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Glossary of Terms

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Glossary of Terms Polyamory- An umbrella term for forms of ethical, consensual, and loving non- monogamy (Not to be confused with polysexual). Polysexual- Being attracted to three or more genders, but not all. Pronouns- Words used to refer to someone in the third person; examples include they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, and he/him/his. Queer- An often-reclaimed word meaning someone who does not fall into society’s expectations of cisheterosexism. Questioning- Being unsure of one’s gender, romantic orientation, or sexual orientation. Romantic Orientation- Attraction or non-attraction to people in a loving and romantic way. Sex- A medical and social construction based on genitalia, chromosomes, hormones, and secondary sex characteristics. Sexual Orientation- Romantic, sexual, or emotional attraction or non-attraction to people. Glossary of Stealth- A term describing trans people who do not disclose the fact that they are trans in some or all their public or private lives. T- Used to refer to the hormone testosterone for trans masculine people. Transsexual- An outdated and sometimes offensive term for trans people. Transgender- A person whose gender is not the same as the sex they were Terms assigned at birth. Transition- The process of socially, medically, and/or legally “changing” one’s gender. Transmisogyny- The specific type of cissexism at the intersection of misogyny and transphobia. Transphobia- The system of discrimination and exclusion that focuses on upholding the gender binary and its standards, resulting in the oppression of nonbinary and trans people. This term is sometimes considered outdated because of the implications of the -phobia ending (See gender binary and cissexism). BY PFLAG WESLEY CHAPEL/PASCO Last updated 12/10/2018 Ableism- The system of discrimination and exclusion that oppress people who Gender Binary- The false concept that there are only two genders, man and have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. women, usually accompanied by the implication that gender is biologically Agender- A person who has no gender. determined. Ally- A person who is not LGBTQ+ but works to support LGBTQ+ people in a Gender Dysphoria- A feeling of disconnect between one's body and their variety of ways. gender, or between how others view them and their gender (See gender Androgynous- Used to describe something or someone as having elements of euphoria). both femininity and masculinity. Gender Euphoria- The feeling one gets when being properly gendered (See Aromantic- Experiencing no romantic attraction. gender dysphoria). Asexual- Experiencing no sexual attraction, a person who is asexual (ace) may Gender Expression- The ways in which someone communicates their gender to still wish to engage in romantic relationships. others through things like clothing or mannerisms. Assigned Sex- The sex a person is assigned at birth. Gender Fluid- A gender identity that changes between two or more genders. Bigender- Identifying as two genders simultaneously (Not to be confused with Gender Flux- A gender identity that changes in intensity. bisexual). Gender Identity- The gender one has or identifies with. Binding- The act of using a constrictive garment to flatten ones chest Gender Neutral- The quality of being not gendered. Biphobia- The specific discrimination and exclusion bisexual people face. Genderqueer- A gender identity that often has to do with not conforming or Bisexual- Being attracted to two or more genders (Not to be confused with subscribing to society’s gendered expectations or ideas (See cisheterosexism). bigender). Heteronormativity- The idea that being straight is the standard or norm, and Cisgender- Identifying with the sex you were assigned at birth, contrary to the automatic assumption that individuals are straight. some beliefs, this is not a negative term or a slur. Heterosexism- The system of discrimination and exclusion that oppress people Cisheterosexism- The system of discrimination at the intersection between who are not straight, or who do not fit society's ideas of straightness. This term cissexism and heterosexism (See cissexism and heterosexism). is used as an alternative to homophobia because of the implications of the - Cissexism- The system of discrimination and exclusion that focuses on phobia ending (See homophobia). upholding the gender binary and its standards, resulting in the oppression of Homophobia- The system of discrimination and exclusion that oppress people nonbinary and trans people. This term is used as an alternative to transphobia who are not straight, or who do not fit society's ideas of straightness. This term because of the implications of the -phobia ending (See gender binary and is sometimes considered outdated because of the implications of the -phobia transphobia). ending (See heterosexism). Closeted- Describes a person who is not open about their LGBTQ+ identity (See HRT- An abbreviation for Hormone Replacement Therapy, a process some trans out). people choose to go through to change the dominate hormone in their body. Deadname- The birth name or old name of a trans person who no longer uses Intersectionality- A term used to describe the way that multiple systems of or identifies with that name (See misgender). oppression interact for those with multiple marginalized identities. Demigender- An umbrella term for nonbinary people who have a partial Intersex- An umbrella term for people whose primary or secondary sex connection to a binary gender. characteristics do not naturally fit into society's ideas of male or female. Demiromantic- Experiencing romantic attraction only after a strong emotional Lesbian- A woman or nonbinary person who is attracted to women. bond has already formed. Lesbophobia- The specific type of heterosexism experienced at the intersection Demisexual- Experiencing sexual attraction only after a strong emotional bond of homophobia and sexism (See homophobia). has already formed. MTF- An outdated acronym standing for “Male to Female”; this term shouldn’t E- Used to refer to the hormone estrogen for trans feminine people. be used for someone without their express permission (See FTM). Exorsexism- The specific discrimination and exclusion nonbinary people face. Misgender- To use the wrong pronouns or name for a trans person (See FTM- An outdated acronym standing for “Female to Male”; this term shouldn’t deadname). be used for someone without their express permission (See MTF). Nonbinary- An umbrella term for people who do not identify as strictly a man Gay- Used to describe people who are emotionally, romantically, or sexually or woman. attracted to people of the same gender (See lesbian). Out- To be open with one’s identity as an LGBTQ+ person (See closeted). Gender- A social construct used to classify people as a man, woman, or other Outing- To be forced to reveal your identity as an LGBTQ+ person, or to be identity. This is different from what someone’s sex assigned at birth is (See revealed as an LGBTQ+ person to someone without permission. assigned sex). Pansexual- Being attracted to people regardless of gender or being attracted to Gender Affirming Surgery- Surgical procedures that can help people adjust people of all genders. their bodies to more closely match their gender. Not every trans person will Passing- To be perceived as a cisgender person of the gender they are. Passing desire or have resources for surgery. This term should be used in place of the is often a matter of safety, but does not necessarily have positive connotations, outdated terms sex change, sexual reassignment surgery (or SRS), and genital as it perpetuates cissexism. reconstruction surgery. .
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