We've curated this glossary to highlight and define words you may encounter that are commonly related to LGBTQIA+ people and communities around the United States.
This is a living resource, researched and maintained over three decades by Midwest LGBTQIA+ college students, higher ed professionals, MBLGTACC planners and attendees, and the collective wisdom and experience of our many communities. At the same time, we acknowledge and respect that language is often highly contested, and that language related to identity is complex, with meaning that is bound by culture and time. Please keep in mind that identities, even in one time and place, exist on spectrums, so this is also not an exhaustive list or explanation of all possible identities. All terms used to describe identities are subject to varying interpretation by those who claim the identity, and no identity or definition should be imposed on another person.
Have a suggestion to improve a definition? Want to see other terms included? Let us know through your MBLGTACC evaluations, DM us on social media, or email us at hello@sgdinstitute.org.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people who are perceived to have or actually have mental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Stands for “assigned female at birth” and “assigned male at birth” respectively. Other variations of this abbreviation may substitute the initial A for a D (designated) and/or add a preceding C for coercively.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of their perceived or actual age. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes a lack of gender or a sense of self falling completely outside of the gender spectrum.
Describes an identity or presentation that exists between or has elements of both what is typically defined as feminine and what is typically defined as masculine.
Describes a person who does not identify as a particular marginalized identity but who actively works to support those who hold that identity and works against the oppression of that identity group.
Describes a person who does not experience romantic attraction or who experiences a varying degree of romantic attraction.
Describes a person who does not experience sexual attraction or who experiences a varying degree of sexual attraction. “Ace” is another term used to describe an asexual person.
Describes a person who has two or more distinct gender identities. Not necessarily within the gender binary, but can be.
Describes a person who experiences sexual attraction to persons of varying genders.
Describes a person who experiences romantic attraction to persons of varying genders.
Describes a person whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of incongruence with one’s assigned sex at birth. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of perceived or actual lower socio-economic status. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people within the same racial group on the basis of skin color and other external traits. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes the act of referring to a person, especially a trans person, with their birth name or “dead name” instead of their chosen name. Considered a form of transphobia.
Describes the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their perceived or actual membership of a specific identity. Involves behaviors towards groups such as excluding or restricting members of one group from opportunities or resources that are available to another group.
Describes exaggerated, theatrical, or performative gender presentation. Doing drag does not necessarily have anything to do with one’s gender or how one experiences sexual and/or romantic attraction.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of their perceived or actual faith and/or religious affiliation. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes an identity or presentation that leans toward what is typically defined as feminine. This term is not necessarily interchangeable with “woman,” “girl,” or “female.”
Describes a person whose sexual and/or romantic orientation is primarily toward those of the same or similar gender. This term has also been used/interpreted as an umbrella term for those within the LGBTQIA+ community.
Describes the Western system of categorizing people as one of two genders (male/man, female/woman) which are defined as corresponding to a person’s anatomy.
Describes how one externally expresses gender, including but not limited to dress, mannerisms, and behaviors.
Describes one’s own internal sense/interpretation of their gender. This may or may not correspond to one’s gender expression or assigned sex.
Describes those whose gender expression exists outside the gender binary.
Describes a gender that entails movement and shifting on the gender spectrum. Not necessarily within the gender binary, but can be.
Describes a variety of genders that fall outside the gender binary. It can also be used as a synonym for non-binary, but not necessarily so.
Describes the assumption that all people are or should be heterosexual and conform to the normative gender roles of masculine men and feminine women.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination or exclusion of people who are perceived to be or are actually queer. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes a person who experiences sexual attraction to persons of the “opposite” gender within the constructs of the gender binary.
Describes a person whose primary romantic orientation is toward the “opposite” gender within the constructs of the gender binary.
Describes the system of interpersonal oppression that perpetuates the discrimination or exclusion of those who are perceived to be or are actually queer.
Describes a person who experiences sexual attraction to persons of the same or similar gender. Can carry negative connotations, but not necessarily so.
Describes the use of specific and purposeful language in order to avoid imposing limitations or assumptions on groups or individuals.
Describes a person who is born with sex characteristics (including genitals, gonads, and chromosome patterns) that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
Describes a feminine-aligned person whose primary sexual and/or romantic orientation is toward people of the same or similar gender.
Stands for the various identities within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, + more communities.
Describes an identity or presentation that leans toward what is typically defined as masculine. This term is not necessarily interchangeable with “man,” “boy,” or “male.”
Describes a sexual orientation that involves attraction towards two or more genders.
Describes the act of referring to someone, especially a trans person, using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, which does not correctly reflect the gender with which they identify. Considered a form of transphobia. Two Spirit. Describes a large variety of LGBTQIA+ identities within indigenous communities. This term should be claimed exclusively used by those who identify as indigenous.
Describes the interpersonal system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of femininity and feminine-aligned people.
Describes a gender that exists outside the gender binary.
Describes a person who experiences sexual attraction to persons regardless of gender.
Describes a person who experiences romantic attraction to persons regardless of gender.
Describes a person who experiences sexual attraction to many, but not necessarily all, genders.
Describes a person who experiences romantic attraction to many, but not necessarily all, genders.
Describes the practice of having more than one relationship at a time with the consent of everyone involved. Not to be confused with polygamy.
Stands for the various identities within the “Queer and/or Trans Person/People of Color” communities.
Describes identities, expressions, and/or sexualities that reject or contrast normative gender and sexual conventions and expectations. Has historically had negative connotations, but many within the LGBTQIA+ community have reclaimed it for themselves.
Describes a person who is questioning or exploring their sexual orientation, romantic attraction, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people who are perceived to be or are actually people of color. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
An ideal setting in which people within the LGBTQIA+ communities and/or those of other marginalized identities feel free to be their authentic selves. Inhabitants intentionally reject harmful social norms and expectations, and act and speak inclusively.
The assignment and classification of people based on a combination of their physical anatomy, chromosomes, and/or hormones at birth.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of a person’s perceived or actual sex. This applies to both trans people and cis women. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes the system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people on the basis of a person’s perceived or actual size, weight, and/or height. Appears both systemically and interpersonally.
Describes an umbrella term for all people whose gender differs from their assigned sex at birth and/or the binary gender system. Some trans people feel they exist not within one of the two standard gender categories but rather somewhere between, beyond, or outside of those two genders.
Describes the process of developing a gender expression to match one’s gender. There are many forms of transitions. Transitions can, but does not always, include: coming out to one’s family, friends, and/or co-workers; changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; some forms of gender-affirming surgery and/or medical procedures.
Describes the interpersonal system of oppression that perpetuates the discrimination and exclusion of people who are perceived to be or are actually trans.
Describes the system that perpetuates the discrimination or exclusion of those who are perceived to be or are actually from outside of a particular majority group’s culture.
Stay up-to-date on all events, news, announcements, and more.
We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.