Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender expression identity because it feels taboo, or because theyre 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.
bisexual A person emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally attracted to both men and women, though not necessarily simultaneously; a bisexual person may not be equally attracted to both sexes, and the degree of attraction may vary as sexual identity develops over time.
coming out The process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts and appreciates his or her sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others.
gay A word describing a man or a woman who is emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally attracted to members of the same sex.
gender expression How a person behaves, appears or presents him- or herself with regard to societal expectations of gender.
gender identity The gender role that a person claims for his or her self which may or may not align with his or her physical gender.
genderqueer A word people use to describe their own nonstandard gender identity, or by those who do not conform to traditional gender norms.
GLBT An acronym for "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender."
homophobia The fear and hatred of or discomfort with people who love and are sexually attracted to members of the same sex.
internalized homophobia Self-identification of societal stereotypes by a GLBT person, causing them to dislike and resent their sexual orientation or gender identity.
lesbian A woman who is emotionally, romantically, sexually and relationally attracted to other women.
living openly A state in which GLBT people are open with others about being GLBT how and when they choose to be.
outing Exposing someones sexual orientation or gender identity as being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender to others, usually without their permission; in essence "outing" them from the closet.
queer A term that is inclusive of people who are not heterosexual. For many GLBT people, the word has a negative connotation; however, many younger GLBT people are comfortable using it.
same-gender loving A term some prefer to use instead of "gay" or "lesbian" to express attraction to and love of people of the same gender.
sexual orientation An enduring emotional, romantic, sexual and relational attraction to another person; may be a same-sex orientation, opposite-sex orientation or bisexual orientation.
sexual preference What a person likes or prefers to do sexually; a conscious recognition or choice not to be confused with sexual orientation.
straight supporter A person who supports and honors sexual diversity, acts accordingly to challenge homophobic remarks and behaviors and explores and understands these forms of bias within him- or herself.
transgender A term describing a broad range of people who experience and/or express their gender differently from what most people expect. It is an umbrella term that includes people who are transsexual, cross-dressers or otherwise gender non-conforming.
transphobia the fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people whose gender identity or gender expression do not conform to cultural gender norms.
transsexual A medical term describing people whose gender and sex do not line up, and who often seek medical treatment to bring their body and gender identity into alignment.