LGBTQ+ Glossary: A Starter Guide

LGBTQ+ language can feel unfamiliar at first. Some terms describe sexual orientation, others refer to gender, relationships, community or shared experiences. Language also changes as people find better ways to describe themselves.

This starter glossary explains commonly used LGBTQ+ terms in clear, respectful language. It is not a test, and you do not need to memorise every definition. When talking to a particular person, the safest approach is simple: listen to the words they use for themselves.

What does LGBTQ+ mean?

LGBTQ+ is an umbrella acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning people. The plus sign recognises the many other sexual orientations, gender identities and variations in sex characteristics that are not named individually in the acronym.

Other versions include LGBT, LGBTQIA+, LGBTQI+ and 2SLGBTQIA+. Different organisations and communities may prefer different forms. There is no single acronym that is universally required.

Sexual and romantic orientation

Lesbian

A woman who experiences romantic or sexual attraction to women. Some non-binary people also identify as lesbians.

Being a lesbian is not determined by appearance, relationship history or sexual experience.

Gay

A person who experiences romantic or sexual attraction to people of the same gender. The word is often associated with men, but people of other genders may also describe themselves as gay.

Bisexual

A person who can experience attraction to more than one gender. Bisexuality does not require equal attraction to every gender, and a bisexual person’s identity does not change depending on their current partner.

Pansexual

A person who can experience attraction to people regardless of gender. Some people understand pansexuality as attraction in which gender is not a determining factor.

Bisexual and pansexual are distinct but overlapping identities. The best term is the one a person chooses for themselves.

Asexual

An asexual—or ace—person experiences little or no sexual attraction. Asexuality exists on a spectrum and does not automatically mean that someone avoids relationships, intimacy or sex.

Asexuality is different from celibacy, which is a choice concerning sexual activity.

Demisexual

A person who generally experiences sexual attraction only after developing a strong emotional connection. Demisexuality is commonly placed on the asexual spectrum.

Aromantic

An aromantic—or aro—person experiences little or no romantic attraction. Aromantic people may still form deep emotional connections, have partners or choose committed relationships.

Romantic and sexual attraction are not always the same. Someone can, for example, be aromantic and bisexual or asexual and homoromantic.

Queer

An umbrella term used by some people whose sexuality or gender does not fit heterosexual or cisgender expectations. It can also describe the wider community, as in “queer culture.”

Queer was historically used as an insult and is still uncomfortable for some people. Do not apply it to an individual unless you know they use it for themselves.

Questioning

A person who is exploring or uncertain about their sexual orientation, gender identity or both. Questioning is a valid experience, not merely an incomplete stage that must end with a permanent label.

Sexual orientation

A pattern of sexual or emotional attraction to people of particular genders—or an absence of sexual attraction. Sexual orientation can include lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual and other identities.

Romantic orientation

A term describing the genders, if any, towards whom a person experiences romantic attraction. Someone’s romantic orientation and sexual orientation may not be identical.

Terms often used by queer women

Sapphic

An inclusive term describing attraction between women. It can include lesbians, bisexual women, pansexual women and some non-binary people.

The word comes from Sappho, an ancient Greek poet from the island of Lesbos whose writing included love and desire between women.

WLW

An abbreviation for women loving women. It can describe women who experience romantic or sexual attraction to other women, regardless of whether they identify as lesbian, bisexual, pansexual or queer.

WLW is useful as a broad descriptive term, but it should not replace someone’s more specific identity.

Compulsory heterosexuality

Often shortened to comphet, compulsory heterosexuality describes social pressure that treats heterosexuality as the expected or default experience.

A queer woman experiencing comphet might assume that she must be attracted to men, mistake admiration or anxiety for attraction, or pursue heterosexual relationships because that is what she has been taught to expect.

Comphet is a framework for understanding social pressure—not a diagnosis or a checklist that can determine someone’s sexuality.

Butch

An identity or form of gender expression associated with masculinity, particularly within lesbian and queer communities. Butch can carry important personal, cultural and historical meaning.

It should not automatically be treated as another word for masculine-looking.

Femme

An identity or gender expression associated with femininity in LGBTQ+ communities. Femme has particular roots and meanings within lesbian, bisexual and queer culture.

A femme person’s queerness is not less real because others may assume they are straight.

Gold star lesbian

A label sometimes used for a lesbian who has never had sex with a man. Many people consider the term exclusionary because it can reinforce harmful ideas about purity, invalidate late-blooming lesbians and be used against bisexual or trans people.

Nobody’s sexual history makes them a more or less legitimate lesbian.

Gender identity and expression

Gender identity

A person’s internal understanding of their gender. Someone may identify as a woman, man, non-binary person, agender person or another gender.

Gender identity may or may not correspond with the sex a person was assigned at birth.

Gender expression

How someone presents or communicates gender through clothing, hairstyle, voice, behaviour or other characteristics.

Gender expression does not automatically reveal a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation. A masculine woman is not necessarily a lesbian, and a feminine man is not necessarily gay.

Cisgender

A cisgender—or cis—person has a gender identity that corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth.

For example, someone assigned female at birth who identifies as a woman may describe herself as cisgender.

Transgender

A transgender—or trans—person has a gender identity that differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Trans is an adjective, not a separate gender. A trans woman is a woman, and a trans man is a man. Some non-binary people identify as trans, while others do not.

Non-binary

An umbrella term for people whose gender does not fit exclusively within the categories of woman or man.

A non-binary person may identify with multiple genders, with no gender or with a gender that changes over time. Non-binary people can use any pronouns and may have any sexual orientation.

Genderfluid

A person whose experience of gender changes over time. These changes may happen across days, months or longer periods and do not necessarily follow a predictable pattern.

