Basic Building Blocks

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Biological Sex (also just called "Sex"): "either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as female or male especially on the basis of their reproductive organs and structures." (Source). 

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Primary Sex Characteristics: any of the body structures directly concerned in reproduction, as the testes, ovaries, and external genitalia (Source).

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Secondary Sex Characteristics: "a physical characteristic (such as the breasts of a female mammal or the breeding plumage of a male bird) that appears in members of one sex at puberty or in seasonal breeders at the breeding season and is not directly concerned with reproduction." (Source)

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Binary: "a division into two groups or classes that are considered diametrically opposite." (Source).

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Gender: "the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex." (Source)

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Sexuality: "the quality or state of being sexual." (Source).

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Sexual orientation/Sexual identity: "one's natural preference in sexual partners; predilection for homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality". (Source)

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Gender orientation/Gender identity: "a person's internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male nor female." (Source)

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Gender expression: "the external expression of gender roles, as through socially defined behaviors and ways of dressing." (Source)

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Gender role: "the role or behaviour learned by a person as appropriate to their gender, determined by the prevailing cultural norms." (Source)

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So, how do we put all of this together?

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Biological sex is composed of a set of physical primary and secondary sex characteristics that tend to (as a group) be labeled "male" or "female". These categories of sex are usually viewed as being binary, but that need not necessarily be the case (for instance, an intersex person may be born with anatomy that doesn't fit the "typical" categories of male or female. The terms "male" and "female" are therefore labels of convenience to distinguish general types and not a strict rule to follow. Gender is often confused with biological sex, because the words commonly used to describe the two often match each other, with male = man, and female = woman. However, gender is not the same as biological sex, because it refers to the way people behave, think, and generally interact with the world. Like biological sex, gender is often mistakenly viewed as being binary (masculine/feminine, man/woman), but it would be more accurate to view it as a spectrum. Speaking of which, a gender identity is the person's sense of self within or outside that spectrum. Their gender expression is composed of their outside appearance (shaving their legs, facial hair, makeup, etc.) A gender role is a set of societal expectations surrounding a certain gender, usually referring to cultural norms for men and women. For instance, a woman's gender role would be warm, nurturing, associated with the home, wearing dresses, etc. 

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A person's sexuality refers to their actions/thoughts regarding sex, or intercourse. Sexual orientation/identity is distinct from gender orientation/identity, and it refers generally to a natural preference in sexual partners. Many sexual identities are specific to the gender of preferred partners (gay, bisexual, etc.) but other sexual identities may focus on some other aspect, like the level of emotional connection with a person, or a complete lack of sexual attraction. 

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Note: A person may have any combination of gender identity and sexual identity. 

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The non-LGBTQ+ identities

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Cisgender: "of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth". (Source)

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Heterosexual/Straight: : "of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward the opposite sex" (or gender) (Source)

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Cishet: "noting or relating to a person who is cisgender and heterosexual." (Source)

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Ally: "often now used specifically of a person who is not a member of a marginalized or mistreated group but who expresses or gives support to that group." (Source)

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Note: A person can be cisgender and still be part of the LGBTQ+ community if their sexuality is non-heterosexual. A person can be heterosexual and still be part of the LGBTQ+ community if their gender identity is non-cisgender. Allies are sometimes considered as part of the community. Their definition is placed here to indicate that though they are accepted in the community, they don't necessarily have an LGBTQ+ sexual identity or gender identity. 

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The Acronym(s)

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LGBTQ+: This is the acronym that will be used the most on this website. It stands for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer/Questioning". The "+" denotes all other sexualities/genders/sexes that are included in the community. There are a multitude of terms available for all kinds of identities, and more are being discovered all the time. Longer acronyms are more openly inclusive, but for the sake of brevity and familiarity I shall be using the common "LGBTQ" acronym with the "+" sign. A more extensive list of gender/sexual identities is included below this entry, but even that is not fully exhaustive. For more information about specific identities, feel free to consult some of the websites listed in the "Resources" page. 

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Gender Identities and Terms in the LGBTQ+ Community

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Transgender/Trans: "of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity differs from the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth." (Source). Often used as an "umbrella term" which includes all of the gender identities which are not cisgender. 

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Trans woman: : "a transgender woman : a woman who was identified as male at birth." (Source)

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Trans man: "a transgender man : a man who was identified as female at birth." (Source)

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MTF/M2F: "a transgender woman" (Source) ( An acronym for "male to female").

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FTM/F2M: "a transgender man" (Source) (An acronym for "female to male").

