Gender Role - A societal expectation of how an individual should act, think, and/or feel based upon an assigned gender in relation to society’s binary biological sex system. A “Transsexual” individual must go through several years of hormones and psychological evaluation and live as the “opposite” or “desired” gender prior to receiving the surgery (see intersex). This is often paired with hormone treatment and psychological assistance. Gender/Sexual Reassignment Surgery – Refers to a surgical procedure to transition an individual from one biological sex to another. Gender Non Conforming - A person who is, or is perceived to have gender characteristics that do not conform to traditional or societal expectations. This term can also be used to describe an individual who does not subscribe to any socially constructed gender (sometimes referred to as “Gender Queer”). Gender Neutral - This term is used to describe facilities that any individual can use regardless of their gender (e.g. It is important to note that an individual’s gender identity is completely separate from their sexual orientation or sexual preference. Gender identity is an internalized realization of one’s gender and may not be manifested in their outward appearance (gender expression) or their place in society (gender role). Gender Identity - Since gender is a social construct, an individual may have a self perception of their gender that is different or the same as their biological sex. Gender expression is not always correlated to an individuals’ gender identity or gender role. This may refer to how an individual dresses, their general appearance, the way they speak, and/or the way they carry themselves. Gender Expression - Refers to how an individual expresses their socially constructed gender. Avoid identifying gay people as “homosexuals” an outdated term considered derogatory and offensive to many lesbian and gay people. or adj.) is often a preferred term for women. Gay - The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (e.g., gay man, gay people). Unless they are drag performers, most Trans people would be offended by being confused with drag queens or drag kings. Drag shows are popular in some gay, lesbian, and bisexual environments. Drag kings typically live as women and/or butches when not performing. Drag queens typically have everyday lives as men. This term is almost exclusively used to describe men of color.ĭrag Queen/Drag King - Used by people who present socially in clothing, name, and/or pronouns that differ from their everyday gender, usually for enjoyment, entertainment, and/or self-expression. Often these men are in committed sexual relationships or marriages with a female partner. Publicly identifying one’s orientation may or may not be part of coming out.ĭown Low - Pop-culture term used to describe men who identify as heterosexual but engage in sexual activity with other men. People forge a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identity first to themselves and then may reveal it to others. Bisexuals need not have had sexual experience with both men and women in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as bisexual.Ĭisgender - a term used to describe people who, for the most part, identify as the gender they were assigned at birth.Ĭloseted - Describes a person who is not open about his or her sexual orientation.Ĭoming Out - A lifelong process of self-acceptance. There are many diverse ways of being asexual.īiphobia - The fear, hatred, or intolerance of bisexual people.īisexual, Bi - An individual who is physically, romantically and/or emotionally attracted to men and women. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity. White Ally for People of Color).Īndrogynous - Term used to describe an individual whose gender expression and/or identity may be neither distinctly “female” nor “male,” usually based on appearance.Īsexual - A sexual orientation generally characterized by not feeling sexual attraction or desire for partnered sexuality. The term ally is generally used for any member of a dominant group who is a friend, advocate or activist for people in an oppressed group (i.e.
A heterosexual ally is also someone who confronts heterosexism in themselves and others. Ally (Heterosexual Ally, Straight Ally) - Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/or activist for LGBTQ people.