What do letters mean in lgbtq+

Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary. 

Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@glaad.org

*NOTE:  Request people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender culture and gender verbalization before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
 

LGBTQ
Acronym for lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accuratel

LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary

GLOSSARY

The terms and definitions below are always evolving, modifying and often mean unlike things to different people. They are provided below as a starting show for discussion and comprehending. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the prior 2000s.

These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help grant others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they indicate 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 legal title for themselves.

 

“If I didn't define 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. These terms are significant to acknowledge as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppress

Like our LGBTQ group, the LGBTQ acronyms and definitions are always growing and changing. This progress is a excellent thing and is indicative of the increasing inclusivity of the variance of gender, sexuality, and identity within our community.

But what do all these LGBTQ acronyms and letters stand for and mean? Some are historic terms that are returning into fashion, some are words that used to be derogatory but now have been reclaimed, and some are brand new to better identify the nuances within the LGBTQ community.

While this is by no means a definitive list, it will explain the more frequent and commonly used LGBTQ acronyms.

LGBT Acronym:The Classic 

Although no longer seen as fully inclusive, the classic four-letter LGBT acronym has become internationally synonymous with the gender non-conforming community. . This is the most well-known of all the acronyms, debuting back in the mid-1980s as a way to unite the community and move away from the often derogatory-laced “homosexual” (among other words). Originally, it began as just LGB, with the transgender “T” coming in later. 

LGBTQ Acronym: The Question of Q

The “Q” in the LGBTQ acronym is probably the most confu

what do letters mean in lgbtq+

What Is the “I” in LGBTQIA+?

June is National LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Somewhat recently, the Movement acronym has adopted more letters. Many sources now refer to the LGBTQIA+ community, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, gender diverse, queer, intersex, and asexual. While some of those words are often discussed, others may need some further explanation. We turned to Laurel A. Beck, PhD, Senior Instructor in CU Denver’s Department of Integrative Biology to explain the “I” in LGBTQIA+.

First things first. One aspect that makes all the letters in LGBTQ+ difficult for some people to know is the difference between sex and gender. Comedian and social justice activist Sam Killermann, who previously presented a comedy demonstrate called “It’s Pronounced Metrosexual” at college campuses nationwide, now creates edugraphics to explain the complexities of sex and gender. As his Genderbread Person illustrates, sex relates to a person’s anatomy, while gender refers to a person’s self-identified feeling of creature male, female, or a combination.

Beck, who researches endocrinology, reiterates this difference: “While sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably

What does LGBTIQ+ mean and why are the letters in that order?

Like our continuously evolving language, the LGBTIQ+ acronym has changed to reflect the distinct terms people use to describe themselves.

It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex and Queer. The + represents others not explicitly mentioned such as pansexual, agender, and asexual.

The acronym encompasses Queer, previously used as a insulting description, so while reclaimed by some, it is only used when people self-identify with it.

Ghassan Kassisieh, Equality Australia's legal director, describes LGBTIQ+ as an "umbrella term" for a diverse rainbow community.

"It represents diverse sexualities, genders and people with variations of sex characteristics, also recognizable as intersex people," he told SBS News.

"It's grown with time to provide more prominence to some of the diversity within our broader rainbow communities."

From GLB to LGBTIQ+: How has the acronym changed?

In the 1960s, as the gay rights movement gained momentum, activists reclaimed the word "gay" to depict people in same-sex relationships.

Around this time, the GLB ȁ