2SLGBTQIA+ Glossary
Note about this glossary: Many of the terms on The Pride Center’s glossary are defined and experienced differently by each individual. The Pride Center welcomes and encourages nuance in how people interpret, understand, and live these terms. For questions, please contact The Pride Center at [email protected].
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2SLGBTQIA+: An expansion of the commonly used LGBT acronym to stand for Two-Spirit (2S), Lesbian
(L), Gay (G), Bisexual (B), Transgender (T), Queer or Questioning (Q), Intersex (I),
Asexual (A), used to indicate the vast spectrum of sexual orientations, romantic orientations,
gender identities, and gender expressions a person may hold over their lifetime (+).
Two-Spirit is placed at the beginning of the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym to acknowledge that
Native people and Native identities came before any concept of the Western-defined
identities in the rest of the acronym. Moreover, it brings awareness to the racism
and violence Native people have faced and continue to face.
A
Agender: An individual who does not identify with any gender.
Ally: An individual who consistently educates themself about queerness while actively
supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, works to reduce queerphobia and transphobia in
themselves, families, and communities, and supports queer people in the political,
social, and cultural atmosphere.
Androgyne: Can either be used to describe a non-binary gender identity that is both masculine
and feminine, or a gender identity that is neither masculine nor feminine.
Androgynous: Can either be used to describe an individual who holds elements of both masculine
and feminine traits and/or expressions, or a person who expresses neither masculine
nor feminine gender traits.
Androsexuality: A term used for people attracted to masculinity traits or qualities.
Aromantic/Aro: A person who experiences little to no romantic attraction and/or desire for romance.
An aromantic person may or may not also be asexual.
Asexual (Ace)/Asexuality: People who identify as asexual, also referred to as "ace" or "aces," may experience
a lack of sexual attraction and/or have little to no interest in engaging in sexual
activity, even though they may desire emotionally intimate relationships. A spectrum
of identities; sexual attraction is separate from romantic attraction and an ace person
may choose to pursue romantic relationships and/or have sex for various reasons. Within
the ace community, there are numerous ways for individuals to express their identities.
Assigned female at birth (AFAB): An overarching term used to refer to sex assignment as “female” made by a doctor or medical provider at the birth of an infant usually based on external genitalia.
- Note: Intersex people may discover that their bodies do not develop in the way expected by their sex assignment. Many people who are trans and/or non-binary use this term to distinguish between sex assignment and gender identity.
Assigned male at birth (AMAB): An overarching term used to refer to sex assignment as “male” made by a doctor or medical provider at the birth of an infant usually based on external genitalia.
- Note: Intersex people may discover that their bodies do not develop in the way expected by their sex assignment. Many people who are trans and/or non-binary use this term to distinguish between sex assignment and gender identity.
B
Bierasure: The invalidating or erasure of bisexuality.
Bigender: An individual who identifies with two genders.
Binary: A system of only two parts. In critical theory, the term binary is used to describe
a system of categorizing people and objects in one of two ways. For example, a person
can be either male or female. Each option is perceived as opposite to the other while
one category is treated as superior to the other.
Binder: A garment used to flatten the chest.
Biological sex: The division of humans into two overly simplified biological categories of males
and females; each person is assigned one of the two categories at birth based on examination
of external genitalia. In the early twentieth century, the concept of gender was invented
to distinguish between sex assignment and a person’s expression of social and behavioral
traits.
Biphobia: Negative feelings, animosity, hatred, and/or dislike of and towards bisexual people
and the systemic harm targeted at the bisexual community.
Bisexual (Bi or Bi+): An individual who is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to more
than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, in the same way, or
to the same degree. Many people who use the term “bisexual” to identify themselves
are attracted to more than two genders. Bisexual people may not be attracted to only
two genders.
Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, Sadism and Masochism (BDSM): refers to a range of activities that involve consensual play with unequal power
dynamics (dominance and submission) and/or the giving and receiving of pain (sadism
and masochism). While not always explicitly sexual, the activities and relationships
involved in BDSM are typically imbued with an erotic element by those involved. Many
BDSM practices defy conventional societal norms when it comes to both sexuality and
human relationships.
Bottom surgery: A medical procedure performed on an individual's external genitalia and/or reproductive
system to affirm their gender identity.
C
Cisgender: Used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to
them at birth. For example, a person who is assigned female at birth (sex) who identifies
as a woman (gender). “Cis” is used as a shorthand to describe people who do not identify
as trans or non-binary.
Cishet: Used to describe people who are both cisgender and heterosexual.
Cisnormativity: The assumption that everyone is cisgender and the societal norms that emphasize
being cisgender as "correct" and the default.
Closeted: A term used to describe a person who does not publicly identify a non-normative
sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Coming out: The process of understanding one’s sexual orientation, romantic orientation, gender
identity, and/ or gender expression. Often used to refer to the process of telling
another person one’s non-normative gender, sexual, and/or romantic identity.
