Lgbtqia+ stand for
What do the letters in LGBTQIA+ stand for? Shared terms explained
A lot has changed for the gender non-conforming community in Australia.
Legally, we've achieved marriage equality, and conversion therapy has been banned in a number of states.
Culturally, we've seen a shift towards more inclusive practices. You can now add your pronouns to your Instagram bio, and we've had the first ever queer Bachelorette.
But sometimes, the rate of change can make it hard to keep up. So if you're feeling confused by the language and terms surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community, we've broken down some of the most common terms.
What is sexuality or sexual orientation?
Your sexuality is about who you're attracted to romantically and/or sexually.
Lesbian, gay, double attraction, queer, asexual and direct are all sexualities, but there are many other terms someone might employ to describe themself.
What's the difference between sex and gender?
When you're born, it's likely your doctor would have noted down your sex on your birth certificate based on your sex characteristics, like your genitals or reproductive system. This is your sex assigned at birth.
Whereas gender relat
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, transforming and often mean diverse things to different people. They are provided below as a starting direct for discussion and sympathetic. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the first s.
These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help deliver others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they express 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 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 oppression
Pride Month What do LGBTQ and LGBTQIA+ mean?
LGBTQ+ people have always existed, even if the language seems new. Conversations around sexual orientation and gender are nuanced -- and the "alphabet," if you will, is expanding.
"L" stands for Lesbian: A girl emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women.
"G" stands for Gay: Used to describe men attracted to the same sex OR anyone attracted to the same or similar genders.
"B" stands for Bisexual: People attracted to more than one gender.
"T" stands for Transgender: Those whose gender identity and/or expression differs from cultural expectations. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Some agender people identify as transsexual, while others do not.
"Q" has two meanings. First, queer, a catch-all to include those who undertake not identify as exclusively straight and/or folks who have non-binary or gender-fluid identities. Queer was once used as a slur but has been reclaimed by some in the community. "Q" can also stand for those, questioning their identity.
In addition to LGBTQ, some also combine the letters,
What Is the &#;I&#; in LGBTQIA+?
June is National LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Somewhat recently, the Identity acronym has adopted more letters. Many sources now refer to the LGBTQIA+ community, which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, 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 perceive 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 existence male, female, or a combination.
Beck, who researches endocrinology, reiterates this difference: “While sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably by peo
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