Agender

A person who identifies as having no gender, a neutral gender or a relationship with gender that is difficult to describe through conventional categories.

Gender non-conforming

A person whose appearance or behaviour does not match conventional expectations associated with their gender.

Gender non-conformity is about expression, not automatically identity. Both cisgender and transgender people can be gender non-conforming.

Intersex

An umbrella term for people born with sex characteristics—including chromosomes, hormones, reproductive anatomy or genitals—that do not fit typical definitions of female or male bodies.

Intersex is not a sexual orientation or gender identity. Intersex people can have any gender and any sexual orientation.

Sex assigned at birth

The sex recorded for a person at birth, usually based on visible anatomy. The abbreviations AFAB and AMAB mean “assigned female at birth” and “assigned male at birth.”

These terms may be relevant in some medical or personal contexts, but they should not be used to reduce a person to their birth assignment.

Pronouns and respectful language

Pronouns

Words used to refer to someone without repeating their name. Common pronouns include she/her, he/him and they/them.

Pronouns do not always indicate gender. The respectful approach is to use the pronouns a person tells you they use.

Misgendering

Referring to someone using language, pronouns or a gender that does not reflect who they are.

Mistakes can happen. Correct yourself briefly, apologise if appropriate and continue. A long performance of guilt usually places additional pressure on the person who was misgendered.

Deadname

A former name that a transgender or non-binary person no longer uses. Calling someone by that name without their permission is known as deadnaming.

A person’s former name should not be shared simply because it appears in an old record or was previously known to you.

Gender-neutral language

Words that avoid unnecessarily assuming someone’s gender. Examples include partner instead of boyfriend or girlfriend, parent instead of mother or father, and everyone instead of ladies and gentlemen.

Gender-neutral language does not prevent people from using specific gendered words for themselves.

Transition-related terms

Transition

The personal process through which someone begins living in a way that better reflects their gender identity.

Transition may involve social changes, such as using a new name or pronouns; legal changes, such as updating documents; or medical care. There is no required transition pathway, and not every trans person wants or can access the same steps.

Gender dysphoria

Distress or discomfort that some people experience when their body, social treatment or assigned sex does not align with their gender identity.

Not every trans or non-binary person experiences dysphoria.

Gender euphoria

A feeling of comfort, joy or affirmation connected to being recognised and able to express one’s gender. It might come from clothing, a name, pronouns, physical changes or being seen accurately by others.

Gender-affirming care

Support that respects and affirms a person’s gender. Depending on the person and context, it may include social support, mental healthcare, primary care, hormone treatment or surgery.

Not every trans person needs or wants every form of gender-affirming care.

Community and relationships

Ally

Someone who actively supports LGBTQ+ people and challenges discrimination without claiming an identity that is not theirs.

Allyship is demonstrated through actions. It is not a title someone earns permanently after attending one Pride parade and buying a rainbow tote bag.

Coming out

The process of sharing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity with another person.

Coming out may happen repeatedly in different situations. Nobody is obligated to come out, particularly when disclosure could put their safety, housing, relationships or employment at risk.

Outing

Revealing someone’s LGBTQ+ identity without their permission. Outing can cause emotional, social, professional or physical harm and should never be treated as harmless gossip.

Chosen family

People who deliberately build supportive, family-like relationships, regardless of biological or legal connection.

Chosen family has particular importance in LGBTQ+ communities, where some people experience rejection or distance from their families of origin.

Rainbow family

A broad term that can describe families with LGBTQ+ parents, LGBTQ+ children or multiple queer family members. People may also use it more generally for families connected to the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride

Pride can refer to confidence in one’s LGBTQ+ identity, the broader movement for LGBTQ+ equality or the events held to celebrate community and commemorate resistance.

Modern Pride is connected to a long history of protest against criminalisation, police violence and discrimination.

Safe space

An environment intended to reduce discrimination and allow marginalised people to participate openly.

No space can guarantee complete safety. A more accurate approach is to create safer spaces with clear rules, accountable moderation and meaningful responses to harm.

Intersectionality

A framework for understanding how different aspects of identity and systems of inequality interact.

A queer woman’s experiences may also be shaped by race, disability, class, religion, age, migration status or other factors. These parts of someone’s life cannot always be separated neatly.

Language changes—and listening matters

No glossary can capture every LGBTQ+ identity or every cultural difference. Terms may carry different meanings between countries, generations and communities. Some people strongly embrace labels, while others avoid them.

Organisations including GLAAD, PFLAG and Stonewall maintain more extensive glossaries and regularly review inclusive terminology.

The most important principle is not knowing every word. It is respecting how people describe themselves.

If you make a mistake, correct it without turning the moment into a courtroom drama. Listen, learn and keep going.

Frequently asked questions

What does the plus sign in LGBTQ+ mean?

The plus sign includes identities not individually represented by the letters LGBTQ, such as asexual, aromantic, pansexual, intersex, non-binary and many others.

Is queer an offensive word?

Queer was historically used as an insult and can still be hurtful to some people. Many LGBTQ+ people have reclaimed it as a positive personal or community identity. Use it for an individual only if they identify that way.

What is the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Sexual orientation describes attraction. Gender identity describes a person’s internal understanding of their gender. They are separate aspects of identity.

Can a non-binary person be a lesbian?

Yes. Some non-binary people feel connected to lesbian identity, community and experiences. Identity labels do not always fit into rigid gender categories.

Is bisexuality limited to two genders?

No. Bisexuality is widely understood as the potential for attraction to more than one gender. It does not exclude trans or non-binary people.

What should I do if I use the wrong pronoun?

Correct yourself briefly and continue. If appropriate, offer a simple apology. Focus on using the correct pronoun in the future rather than asking the other person to comfort you.

Terminology last reviewed: 19 July 2026. Language continues to evolve, and individual preferences should always take priority.