D
Dead name: The name of a person before the person started using their lived name. Often used
to refer to the name that appears on one’s birth certificate and/or other legal documents.
Also referred to as “legal name.” Institutions and social conventions may emphasize
the dead/legal name over a person’s lived name; however, insisting on using dead/legal
names against the wishes of a person can cause gender dysphoria and trauma. Dead names
should not be used unless specified by the individual.
Demiboy: An individual whose gender identity partially identifies as male.
Demigender: An individual who partially identifies with a gender.
Demigirl: An individual whose gender identity partially identifies as female.
Demiromantic: A person who only experiences romantic attraction when a strong emotional bond is
present with another person(s).
Demisexual: A person who only experiences sexual attraction when a strong emotional bond is
present with another person(s).
Drag: The act of expressing oneself as a different gender in a performance through utilizing
theatrical makeup and clothing. Drag has a long history as a form of entertainment,
especially in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Many drag performers take on distinct personas
and names/pronouns which are separate from their daily identities. Drag performers
may identify as cis or trans.
Drag daughter: A new drag queen that is being mentored by an established drag queen.
Drag king: A performance artist who performs in traditionally masculine attire.
Drag queen: A performance artist who performs in traditionally feminine attire.
Dyke: Originally a derogatory term for a lesbian or queer femme that was reclaimed by
some to describe themselves in the 1980s and 1990s. Dyke Day or Dyke March continues
to be part of annual Pride celebrations.
F
Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS): A gender-affirming medical procedure performed to reshape the face and alter facial
features to create a more feminine appearance.
Feminine: Having characteristics or an appearance that are traditionally associated with women.
Femme: Used to describe a person whose gender expression is feminine; a term used to refer
to a feminine lesbian.
FTM/F2M: An abbreviation of female to male; some individuals may use FTM synonymously with
transgender man.
FTX/F2X: A way to describe a genderqueer or gender-expansive person that was assigned female
at birth.
G
Gaff: A garment used to flatten the crotch area.
Gay: While used to specifically refer to men who are attracted to men, commonly used
to describe someone who is attracted to people of the same gender and an array of
other non-heterosexual relationships; including the physical, sexual, romantic, emotional,
and/or spiritual attraction people may feel for each other. This broad usage comes
from the social movement to gain rights for 2SLGBTQ+ people in the late 1960s and
early 1970s, then known as the Gay Liberation Movement.
Gender: A socially constructed classification system that relies on "normative" assumptions
of femininity and masculinity to define individuals. Gender expectations are linked
to sex assignment at birth; a person’s sex assignment is assumed to lead to center
social and behavioral traits that we call gender. A person’s gender expression and/or
identity may not match their sex assignment at birth.
Gender-affirming care: A range of actions an individual can take to feel at home within their body, which
includes changing one’s name, wearing different clothes, and a variety of medical
interventions.
Gender-affirming surgery (GAS): A range of medical procedures an individual can take to feel at home within their
body.
Gender binary: The institutional norm that there are only two genders, male and female, and that
everyone must be one or the other.
Gender dysphoria: Emotional distress experienced when an individual's sex and gender assigned at birth
does not match their gender identity which can affect overall health and lives. Also
may occur when other individuals perceive someone as the incorrect gender.
Gender euphoria: The feeling of extreme happiness or comfortability when one’s gendered experience(s)
aligns with their gender identity, rather than the gender they were assigned at birth.
Gender expansive: A term used to describe individuals who do not identify with traditional gender
roles and also not confined to one gender narrative or experience.
Gender expression: How an individual publically enacts, expresses, and presents their gender identity
through physical and behavioral manifestations. Some examples include changing tone
of voice, hair styles, body language, and apparel.
Genderfluid: An individual who may experience shifts or transitions in their gender expression
and/or identity. These shifts may occur depending on context, or they may happen over
time.
Gender identity: How a person understands and describes their gender. Common gender identities are
man, woman, trans, trans man, trans woman, and/or non-binary, but there are many other
terms a person might use to describe themselves.
Gendered language: Language or usage of language that assigns the gender binary to people, animals,
and/or objects. In English, many common terms are used that assume the gender of another
person or group of people without asking them first how they identify. For example,
referring to a group of strangers as “ladies,” assumes that everyone in the group
identifies as femme. In contrast, gender-inclusive language does not make assumptions
about others’ identities. “Ladies and gentleman,” for example can be replaced with
terms such as “folks” or “everyone.” Other languages, such as Spanish, gender people
and objects by adjusting verb and noun endings. There is a movement to make Spanish
more gender-inclusive through the use of the endings -e or -x.
Gender non-conforming: A broad term that describes someone whose gender expression does not align with
traditional gender norms. May be used instead of trans, when the gender identity of
the person is not known; for example, if the person is a historic figure.
