A Guide to Pride

Gay

Most commonly defined as men who are primarily attracted to other men. This includes non-binary people and those with a connection to manhood. The term ‘gay’ is also commonly used as an umbrella term for all identities in the LGBTQIA+.

Lesbian

Most commonly defined as women who are primarily attracted to other women. This includes non-binary people and those who have a connection to womanhood.

Bisexual

(Multisexual Spectrum)

A person who is attracted to two or more genders. Bisexuality falls under the multisexual spectrum, a range of sexualities that are attracted to more than one gender.

Polysexual

(Multisexual Spectrum) A person who is attracted to multiple genders but not all. Not to be confused with polyamory.

NICO FRANCOIS | HAWKEYE

Abrosexual

A person whose sexual and/or romantic identity changes over their lifetime. It is also often described as a fluid attraction. Their orientation may change throughout a time frame of days, weeks, or years.

Aromantic Spectrum

This spectrum is similar to the Asexual spectrum but instead deals with romantic attraction. Someone who is on the aromatic spectrum might range from not feeling romantic attraction to only experiencing it sometimes. Common identities include demiromantic, grey romantic, aroflux, and more. The term ‘Aro’ is used as an abbreviation for any or all identities in this spectrum.

Pansexual

(Multisexual Spectrum)

A person who experiences attraction regardless of gender. Gender plays a very minor role in attraction or none at all.

Omnisexual

(Multisexual Spectrum)

A person who is attracted to all genders. However, there is usually a gender preference or gender may play an important role in attraction.

Asexual Spectrum

A broad range of sexuality that describes the range of someone’s sexual attraction. A person might feel little to no sexual attraction or only in specific situations. Sexual attraction is not to be confused with sexual behavior but may be related to some people. Some common identities within this spectrum include demisexual, grey sexual, aceflux, and more. The term ‘Ace’ is used as an abbreviation for any or all identities in this spectrum.

By Caroline Shynshyn

HAWKEYE STAFF

Understanding sexualities and gender identities is important in dismantling the oppressive heteronormative culture in our society. It also helps destroy ignorance and build a safer community. Coverage of LGBTQIA+ people and issues allows us to destigmatize the conversation around the community.

This introductory, informational guide outlines a variety of sexualities and gender identities, but is not fully complete. H

Transgender

An umbrella term describing people who do not identify with their assigned gender at birth. Transgender is also an umbrella term used to group gender identities that do not align with the assigned sex or gender at birth.

Genderfluid

A person whose gender identity is flexible and changes over time. Change can be present in expression, identity, or a combination.

Non-binary

A person whose gender identity doesn’t fall in the binary genders of man or woman. Often described as neither man nor woman. Also an umbrella term used to group other gender identities that don’t fall into binary lines.

Genderqueer

A person whose gender identity falls between man and woman on the spectrum. In some cases, genderqueer is described as being both man and woman, however, this is not a universal definition.

Also, some people use genderqueer interchangeably with non-binary but that boils down to preference.

Agender

A person with little to no connection to gender at all. They do not identify as a particular gender. This is often seen as existing with no gender or no alignment of the concept.

Demi boy

A person who partially identifies with being a man, regardless of what they were assigned at birth. Similar to demi girl, they also identify with falling outside the binary lines.

Demi girl

A person who partially identifies with being a woman, regardless of what they were assigned at birth. They also partially identify with being outside the binary lines.