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Transmasculine: "noting or relating to a person who was born female but whose gender identity is more male than female." (Source)

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Transfeminine: "noting or relating to a person who was born male but whose gender identity is more female than male." (Source)

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Gender-Expansive: "An umbrella term used for individuals that broaden their own culture’s commonly held definitions of gender, including expectations for its expression, identities, roles, and/or other perceived gender norms. Gender-expansive individuals include those with transgender and non-binary identities, as well as those whose gender in some way is seen to be stretching society’s notions of gender." (Source)

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Nonbinary: "noting or relating to a person with a gender identity or sexual orientation that does not fit into the male/female or heterosexual/homosexual divisions." (Source)

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Intersex: "describing a person with a less common combination of hormones, chromosomes, and anatomy that are used to assign sex at birth." (Source)

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Androgynous: "having the characteristics or nature of both male and female." (Source)

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Genderqueer: "relating to or having a gender identity that is other than male or female, is a combination of the two genders, or is on a continuum between the two genders." (Source)

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Gender Nonconforming: "exhibiting behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits that do not correspond with the traits typically associated with one's sex : having a gender expression that does not conform to gender norms." (Source)

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Agender: "of, relating to, or being a person who has an internal sense of being neither male nor female nor some combination of male and female : of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is genderless or neutral." (Source)

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Bigender: "of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is a combination of male and female or is sometimes male and sometimes female." (Source)

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Gender-fluid: "noting or relating to a person whose gender identity or gender expression is not fixed and shifts over time or depending on the situation." (Source)

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Pangender: "noting or relating to a person whose gender identity is not limited to one gender and who may feel like a member of all genders at the same time." (Source)

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Two-spirit: "(in some American Indian tribes) a person, especially a biological male, who adopts the gender identity, dress, and social roles traditionally assigned to the opposite sex." (Source)

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Pronouns: "Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people.  (i.e. they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his)." (Source)

 

Drag King: "a woman who dresses as a man and performs as an entertainer caricaturing stereotypically masculine men." (Source)

 

Drag Queen: "a man who dresses as a woman and impersonates female characteristics for public entertainment." (Source)

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Note: If you want to know what someone's identity is, or which pronouns to use, ask them. The labels that they choose to use are what they feel best describes their inner self. Some of these terms seem like they could be used interchangeably, but there are slight differences between all of them, so be sure to read their definitions carefully if you are confused about which is which. Additionally, drag kings/queens may have an identity under the trans umbrella while also pursuing the practice of being a drag king/queen, but many drag kings/queens are cisgender. Drag is an art, not necessarily an identity. 

 

Sexual Identities in the LGBTQ+ community

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Gay: "of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex" (or gender) (Source) Can be used to describe both men and women, but usually used in the context of men who are physically attracted to men. 

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Lesbian: "a woman who is physically attracted to other women". (Source)

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Bisexual: "sexually attracted not exclusively to people of one particular gender; attracted to both men and women." (Source). Although this definition says "men and women", bisexual people can be attracted to more genders, but not necessarily all genders.

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Polysexual: "attracted to multiple genders." (Source) Much like bisexuality, it need not be limited to the gender binary and doesn't necessarily imply liking all genders.

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Pansexual: "not limited in sexual choice with regard to biological sex, gender, or gender identity." (Source)

 

Asexual: "someone who is not sexually attracted to anyone." (Source)

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Demisexual: "a sexual orientation characterized by only experiencing sexual attraction after making a strong emotional connection with a specific person." (Source)

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Grey-asexual: "refers to sexual identities along a spectrum of asexuality and sexuality. Those who identify as grey-a experience sexual attraction or desire sex only rarely or under certain conditions." (Source)

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Queer: "denoting or relating to a sexual or gender identity that does not correspond to established ideas of sexuality and gender, especially heterosexual norms." (Source)

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Pomosexual: "of or relating to a person who does not wish his or her sexuality to be put into a conventional category." (Source)

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Questioning: "an individual who is unsure of and/or exploring their gender identity and/or sexual orientation." (Source)

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Note: If you are unfamiliar with these terms, it may seem difficult to distinguish some of them. Again, I would recommend reading the definitions very carefully. Similarly to gender identity, people in the LGBTQ+ community choose labels which they feel best suit their inner selves. The fine distinctions between certain labels can be debated, but ultimately there is a lot of overlap (especially regarding bisexuality, polysexuality, and pansexuality), so labels may shift and change over time. This does not mean they are any less valid.

 

General Terms

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Closeted/In the Closet: "refers to a homosexual, bisexual, transperson or intersex person who will not or cannot disclose their sex, sexuality, sexual orientation or gender identity to their friends, family, co-workers, or society." (Source)  This definition can apply to any LGBTQ+ identity, not merely the ones listed here.