Genderqueer: Describes individuals whose gender expression and/or gender identity do not match
the dominant expectations for women or men. A popular term in the late 1990s and early
2000s before the term “non-binary” became more popular. For some people, genderqueer
still describes them best.
Gender roles: The characteristics and behaviors that are considered acceptable for different genders.
Gender roles in society expect an individual to act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct
themselves based upon their sex and gender assigned at birth.
Gray (Gray-A or Gray-Ace/Aro): Falls under the asexual umbrella and describes a person who experiences sexual attraction
occasionally, rarely, under specific circumstances, moments, or periods.
Grayromantic (Gray-Aromantic): An umbrella term describing a person who experiences romantic attraction occasionally,
rarely, under specific circumstances, moments, or periods.
Gynosexual: A term used to describe people who experience attraction toward feminine traits
or qualities.
H
Heteroflexible: An individual who identifies as heterosexual, but occasionally experiences same-sex
attraction.
Heteronormative: Societal norms that emphasize being straight is "correct," the default, and/or assumed.
Heteromantic: An individual who experiences romantic attraction towards the “opposite” sex of
the socially constructed sex binary.
Heterosexual: An individual who is attracted to the “opposite” sex of the socially constructed
sex binary.
Homoflexible: An individual who primarily identifies as homosexual, but sometimes experiences
opposite sex attraction.
Homophobia: Negative feelings towards queer people or non-cisgender and non-straight people
and the systemic harm targeted at the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Homophobia can be internalized
by people who experience 2SLGBTQIA+ desire or attraction. Negative feelings can also
be horizontally directed at some groups under the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella even if a person
identifies with another group under the umbrella. For example, a person who identifies
as gay might express biphobia against bisexual people.
Hormone blockers: Medications that delay puberty in children who do not identify with their sex assigned
at birth and/or for children who experience early puberty; also called puberty blockers.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT): Increasing/decreasing the amount of testosterone or estrogen in an individual’s
body.
I
Intersex: An umbrella term used to describe someone whose sex assignment at birth does not
match expectations about internal organs, hormones, and chromosomes, or the development
of secondary sex characteristics. For example, a person with androgen insensitivity
has external genitals that assign them as female, but internal organs, hormones and
chromosomes that match what is considered to be male. Another example includes people
born with external genitalia considered too small to be a penis or too large to be
a clitoris, who for a long time were operated on as infants to remove the penis, and
their parents told to raise the child as a girl. Many intersex people are assigned
male or female at birth due to societal pressure to change intersex traits despite
intersex variations being normal and natural.
L
Lesbian: A sexual orientation broadly describing women who have romantic and/or sexual attraction
towards other women. Non-binary individuals may also identify with this term.
Lived name: An individual’s chosen name and the correct name to use for a person, regardless
of whether the name matches the name on a legal document.
M
Masculine: Having characteristics or an appearance that are traditionally associated with men.
Medical transition: The process of transitioning through hormone replacement therapy and/or surgical
procedures.
Misgender: The act of using the incorrect language or pronouns when referring to an individual.
Whether intentional or unintentional, misgendering can cause gender dysphoria and
be very upsetting and harmful to the person it occurs to.
Mispronoun: Referring to an individual with the incorrect pronouns.
Mixed pronouns: The use of more than one pronoun for the same individual. For example, using she/they
instead of she/her or they/them.
MLM: An acronym for men-loving men.
Monogamous: An individual who desires an intimate relationship with a single individual at a
time. The dominant relationship structure in the United States is that of serial monogamy.
Those who have relationships outside of this structure may experience discrimination
and/or face legal action.
MTF/M2F: An abbreviation of male to female; some individuals may use MTF synonymously with
transgender women.
MTX/M2X: A way to describe a genderqueer or gender-expansive person that was assigned male
at birth.
N
Nibling: A gender-inclusive term for a niece or nephew.
Non-binary: An identity taken on by some people who do not identify with the dominant understandings
of what it means to be a “man” or a “woman.” Non-binary identity is not mutually exclusive
with other gender identities; some identify as a non-binary man or non-binary woman.
Others identify as a non-binary trans person.
O
Omniromantic: Romantic attraction to all genders in which gender is part of the attraction.
Omnisexual: Attraction to all genders in which gender is still a factor for attraction.
Out: A term used to describe a person who is open about their sexual orientation and/or
gender identity. A term used to describe a person who publicly announces their gender
identity, sexual orientation, and/or romantic orientation. Can be used to describe
people who are private about their identities, such as, “She is not out.” Can be used
in a negative way to put pressure on people to “come out.”
Outing: When an individual discloses the sexuality, orientation, or gender of a different
individual without their consent.
P
Packing: The process of creating a bulge in one's crotch.
Panromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to people, regardless of their gender.
