THE LGBT ABC

LGBT means lesbian, gay, bisexual and . There are many di erent Dyke: A derogatory Heterosexual: Someone who D term directed at is sexually attracted to someone terms people use for sexuality and lesbians. Some ?*!$ of the opposite to themselves. choose to identify gender and it can get a little confusing. this way or reclaim it. Homosexual: Someone who is sexually attracted to the same gender as themselves. Also, language changes all the time but Demisexual: Someone Homophobia: The discrimination and here we try to cover a few of the basics. who only feels sexual hatred of gay and lesbian people. Are there other ones you know? attraction to someone after H a strong emotional bond has been formed. : People whose Agender: Allies: Asexual or ace: G biology doesn't easily fit into I A Someone Someone Someone male or female. This can who doesn’t who supports who does not Gay: A widely accepted term include genitals, chromosomes have a the LGBT experience sexual for all same-sex attractions. or hormones. gender. community. attraction. Gender: The gender you feel B you belong to which may di er from the one you were assigned Lesbian: A female who at birth, based on your genitals. L is sexually attracted to Binary: The idea you’re or cis: the same gender. C : A medical term for one of two things, e.g. male When your gender feeling distressed about the fact your or female, gay or straight. matches the sex you were assigned at birth. gender and assigned sex are di erent. Bigender: Someone who Gender neutral: Someone who identifies with two MSM: Stands for ‘men Closet: When someone doesn’t identify with any gender. e.g. male and female. hasn’t revealed their gender who have sex with men’. or , Genderqueer: When none of the Biphobia: The i.e. ‘being in the closet’. categories on the gender spectrum discrimination and hatred fit you and you feel you’re of bisexual individuals. M Coming out: The act something else. CONTINUED Bisexual: Someone of an individual revealing Gender fluid: When your identity who is sexually attracted to others their gender moves around the gender spectrum. to two genders. or sexual orientation. OVERLEAF... THE LGBT ABC

Non-binary: Romantic attraction: Sex: Sex is often used to talk Sexuality: This Straight: See N Someone who doesn’t An emotional S about the di erence between refers to your sexual heterosexual. fit into the binary connection or male and female and is feelings and is often gender (male/female). attachment, separate commonly defined by used to mean who to sexual attraction. R reproductive organs. you’re attracted to.

Pansexual: A sexual or emotional T : Neither female or : An old U attraction, desire or romantic love towards male. Countries like India, Pakistan fashioned term for people regardless of . and Albania have long had three someone who goes gender categories. through, or wants to Unsure: Someone : Being perceived as the gender go through, gender who feels unsure of identity you identify with in public. Transgender or trans: realignment. their sexuality and or An umbrella term for people gender identity. Pre-op: A term used by trans individuals whose gender identity does not Transvestite: Someone who have not had surgery but intend to. line up with their assigned sex. who likes to dress as the Polygender: 'Poly' means 'more than opposite sex because it Transition: The process a trans feels good, not because one' and this describes people who have person goes through medically, they’re unhappy with Variable identities: multiple genders at once. socially or legally in order to live their gender. A person can find as the gender they belong in. Polysexual: Someone who is sexually themselves assuming Tucking: A method used attracted to many genders. various roles to suit : to tuck the penis back to the social situation. Pronoun: Pronouns are used instead of The discrimination and hatred of create the impression of names, like 'he', 'her' or 'them'. This can be trans and transsexual individuals. female genitalia. problematic for trans and non-binary people. V P Queer: An umbrella term for Questioning: sexual and gender minorities. Someone who Can have negative connotations may be questioning FIND OUT MORE... Visit us online at: brook.org.uk for some, while others have their gender or Q reclaimed it. sexuality. With thanks to Brook’s Work It Out group in Blackburn who helped update this resource.