I got into a philosophical conversation today with some friends about how it is incredibly common for the masses to cut off the letters after “LGBT”. Hardly anyone uses the other letters, or they go so far as Q. I want to discuss these terms, as well as a few others. Not in spite of Pulse, but because of it. Human rights and human beings cannot continue to go unspoken, underrepresented and undermined. My only waiver statement is that I’m trying my best to be accurate, but I’m not perfect. This is meant as a discussion-if you have comments, concerns or general inquiries-please plop them into the comments. I always take them seriously-ya’ll know that to be true.
Lesbian: A woman who is romantically, sexually, and/or affectionally attracted to women.
Gay: A man who is romantically, sexually, and/or affectionally attracted to men.
Bisexual: A person who has sexual and emotional relationships with or feelings towards both women and men, although not necessarily at the same time.
Transgender: A term for people who challenge society’s view of gender as fixed, unmoving, dichotomous, and inextricably linked to one’s biological sex.
Queer: Usually this term is used as a self-affirming umbrella term for the LGBTQIA community. *COULD BE OFFENSIVE*
Intersex (Androgynous): A person born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia, or an internal reproductive system that is not considered medically standard for either male or female. If both are present, the term hermaphrodite may still be used, even though it is outdated
Asexual: A person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction or who has low or no interest in sexual activity. There is considerable diversity among the asexual community; each asexual person experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently.
Pan (Poly)sexual: A person who is attracted to all or many genders or gender expressions.
+ (Ally): An individual whose attitudes and behavior are supportive and affirming of all genders and sexual orientations and who is active in combating homophobia, transphobia, heterosexism, and cissexism both personally and institutionally.
Questioning: A process whereby an individual is re-assessing his or her sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Androphilia: attraction to men, males, and/or masculinity
Gynephilia: attracted to woman, females, and/or femininity
Autosexual: someone who has a great deal of trouble responding to someone else sexually but can respond fairly or very well to his (or her) own touch.
Metrosexual: a man with a strong aesthetic sense who spends more time, energy, or money on his appearance and grooming than is considered gender normative.
Skoliosexual: attracted to genderqueer and transsexual people and expressions
Genderqueer: Identity adopted by some trans people who blur the lines of the gender binary or embrace gender fluidity.
Gender Binary: Recognizes only two genders and regulates behavior within narrowly male or female expectations.
Neutrois: non-binary gender identity which is considered to be a neutral or null gender.
Transsexual: a person who identifies as a sex other than the one to which they were assigned at birth
Aromantic: a person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in forming romantic relationships.
Greyromantic: orientation that is between aromantic (no romantic attraction) and romantic, experiencing romantic attraction, but not very often.
Lithromantic: feel romantic attraction towards others and also enjoy being in romantic relationships but only in theory.
Demiromantic: an individual who does not experience attraction unless they have formed a strong emotional connection with another individual. Often within a romantic relationship.
Polyamorous: open to more than one relationship even if they are not currently involved in more than one
Cisgender: Not transgender, that is, having a gender identity or gender role that society considers appropriate for the sex one was assigned at birth.
Sexual Orientation: A person’s emotional, physical, and sexual attraction and the expression of that attraction with other individuals.
There’s a difference between sex, sexual orientation and gender. There is also a difference between sexual orientation and attraction. I just want to get these definitions out there, because ignorance can only be defeated by education and understanding.
Definitions today were taken from: