Glossary of LGBTQIA* Terms by Jesse DeRita
We at Options have created this glossary of LGBTQ+ terminology in order to help readers best describe their experiences both as individuals and as a community, and to better understand one another. We hope you find it helpful and encourage you to send us feedback for future versions; tear it out and hang it on your fridge as a year-round reference; and offer this resource to people who are challenging themselves to better understand the sexual and gender identities of all people. While this is not meant to be an exhaustive list, it’s a well-rounded introduction to the most-used terms within our diverse community.
GENERAL TERMS Advocate (n.) A person who publicly supports or defends a cause or policy; (v.) to publicly defend a cause or policy Ally A person who advocates for a group without being part of that group Closeted One who conceals their LGBTQ status from others (i.e., being “in the closet”) Coming Out, Coming out of the Closet Acknowledging one’s sexuality or gender identity to oneself or others Fluidity Describes an identity that fluctuates over time; fluidity is often attached to another term, such as genderfluid or fluid-sexuality
monitoring organization founded by LGBT people in the media, formerly the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Heterosexism A system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships (i.e.the presumption that other people are heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are “normal” and therefore superior) Homophobia Fear, anger, and discomfort with LGBTQ people, often directed outward at others, in cases like hate crimes, and sometimes focused inwardly as one’s own sexuality is being called into question (internalized homophobia) Human Rights Campaign (HRC) The largest national LGBTQ civil rights advocacy group and political lobbying organization
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) A non-profit legal rights organization, working to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression
Inclusivity The act or policy of including all kinds of people and being open to everyone-regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, and race--or any group who might otherwise be marginalized
A non-governmental, media-
Intersectionality A term coined by legal
GLAAD
Options | January 2016
scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to describe the study of overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination, and how those systems interact Invisible Minority A group whose minority status isn’t always visible, such as some disabled people and LGBTQ people. Examples include mentally ill people, transgender people who appear cisgender, and bisexuals in heterosexual relationships. Kinsey Scale Also called the HeterosexualHomosexual Rating Scale, the scale was created by Alfred Kinsey, Wardell Pomeroy, and others, to describe a person’s sexual orientation ranging from 0 to 6, from exclusively heterosexual to exclusively homosexual. There is also a marker of X to indicate asexuality. LGBTQ/LGBTQQIA+ Intentionally inclusive acronyms to describe those who are sexual and/or gender minorities (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual or Ally, and other associated sexual and gender identities other than heterosexual and ciscender)
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