The Basics
Birth Sex/Biological Sex
A specific set of genetic,
chemical and anatomical characteristics that we are either born with or that
develop as we mature. Types of birth/biological sex include female, male and
intersex.
Gender Identity
One's internal, personal
sense of his or her own gender. Many people believe in a more fluid gender
identity than simply “male” and “female.”
Gender Expression
The external manifestation
of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing,
haircut, voice or body characteristics.
Sexual Orientation
The nature of an
individual's physical, romantic, emotional and/or spiritual attraction to
another person. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Trans
and gender-variant people may identify with any sexual orientation, and their
sexual orientation may or may not change before, during or after gender
transition.
Transgender
An umbrella term that
describes people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from
the sex they were assigned at birth. This group includes, but is not limited to,
transsexuals, cross-dressers and other gender-variant people. Transgender
people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or
surgically.
The Full Spectrum
Assigned
Sex
The sex/gender one is
considered to be at birth based on a cursory examination of external genitalia.
Asexual
In
its broadest sense, asexual describes individuals who are not sexually
attracted to others or are not interested in sex. Those who identify as asexual
may still be romantically attracted to others.
Bi-Gendered
Describes individuals who identify
as having both a “male” and “female” side to their personalities.
Bisexual
Describes
a person who is attracted to both men
and women. Because bisexual assumes a binary, male/female paradigm, many
individuals now use the term pansexual.
Closeted
or In the Closet
Hiding one’s sexual
orientation.
Coming
Out
The process by which
lesbians, gay men and bisexual people recognize, acknowledge, accept and
typically appreciate their sexual identities.
Gay
Describes a person whose
emotional, romantic and sexual attractions are primarily for individuals of the
same sex, typically in reference to men and boys, sometimes used as a general
term for gay men and lesbians.
LGBT
An acronym, which stands
for “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.” Other versions may add “Q” for
Queer or Questioning, “I” for Intersex and “A” for Allied. Some may prefer to
list the acronym as TBLG to place transpeople in a position of importance and
to rectify the way trans has historically been omitted, devalued or excluded.
Genderqueer
Describes individuals who
possess identities that fall outside of the widely accepted sexual binary.
Gender
Role
Clothing, characteristics,
traits and behaviors culturally associated with masculinity and/or femininity.
Gender
Variant
A term that describes
individuals who stray from socially accepted gender roles.
Heterosexism
The societal/cultural,
institutional and individual beliefs and practices that privilege heterosexuals
and subordinate and denigrate lesbians, gay men and bisexual/pansexual people.
The critical element that differentiates heterosexism (or any other “ism”) from
prejudice and discrimination is the use of institutional power and authority to
support prejudices and enforce discriminatory behaviors in systematic ways with
far-reaching outcomes and effects.
Heterosexual
Ally
Heterosexual people who
confront heterosexism in themselves and others out of self-interest, a concern
for the well-being of lesbians, gay men and bisexual/pansexual people, and a
belief that heterosexism is a social injustice.
Heterosexual
Privilege
The benefits and
advantages that heterosexuals receive in a heterosexist culture. Also, the
benefits that lesbians, gay men, and bisexual/pansexual people receive as a
result of claiming a heterosexual identity and
denying a lesbian, gay, or bisexual/pansexual identity.
Homophobia
Literally,
the fear of homosexuals and homosexuality; however, this term is generally
applied to anyone who dislikes LGBTIQ people, who uses derogatory sexuality- or
gender-based terms, or who feels that LGBTIQ people want “special rights” and
not “equal rights.” Homophobic behavior can range from telling jokes about
lesbians and gay men to verbal abuse and even acts of physical violence.
Intersex
Intersex people are born
with physical sex markers (genitals, hormones, gonads or chromosomes) that are
neither clearly male nor female.
Lesbian
A woman or girl whose
emotional, romantic and sexual attractions are primarily for other women or
girls.
Out
or Out of the Closet
To be openly lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgendered, queer or intersex.
Outing
When someone discloses
information about another’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that
person’s knowledge and/or consent.
Queer
Queer is a term that has
been reclaimed by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender
communities to describe people who transgress culturally imposed norms of heterosexuality
and gender traditionalism. Although still often an abusive epithet when used by
bigoted heterosexuals, many queer-identified people have taken back the word to
use it as a symbol of pride and affirmation of difference and diversity.
Sex
Reassignment Surgery (SRS)
A procedure that
physically transforms the genitals using plastic surgery. SRS is a single
surgical alteration and is only one small part of transition. Not all
transgender people choose to, or can afford to, have SRS. While this procedure
is often referred to as a sex change
operation in popular culture, SRS is the preferred term.
Sexism
The societal/cultural,
institutional and individual beliefs and practices that privilege men and subordinate
and denigrate women.
Straight
Slang term for heterosexual.
Trans
An umbrella term that describes
people who permanently or periodically dis-identify with the sex they were
assigned at birth.
Trans-Friendly
Describes organizations or
institutions that are open, affirming and accepting of transpeople and their
social, political and cultural needs.
Gender Transition
The period of time in
which a person begins to live in a gender role that is in accordance with his
or her internal gender identity. Transition is not a one-step procedure; it is
a complex process that occurs over a long period of time. Transition may
include some or all of the following cultural, legal and medical adjustments: informing
one's family, friends and/or co-workers; changing one's name and/or sex on
legal documents; undergoing hormone therapy; and/or seeking surgical alteration
(see Sex Reassignment Surgery).
Transphobia
The irrational fear and
hatred of all those individuals who do not conform to dominant gender
categories.