terminology
LGBTQ and LGBTQIA are acronyms for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. It is also common to use the term queer as an umbrella term for all of these.
A person whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.
The term gay typically indicates a man who is emotionally, romantically and/or physically attracted to other men. The term gay is sometimes also used to describe lesbians or as an umbrella term for anyone who is LGBTQ.
A woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to other women. Non-binary people may also use this term to describe themselves, if applicable.
Celibacy (or being celibate) refers to the practice of not participating in sexual activity
Queer is an umbrella term for people who do not identify as exclusively straight and/or people who have non-binary or gender-expansive identities. Although this term used to have a negative connotation, it has been reclaimed by the LGBTQ community and is commonly used.
Pronouns are commonly used as part of speech that helps identify people by their characteristics. For example, you might tell someone that you “gave Susan a compliment” or you could also say that you “gave her a compliment”. In this example, Susan is identified as a woman because we have used the pronoun “her” instead of her name. Everyone has pronouns that are used to describe them. Usually assumptions are made about what pronouns are correct to use for a person, based on our perception of their physical appearance or our knowledge of their assigned sex at birth. However, for transgender, non-binary, queer, or gender-non-conforming people, the pronouns associated with their assigned sex at birth might not match their identify and.or expression of gender. Individuals may choose to go by any combination of pronouns that they feel best describe them. Honoring the choice of pronouns is a way that we can show respect and love.
A transgender person is someone whose gender identity and/or gender expression is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply a specific sexual orientation. Transgender people may identify as gay, straight, bisexual, etc.
An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a women. Non-binary individuals may identify as being both male and female, or somewhere in between, or completely outside of these categories. While many non-binary people also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people are transgender.
A person emotionally, romantically or physically attracted to more than one gender, though not necessarily simultaneously, in the same way or to the same degree. Sometimes used interchangeably with pansexual.
Drag is a performance art. It’s time-honored form of theater that plays with gender expression and heightened gender stereotypes. Drag queens are people, usually male or trans, who dress in women’s clothing and often act with exaggerated and stereotypical femininity with a primarily entertaining purpose. They often exaggerate make-up for dramatic, comedic, and/or satirical effect. The term “female impersonator” is no longer used.
Drag kings are mostly female or trans performance artists who dress in masculine drag and personify male gender stereotypes as part of an individual or group routine.
A mixed-orientation relationship (MOR) is between partners of differing sexual orientations. Mixed-orientation marriage (MOM) is a mixed-orientation couple who are married to each other.
A person’s sense of their own gender. Gender identity can correlate with a person’s assigned sex but sometimes it does not.
Coming out refers to the act of disclosing one's sexuality and/or gender identity to others. Being able to discuss sexual orientation with others also increases the availability of social support and psychological well-being. Coming out is often an important step for LGBTQ people.
Typically a cisgender person who supports, includes, protects, and/or advocates for LGBTQ individuals.
Asexual (sometimes called “ace”) people experience little or no physical attraction.
The significant distress an individual may experience as a result of their gender being different than the one they were assigned at birth.
A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender or has a fluid or unfixed gender identity.
Intersex people are born with a variety of differences in their sex traits and reproductive anatomy.
Attraction to someone of the same gender. Sometimes referred to as same-gender attraction. These terms are often used in Church publications and talks, but are not widely used by LGBTQ people.
