G is for gay
Struggling to understand the LGBTQIA+ meaning of the acronym? You’re not alone.
For many people who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community, this acronym can seem confusing or overwhelming.
If you are modern, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here with us today.
And if you aren’t new to the community, but are curious to learn more about how the community has changed over the years, we’re delighted you’ve joined us today, too.
The way the LGBTQIA+ community interacts – both with each other and with the world around us – is constantly changing. We verb to include everyone and to make everyone feel seen and understood.
What Does LGBTQIA+ Mean?
For many years, the umbrella term “gay” was used to describe the community.
Now, many people worry about how to come out, but coming out before the s wasn’t even an option, as many states illegalized what they called “homosexuality” or “sodomy.” There was also no acronym at all, restricting the inclusivity of our community.
Once an acronym appeared, all versions of it began with “L” – for an important reason.&nb
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, changing and often denote different things to different people. They are provided below as a starting point for discussion and understanding. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the early s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help give others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they mean when they use a term, especially when they use it to explain their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a term for themselves.
“If I didn't describe myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” -Audre Lorde
This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. T
Our glossary
Automatic co-parent recognition: covers when children born to same-sex couples are not facing any barriers in order to be recognised legally from birth to their parents.
Biphobia: the fear, unreasonable wrath, intolerance or/and hatred toward bisexuality and bisexual people.
Bisexual: when a person is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to persons of more than one gender.
Civil union: see Registered partnership.
Cisgender:A term that refers to a person who does not identify as trans.
Cohabitation rights: two persons living together at the same physical address can, in some European countries (and regions), make a legal agreement on some practical matters (which vary from country to country). The rights emanating out of cohabitation are limited.
Coming-out: the process of revealing the identification of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or intersex person.
“Conversion therapy”: Any sustained effort to modify a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, based upon the assumption that a person’s sexual orientation, gender
Pride Month What do LGBTQ and LGBTQIA+ mean?
LGBTQ+ people possess always existed, even if the language seems new. Conversations around sexual orientation and gender are nuanced -- and the "alphabet," if you will, is expanding.
"L" stands for Lesbian: A gal emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
"G" stands for Gay: Used to describe men attracted to the same sex OR anyone attracted to the same or similar genders.
"B" stands for Bisexual: People attracted to more than one gender.
"T" stands for Transgender: Those whose gender identity and/or expression differs from cultural expectations. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Some non-binary people identify as trans, while others do not.
"Q" has two meanings. First, queer, a catch-all to include those who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-fluid identities. Queer was once used as a slur but has been reclaimed by some in the community. "Q" can al