Gay versus lesbian
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ collective organizations and leaders. Spot acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender phrase, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@glaad.org
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they exploit to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for female homosexual, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering back for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accuratel
New stats uncover that lesbian, male lover and bisexual people are a growing part of UK society
The Office of National Statistics have revealed modern stats about sexual orientation in the UK:
- Younger people were more likely to identify as LGB than older people. Among those aged 16 to 24 years, around 1 in 10 (10.4%) identified as LGB, compared with around 1 in 100 (0.9%) of people aged 65 years and over.
- An estimated 3.8% of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) in 2023, up from 2.2% in 2018.
- The proportion of people aged 16 to 24 years detecting as bisexual more than doubled from 2.8% to 7.5% between 2018 and 2023.
Read more stats here.
Responding to this new data, Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake said:
"The ONS statistics out today are a timely reminder that lesbian, same-sex attracted and bisexual (LGB) people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB youthful people than ever before. The more than one in ten of 16-24 year olds recognizing as LGB will be a essential part of our workplaces, politics and lives. They will have colleagues, friends and families who support them and they will merit – and d
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help provide people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable. LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A designation used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Homosexual people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ society who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual activity with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The phobia and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to facilitate give others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. You may even consider asking someone what they mean when they use a legal title, especially when they use it to describe their persona. Ultimately it is most important that each individual characterize themselves for themselves and therefore also define a legal title 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 key to acknowledge as part of our mission to disagree all forms of oppress
LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary
GLOSSARY
The terms and definitions below are always evolving, switching and often imply different things to different people. They are provided below as a starting point for discussion and understanding. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the early 2000s.