 

Coming Out:  "Often called “disclosure” when telling others. May refer to the process by which one accepts one’s own sexuality, gender identity, or status as an intersexed person (to “come out” to oneself). May also refer to the process by which one shares one’s sexuality, gender identity, or intersexed status with others (to “come out” to friends, etc.). This can be a continual, life-long process for homosexual, bisexual, transgendered, and intersexed individuals. In a trans context, coming out may refer to the process by which one accepts one’s own gender identity, and/or may also refer to the process by which one shares one’s gender identity status with others. Keep in mind that coming out can happen in pre-, post- and non-transition stages and identities." (Source)

 

Outing/Outed: "involuntary disclosure of one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, or intersex status." (Source)

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Gender Dysphoria: "anxiety and/or discomfort regarding one’s sex assigned at birth." (Source)

 

Transition/transitioning:  "A person’s process of developing and assuming a gender expression to match their gender identity. Transition can include: coming out to one’s family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and possibly (though not always) some form of surgery. It’s best not to assume how one transitions as it is different for everyone." (Source)

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Passing/Blending/Assimilating: "Being perceived by others as a particular identity/gender or cisgender regardless how the individual in question identifies, e.g. passing as straight, passing as a cis woman, passing as a youth. This term has become controversial as “passing” can imply that one is not genuinely what they are passing as." (Source)

 

Transphobia: "irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people." (Source)

 

Homophobia: "irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality or homosexuals." (Source)

 

Biphobia: "dislike of or prejudice against bisexual people." (Source)

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Prejudice: "an unfair and unreasonable opinion or feeling formed without enough thought or knowledge." (Source)

 

Discrimination: "the treatment of a person or particular group of people differently, in a way that is worse than the way people are usually treated." (Source) 

 

Social Oppression: "Social oppression is a concept that describes the relationship between two categories of people in which one benefits from the systematic abuse and exploitation of the other. Because social oppression is something that occurs between categories of people, it should not be confused with the oppressive behavior of individuals. In cases of social oppression, all members of the dominant and subordinate groups are involved, regardless of individual attitudes or behavior." (Source)

 

Privilege: "a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group." (Source)

 

Sexual Prejudice: "Refers to negative attitudes toward an individual because of his or her sexual orientation" (pg.1) (Source)

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Anti-transgender Prejudice: "an abbreviation denoting prejudice against transgender individuals and to acknowledge the prejudicial
attitudes (rather than fear or phobia) that comprise this construct" (Tebbe & Moradi, 2012, pg. 251). (See the References List in "Resources")

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Heterosexism: "Prejudice against individuals and groups who display nonheterosexual behaviors or identities, combined with the majority power to impose such prejudice. Usually used to the advantage of the group in power. Any attitude, action, or practice – backed by institutional power – that subordinates people because of their sexual orientation." (Source)

 

Cissexism: "Systemic prejudice in the favor of cisgender people." (Source) Similar to the above definition of "heterosexism", it's backed by institutional power. 

 

Transmisogyny: "Originally coined by the author Julia Serano, this term designates the intersections of transphobia and misogyny and how they are often experienced as a form of oppression by trans women." (Source)

 

Heteronormative/Heteronormativity: "These terms refer to the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm, which plays out in interpersonal interactions and society and furthers the marginalization of queer people." (Source)

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Cisnormativity: "the assumption that all, or almost all, individuals are cisgender." (Source)

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Note: The terms "prejudice", "discrimination", and "oppression" are often used interchangeably, and this is a problem since they do not mean the same thing- and acting on the assumption that they mean the same thing can lead to even larger problems. To clarify, prejudice is a feeling or attitude and discrimination is a action or behavior that may result from that attitude. Both of these things can be held or done by individual people. However, oppression is a large system encompassing institutions like the government, the educational system, the criminal justice system, the economy, the media, and other aspects of culture. Oppression is fueled by individual discrimination and prejudice, but it cannot solely be one individual person's actions or feelings. It must be backed up by a larger power. Everyone is involved in a situation of oppression: one side benefits, the other side is taken advantage of or mistreated. If you are a member of the side that benefits, you have privilege regardless of your personal feelings about the other side, or your own status in life. The system of oppression will benefit you in some way, and it is often hiding in plain sight. For instance, you may be more likely to get a certain kind of job (like teaching for example) if you are straight, rather than queer. Even if you do not gain the job, the advantage was still there. 

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Additionally, in the other pages, I will be using the terms "sexual prejudice" and "anti-transgender prejudice" rather than "homophobia", "biphobia", or "transphobia", because all the terms that end in -phobia imply a deep fear. However, there is nothing to be afraid of, and rather than fear prejudicial attitudes tend to have other emotions associated with them, such as anger, hatred, disgust, or general dislike. 

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