Each part of the lgbtq
People are often confused by the terms lesbian, queer, bisexual, transgender, queer and the related acronym LGBTQIA+. The following definitions will help you to get these terms.
LGBTQIA+: The first four letters of this standard abbreviation are “Lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual and transgender.” The letter Q can be upright for “questioning” -- as in still exploring one’s sexuality -- or “queer,” or sometimes both. The I,A and + were added on later to stand for Intersex, Ally or Asexual, and the PLUS sign for everyone else that wasn't included in the first letters.
Lesbian: A woman whose enduring physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction is to some other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women. Avoid naming lesbians as “homosexuals,” a derogatory term (see Disgusting Terms to Avoid).
Gay: The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, passionate and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same sex (e.g., gay man, gay people). In contemporary contexts, lesbian (n. or adj.) is often a preferred term for women. Avoid
Struggling to understand the LGBTQIA+ meaning of the acronym? You’re not alone.
For many people who are new to the LGBTQIA+ community, this acronym can look confusing or overwhelming.
If you are recent, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here with us today.
And if you aren’t new to the community, but are curious to grasp more about how the community has changed over the years, we’re delighted you’ve joined us today, too.
The way the LGBTQIA+ society interacts – both with each other and with the world around us – is constantly changing. We compete to include everyone and to build everyone feel seen and understood.
What Does LGBTQIA+ Mean?
For many years, the umbrella term “gay” was used to portray the community.
Now, many people worry about how to approach out, but coming out before the 1970s wasn’t even an option, as many states illegalized what they called “homosexuality” or “sodomy.” There was also no acronym at all, restricting the inclusivity of our community.
Once an acronym appeared, all versions of it began with “L” – for an crucial reason.
In the adv days of the gay rights movement, the lesbian collective often felt dismissed or
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, transforming and often mean alternative things to different people. They are provided below as a starting aim for discussion and sympathetic. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the first 2000s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help offer others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they intend when they use a term, especially when they use it to outline their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a phrase 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 essential to acknowledge as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppress
List of LGBTQ+ terms
A
Abro (sexual and romantic)
A word used to narrate people who have a fluid sexual and/or sentimental orientation which changes over time, or the course of their life. They may use different terms to describe themselves over time.
Ace
An umbrella term used specifically to describe a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of sexual attraction. This encompasses asexual people as well as those who identify as demisexual and grey-sexual. Ace people who experience idealistic attraction or occasional sexual attraction might also employ terms such as same-sex attracted, bi, lesbian, straight and queer in conjunction with asexual to describe the direction of their intimate or sexual attraction.
Ace and aro/ace and aro spectrum
Umbrella terms used to depict the wide group of people who experience a lack of, varying, or occasional experiences of affectionate and/or sexual attraction, including a lack of attraction. People who identify under these umbrella terms may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including, but not limited to, asexual, ace, aromantic, aro, demi, grey, and abro. People may also use terms such as gay, bi, lesbian, linear
LGBTQ+ Pride Flags
In the Queer community, we signify our pride with flags. With many different identities in the community, there comes many unlike flags to realize. We have poised all of the flags and a guide to acquire about all of the different colors of our community’s rainbow. We realize that this may not be all of the flags that represent our community, but we will update the page as brand-new flags become popular!
Explore the flag collection below! See a flag's name by hovering or clicking on the flag.
Umbrella Flags
Gilbert Baker Pride Flag
Traditional Pride Flag
Philadelphia Event Flag
Progress Pride Flag
Intersex-Inclusive Progress Parade Flag
Lgbtq+ Pride Flag
The original Pride Flag was created in 1978 after activist Harvey Milk asked artist Gilbert Baker to design a symbol of male lover pride. Each hue represents a unlike part of the LGBTQ+ community: boiling pink represents sex, red symbolizes animation, orange stands for healing, yellow equals sunlight, green stands for nature, turquoise symbolizes magic and art, indigo represents serenity, while violet symbolizes the essence of LGBTQ+ people.
After the assass