Pansexual: Eliminates gender altogether in reference to attraction and is broadly defined as
attraction to all; thus it is not limited by sex and/or gender.
Passing: In the context of sexuality, the act of presenting as straight; in the context of
gender, the act of presenting as cisgender. For some people it is almost impossible
to pass, especially many Black/Indigenous/People of Color (BIPOC) and low socioeconomic
status people who may not have the resources to modify their appearance. Therefore
the choice whether or not to pass can be a privilege and has at times been contentious
in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Polyamorous (Poly): An individual who engages with multiple, consenting, intimate relationships at a
single time. Poly is one identity among many under the umbrella of ethical non-monogamy.
Polycule: An umbrella term describing a group of people who are connected in an intimate relationship
with one another.
Polyromantic: An individual who is romantically attracted to multiple genders and may not necessarily
involve sexual attraction.
Polysexual: Attraction to multiple genders where gender is still a factor for attraction.
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): Medication which dramatically reduces the risk of HIV transmission. Used by those
who have sexual partners who have HIV or in communities where HIV prevalence is high.
Pronouns: Words used to refer to an individual other than their name.
Puberty blockers: Medications that delay puberty in children who don’t identify with their sex assigned
at birth, or in children who experience an early puberty; also called hormone blockers.
Q
Queer: An identity claimed by some individuals to describe the fluidity of identity within
sexuality and/or gender. Historically, queer meant “odd” or “strange.” In the early
twentieth century, some men who had romantic attractions to other men began to use
the term to refer to themselves. By the middle of the twentieth century, queer was
a derogatory word used mainly to refer to effeminate men or men presumed to be homosexual.
During the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s, some activists reclaimed this word as a positive
identification. Given its complicated history, there are some who feel uncomfortable
with the term queer, while others choose to use it for political reasons.
Queerplatonic: A committed intimate relationship that is deeper than friendship, but is not sexual
or romantic.
Questioning: Describes an individual who is questioning and exploring their identities within
the context of sexuality and gender.
QTPOC/QTBIPOC: An acronym that stands for queer and/or trans People of Color; queer and/or trans
Black/Indigenous/People of Color.
R
Romantic orientation: A term used to describe who an individual is romantically attracted to.
S
Sex assigned at birth: The assignment of a sex category at birth, usually male or female, that often comes
with a corresponding assigned gender of boy or girl.
Sex binary: The institutional norm that there are only two biological sexes, male and female,
and that everyone must be one or the other.
Sexual orientation: A term used to describe who an individual is emotionally, physically, and sexually
attracted to.
Social transition: The process of transitioning through an individual changing their name, pronouns,
the way they dress, etc.
Stand to pee (STP): A packing device that allows an individual to urinate while standing.
Straight (heterosexual): A sexual identity that describes a man who is only attracted to women, or a woman
who is only attracted to men. Because heterosexuality is the default or norm, it is
usually assumed that a person is heterosexual until they identify otherwise.
Straight-acting: A term for queer individuals who do not look or act stereotypically gay.
T
TGNC: Acronym for trans and gender non-conforming. An umbrella term for people who are
not cisgender.
Third gender: A debated term that holds various histories across cultures. Encompasses a broad
group of people who may or may not be associated with the term.
Throuple: A romantic relationship involving three people.
Top surgery: A medical procedure performed on an individual to add or remove their chest/ breasts.
Transfeminine: A term used to describe someone who was assigned male at birth and predominantly
expresses themselves in a way that they describe as feminine.
Transgender (Trans): An umbrella term describing someone who does not identify with their sex and gender
assigned at birth. The word transgender became widespread in the 1990s due to increased
awareness surrounding the social construction of sex and gender. However, the existence
of more than two genders parallels the existence of humans, showing up in several
cultures worldwide and across time, including Two-Spirit people within Native communities.
Transgender individuals may identify with multiple terms/identities. Transgender folks
may choose to transition socially and/or medically; however, not all trans folks transition
for a variety of reasons.
Transitioning: The process of aligning one's gender expression and body alignment with their gender
identity.
Transmasculine: A term used to describe someone who was assigned female at birth and predominantly
expresses themselves in a way that they describe as masculine.
Transphobia: Negative feelings towards transgender people and the systemic harm targeted at the
transgender community.
Tucking: The process of hiding a bulge in one’s crotch.
Two-Spirit (2S): Ecompasses many identities. A moniker, not a monolith, that connects the concepts
of gender and sexuality in Indigenous communities while resisting the division between
sexuality, gender, and spirituality as a result of colonization. Only Indigenous individuals
can claim and use this term.
U
Undocuqueer: An identity used by some individuals who are queer and undocumented to show the
intersectionality and inner workings of their identities.
V
Voguing: A type of improvisational dance inspired by the poses in Vogue magazine.
W
WLW: An acronym for women-loving woman or women-loving women.
