not match their gender identity and who, through sex-reassignment surgery and hormone treatments, seeks to change their physical body to match their gender identity, transsexuals sexual orientation can be heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual.

Intersex (or Intersexual)

Persons born with the full or partial sex organs of male and female, or with underdeveloped or ambiguous sex organs. About 4% of all births are intersex to some degree. (This word replaces the politically incorrect hermaphrodite.)

Biological Sex

The physiological and anatomical characteristics of maleness or femaleness with which a person is born.

Gender Identity

Regardless of physical appearance or sexual orientation, gender identity one’s psychological sense of oneself as a male or a female.

Gender Bender

Anyone crossing the gender line that does not care about appearing “convincing,” Example: a man wearing a dress, which looks like a man wearing a dress, and doesn’t care if he looks like a man wearing a dress. Drag queens are the major group within this category.

Drag Queen/King

A man/woman (respectively) who dresses in clothes, typically flamboyant and glamorous styles, associated with female/male (respectively) movie stars or singers, all with theatrical intent and sometimes with the intention of poking fun at gender roles.

Cross Dresser

A person who enjoys dressing in clothes typically associated with the other gender also called a transvestite. Many cross-dressers are heterosexual married men.

Cross Living

Living full time in the preferred gender image, (other) than one’s assigned sex at birth, (sometimes) in preparation for a sex-change operation (sometimes not).

Androgynous

Being neither distinguishably masculine nor feminine, as in dress, appearance, or behavior.

Transphobia/Transphobic

The fear and hatred of cross-dressers, transsexuals, and gender benders and what they do (or are feared to do), and everything that results from this, from disrespect to the denial of rights and needs, to violence. Though some have defined this as an irrational fear and hatred, in actuality, from the time most of us are young, people and institutions (parents/guardians, peers, teachers, clergy, the media, etc.) have taught us to conform to societal notions of “proper gender behavior,” and to hold in contempt those who challenge or transgress these standards. This is indeed a form of oppression.

Former Transsexual

Some say that (1) once a transsexual has completed surgery, they are no longer transsexuals.  (Contrast this with definition 2 of transsexual, see below.) A compromise view might be that a former transsexual is (2) one who has completed surgery, and no longer wants anything to do with the transsexual community.

Non-surgical Transsexual

Transsexuals who seek reassignment through hormones and who cross-live, but stop just short of surgery.  Some (1) have concerns about major surgery, which is not always successful.  Others (2) have been unable to obtain the money necessary and have essentially given up on this final step (are “in limbo”).  Yet others (3) feel they are complete without surgery and are the same as definition 1 of transgender (see below).  Others still (4) cannot have surgery due to special health problems.

Queer

Originally a derogatory label used to refer to lesbian and gay people or to intimidate and offend heterosexuals. More recently, this term has been reclaimed by some lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and transgender people as an inclusive and positive way to identify all people targeted by heterosexism and homophobia.

Homophobia

The fear, hatred, or intolerance of lesbians and gay men, or any other behavior that is outside the boundaries of traditional gender roles.  Homophobia can be manifested as fear of association with lesbian or gay people or being perceived as lesbian or gay.  Homophobic behavior can range from telling jokes about lesbian and gay people to physical violence against people thought to be lesbian or gay.

Heterosexism

The societal/cultural, institutional, and individual beliefs and practices that assume that heterosexuality is the only natural, normal, acceptable sexual orientation.

Heterosexual Privilege

The benefits and advantages heterosexuals receive in a heterosexist culture.  Also, the benefits lesbians, gay men, and bisexual people receive as a result of claiming heterosexual identity or denying homosexual or bisexual identity.

Biphobia

The fear, hatred, or intolerance of bisexual women or men.

Sexism

The societal/cultural, institutional and individual beliefs and practices that privilege men, subordinate women, and denigrate women-identified values.

Ally

Heterosexual people who confront heterosexism, homophobia, and heterosexual privilege in themselves and others out of self-interest, a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and a belief that heterosexism is a societal justice issue.

Adams, M., Bell, L.A., & Griffin, P. (Eds.). 1997.  Teaching for diversity and social justice: A sourcebook.  New York: Routledge.