Growing up can be difficult. According to national data, it is even harder to grow up identifying as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ) person. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, and other identities are included in the LGBTQIA+ umbrella phrase.
When compared to their peers in the general population, LGBTQ youth experience higher rates of rejection, violence, suicide, and homelessness. In addition to being overrepresented in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, LGBTQ kids are more likely to drop out of school than their heterosexual peers.
In today's diverse and inclusive society, it's essential to have a clear understanding of LGBTQ+ terminology and concepts. Let's explore the rich tapestry of terms that define various aspects of sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression.
AGENDER: Agender individuals do not identify as exclusively male or female or may see themselves as genderless or gender-neutral.
ALLY: Allies are individuals, including those who are heterosexual and cisgender, who actively support and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and equality.
ASEXUAL: Asexuality describes individuals who do not experience sexual attraction or have a desire to engage in sexual behavior.
BIGENDER: Bigender individuals identify with two genders, which may be experienced simultaneously or at different times and can include binary or non-binary identities.
BISEXUAL: Bisexual individuals are attracted to both men and women, with no requirement for specific sexual experiences to identify as such.
CISGENDER: Cisgender individuals' gender identity aligns with the sex assigned to them at birth.
COMING OUT: This process involves an individual understanding and revealing their sexual orientation or gender identity to others, which can be an internal or external process.
ENBY: Enby is a term for non-binary individuals who do not exclusively identify as male or female and often prefer "they" as a pronoun.
GAY: Gay individuals are emotionally and/or physically attracted to people of the same gender, and this term is inclusive of men, women, and non-binary individuals.
GENDER: Gender is a social construct used to classify individuals as male, female, or other identities, distinct from their sex assigned at birth.
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GENDER AFFIRMING SURGERY: This term refers to surgical procedures that align an individual's body with their gender identity.
GENDER DYSPHORIA: Gender dysphoria is the distress experienced when an individual's assigned sex at birth does not align with their gender identity.
GENDER EXPRESSION: Gender expression is how individuals communicate their gender to others through clothing, speech, behavior, and more, which may not necessarily align with their gender identity.
GENDER FLUID: Gender-fluid individuals experience changes in their gender identity and/or expression over time.
GENDER IDENTITY: Gender identity is an individual's internal sense of being male, female, a combination of both, or another gender, irrespective of their assigned sex at birth.
GENDER NEUTRAL: Gender-neutral individuals do not identify as being exclusively of a particular gender and often use pronouns like "they/them/their."
GENDER NONCONFORMING: Gender-nonconforming individuals do not conform to traditional gender expectations in terms of appearance or behavior.
HETEROSEXUAL: Heterosexual individuals are attracted to individuals of the opposite gender.
HOMOSEXUAL: While once commonly used, this term has fallen out of favor within the LGBTQ+ community and refers to individuals attracted to those of the same gender.
INTERSEX: Intersex individuals are born with sex characteristics that do not align with typical male or female bodies.
LESBIAN: Lesbian individuals are women attracted to other women.
LGBTQ: LGBTQ is an acronym encompassing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning individuals, or the community as a whole.
NON-BINARY: Non-binary individuals do not exclusively identify as male or female, and their gender identity may vary.
PANSEXUAL: Pansexual individuals are attracted to people of all genders.
QUEER: Some individuals, particularly younger generations, reclaim the term queer to describe non-heterosexual orientations.
QUESTIONING: Questioning individuals are still exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
SEX: Sex refers to the classification of individuals as male or female, typically assigned at birth based on physical characteristics.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Sexual orientation is an enduring emotional and/or physical attraction to others.
SOGIE: SOGIE stands for Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression, recognizing these facets of an individual's identity.
STRAIGHT: Straight individuals are attracted to individuals of the opposite gender.
TRANSGENDER: Transgender individuals have a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth.
TRANSITION: Transition is the process by which transgender individuals align their gender identity, expression, and sometimes anatomy with their true gender.
TWO-SPIRIT: Two-spirit is a term used by some Native American and Alaska Native individuals to describe their multifaceted sexual, gender, and spiritual identities.
Understanding these terms is crucial for fostering inclusivity and promoting respectful dialogue within our diverse society. Embracing diversity and using these terms with respect can lead to greater understanding and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.