Gay versus lesbian

Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, 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Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated?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: Question people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender individuality and gender utterance 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 lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support 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 display that lesbian, same-sex attracted and bisexual people are a growing part of UK society

The Office of National Statistics have revealed recent 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 recognizing as bisexual more than doubled from 2.8% to 7.5% between 2018 and 2023.

Responding to this new data, Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake said:

"The ONS statistics out today are a timely reminder that lesbian, lgbtq+ and bisexual (LGB) people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB new people than ever before. The more than one in ten of 16-24 year olds detecting as LGB will be a decisive part of our workplaces, politics and lives. They will have colleagues, friends and families who support them and they will be entitled to – and d

LGBTQIA Resource Center Glossary

GLOSSARY

The terms and definitions below are always evolving, changing and often represent 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.

These are not universal definitions. This glossary is provided to help 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 term, especially when they use it to illustrate their identity. Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a word for themselves.

“If I didn't specify 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 important to confess as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppress

Glossary of Terms

Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or phrase because it feels taboo, or because they’re nervous of saying the mistaken thing.

This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more relaxed. 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 LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the Diverse community who support each other (e.g., a queer woman 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 outing with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.

Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.

Bisexual |