What does LGBTQ+ mean?

LGBT is a term used to define Gender identity and Sexuality.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people are now an acknowledged, visible and respected part of modern society in the West. This makes it vital we understand the exact terminology, as acronyms can often be confusing.

The table below breaks down the 'LGBTQ+' term, which is derived from the more complex 'LGBTTTQQIAAP' acronym. Each letter is defined, explained and categorized by type:

SEXUALITY

GENDER IDENTITY

LGBTQ+ is shorthand for LGBT TTQQ IAAP

Lesbian L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Lesbian is a female homosexual. She is a female who experiences love or sexual attraction towards other females.

W Lesbian

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Gay L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Gay is a male homosexual. He is a male who experiences love or sexual attraction towards other males. Female lesbians may also be referred to as gay.

W Gay

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Bisexual L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Bisexual is a person who has a love or sexual attraction towards both male and female.

W Bisexuality

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Transgender L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Transgender is a person who self-identifies with a gender other then that assigned at birth. For example, a baby boy grows up and outwardly and formally expresses themselves as a female.

W Transgender

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Transsexual L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Transexual is a person who emotionally and psychologically feels they belong to the opposite gender, and not the one assigned at birth. For example, a baby boy grows up and feels they 'are more' female than male.

W Transsexual

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Two-Spirit L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Two-Spirit is a term used by some indigenous North Americans to describe gender-variant individuals who have both male and female spirits within them.

W Two-spirit

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Queer L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Queer is similar to gay, but is free of gender. A queer person can be attracted to people across the gender spectrum, not just male or female.

W Queer

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Questioning L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

SEXUALITY

Questioning is a person who questions their own gender and/or sexual preference. This person is unsure, so explores and asks questions.

W Questioning_(sexuality_and_gender)

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Questioning Agender L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Agender, also known as genderless, genderfree, non-gendered, or ungendered is a person who does not identify with any gender: male, female etc. For example, a male who believes he has no gender.

W Non-binary_gender

Questioning Gender Queer L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Gender Queer is a person who is not exclusively male, female etc. For example, a male who believes he is not only a male.

W Non-binary_gender

Questioning Bigender L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Bigender is a person who switches between the male and female genders. Bigenders identify with both male and female to varying degrees. For example, a male who identifies as a female based on the environment etc.

W Bigender

Questioning Gender Variant L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Gender variant, also known as gender nonconformity, gender diverse or gender atypical is where a person does not express gender norms.

W Gender_variance

Intersex L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Intersex is a person with biological variations such as chromosomes, gonads, or genitalia are not distinctly male or female.

W Intersex

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Intersex Pangender L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

GENDER IDENTITY

Pangender is a person who identifies with all genders. For example, a male who believes they are male, female and transgender.

W Pangender

Asexual L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Asexuality, or nonsexuality is a person who lacks sexual attraction to anyone. Asexuals have little or no interest in any sexual activity with any gender.

W Asexuality

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Ally L G B T T T Q Q I A A P Ally is a person who is supportive of the LGBTQ+ community.

W Ally_Week

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Pansexual L G B T T T Q Q I A A P

SEXUALITY

Pansexual is a person who has love or sexual attraction towards any gender. Pansexuals hold gender as irrelevant in determining sexual attraction. For example, a male is attracted to the way others think, regardless of the gender.

W Pansexuality

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IMPORTANT NOTE:
The above list is not exhaustive. As a modern phenomenon, it is likely new letters will be added to 'LGBTTTQQIAA', as new sexual preferences are discovered and society becomes more accepting and inclusive.

CREDIT:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT
https://ok2bme.ca/resources/kids-teens/what-does-lgbtq-mean
https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/lgbtiq-communities

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