A Glossary for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

The following graphics are created by: Caroline Xie

Asexual ﬂag

Bisexual ﬂag

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A Glossary for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

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Pansexual ﬂag

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Transgender ﬂag

A Glossary for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

We discuss “gender identity” and “sexual orientation” all the time, so it’s important to know how to discuss them correctly and respectfully. Gender identity is defined as a personal conception of one’s own gender, which may or may not align with a person’s sex assigned at birth. People will often make it clear which pronouns they use, which is a way of affirming their gender identity. It is always better to ask for someone’s pronouns rather than automatically assuming them based on physical characteristics. Sexual orientation can be referred to as one’s pattern of romantic and/or sexual attraction. Within the categories of gender identity and sexual orientation, there are many terms and phrases commonly used today that help people describe how they identify. However, many people tend to avoid using these words as they are scared of using them incorrectly. This glossary will provide clarity to those who are ever confused about a specific word or definition. The following list includes frequently used vocabulary words regarding gender identity and sexual orientation. This list should not only help readers gain a better understanding of the society we live in today but also teach readers how to respect their peers no matter their gender and sexuality. By doing so, we would be taking a giant step toward empathy in our community. Instead of being ignorant, we show that we have taken the time to learn about people’s identities and what their experiences are like instead of putting the burden on others to educate us. (Please note that these definitions can be interpreted in different ways, and it is not one-size- fits-all. Also, these aren’t the only vocabulary words from the LGBTQ+ community, just the most commonly used terms.)

Asexual: does not experience sexual attraction to any gender, sometimes considered a sexual orientation and other times a lack thereof, can experience other forms of attraction (platonic, aesthetic, etc); not necessarily opposed to sex Aromantic: does not experience romantic attraction to any gender Biphobia: fear of, aversion to, and/or discrimination against bisexuality Bisexual: attraction to more than one sex or gender, though not necessarily equally or simultaneously Cisgender: when gender identity aligns with assigned gender at birth A Glossary for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Gay: sexual, romantic and/or emotional attractions between two people of the same sex (preferred over the word “homosexual” because “homosexual”, according to GLAAD, is historically known as being used by anti-gay extremists to suggest that gay people are somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered, which has been discredited) Gender Expression: the physical expression of one’s gender identity, often through changeable factors such as behavior, clothing, hair, voice, etc. Genderfluid: when gender identity shifts between masculine and feminine, relates to a person who does not identify themselves as having a fixed gender Genderflux: when the intensity of someone who identifies with a specific gender (not inherently male or female) changes Genderqueer: when someone does not identify with typical gender conventions, choosing to relate to neither, both, or a mix of the male and female genders Heterosexual: also known as straight, attracted only to the opposite gender Homophobia: fear of, aversion to, and/or discrimination against homosexuality and LGBTQ+ people Homosexual: describes a person attracted only or almost only to those of the same gender Intersex – a person born with a combination of male and female biological traits. There is a wide variety of differences among intersex variations, including differences in genitalia, chromosomes, gonads, internal sex organs, hormone production, hormone response, and/or secondary sex traits. Lesbian: a female-aligning person who feels physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to other women; some prefer to identify as gay. Note that some folks identify as a lesbian and use he or they pronouns (not to be confused with trans men/nonbinary people, as they are men/nonbinary). It’s a common experience for lesbian people to disconnect from their gender as a result of womanhood being often defined by attraction to men. It’s another form of gender nonconformity. LGBTQ+: initialism for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual; more inclusive than just LGBT Neopronouns: a set of new pronouns being increasingly used in place of traditional pronouns (ex. xe/xem/xir) Non-binary: an umbrella term used to describe people who do not identify exclusively as a man or a woman, can identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories, also sometimes called genderqueer or genderflux A Glossary for Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

Pansexual: (prefix “pan” refers to “all”) not limited in attraction with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity. Queer: an umbrella term that describes anyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum, can be used as a synonym for LGBTQ+. The term originated as a slur and is still sometimes treated as one, so it’s critical to be mindful of how and where it is used. However, many LGBTQ+ folks have begun to reclaim it. Questioning: people who are curious about their gender identity and/or sexuality; feel as if they do not fully belong in any one classification or are trying to find what group they fit into. It’s important to note, however, that many people choose not to identify with any label for their identity without questioning it. Transgender (Trans): those whose gender identity does not align with their assigned gender at birth; includes nonbinary people and those who are a part of the binary Transphobia: fear of, aversion to, and/or discrimination against transgender people Transsexual: outdated term historically used to describe and demean the transgender community. It describes a person who has had medical changes relating to their gender identity, which can imply that being transgender is a medical or clinical issue Created using information from HealthLinkBC and Human Rights Campaign with help from PHS’ Gender and Sexuality Alliance.