LGBTQ Terms Questions and Answers 2023

LGBTQ Terms Questions and Answers 2023 Ally any heterosexual person who opposes heterosexism and homophobia and actively supports LGBT individuals and causes. Bisexual a person who has significant romantic, emotional, physical, and sexual attractions to members of both sexes. The frequency, intensity, or quality of attraction is not necessarily directed toward both sexes equally. Cisgender a term used to describe those who are not transgender, having a gender identity or performing in gender roles that society considers appropriate for one's sex. Coming out coming to terms with one's sexual or gender identity. Can also mean stating openly that one is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. The term is usually applied to members of the LGBT community, but heterosexual people can experience of coming to terms with their sexual orientation and/or their identity as an ally. FTM female-to-male. Indicates a transgender individual who was originally assigned to the gender of female at conception, but has claimed a male identity through clothing, surgery, or attitude changes. Gay a man whose primary romantic, emotional, physical, and sexual attractions are to other men. This term can also be used to apply to lesbians, bisexuals, and on some occasions, be used as an umbrella term for all LGBT people. Gender identity How one thinks of one's own gender. This conviction is not entirely contingent upon the individual's biological gender/sex. Genderqueer a rejection of the gender binary (male/female) in favor of a more fluid, nontraditional identity. Heterosexism The system of oppression that reinforces the belief in the inherent superiority of heterosexuality and heterosexual relationships, thereby negating gays, lesbians, and bisexuals and their lives and relationships Heterosexual a person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted or committed to members of the opposite sex. Heterosexual privilege The societal assumption and norm that all people are heterosexual. The basic civil rights and social privileges that a heterosexual person automatically receives, that are systematically denied to gay, lesbian, or bisexual persons, simply because of their sexual orientation. Hir a non-gendered pronoun used by some transgender people. Hir (pronounced "here") corresponds to his, her, and him, and us used as a dative and possessive pronoun. Homophobia negative feelings, attitudes, actions, or behaviors towards anyone who is lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or perceived to idenfity as any of the above. Internalized homophobia is a fear of same-sex tendencies within oneself and can lead to repression. Institutionalized homophobia refers to homophobic laws, policies, and positions taken by social and governmental institutions. Homosexuality defines attraction to the same sex, and is one orientation on the continuum from homosexual to bisexual to heterosexual. Many prefer the terms "gay", "lesbian", or "bisexual" to describe their identities. Lesbian a woman whose primary romantic, emotional, physical and sexual attractions are to other women. LGBT the acronym for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender". The acronym may be expanded to a variation of LGBTIQA to intersex, questioning, queer-identified people and/or allies. Can be also used as an adjective ("I am an LGBT person.") MTF male-to-female. Indicates a transgender individual who was originally assigned the gender of male at conception, but has claimed a female identity though clothing, surgery, or attitude changes. Queer not heterosexual. Originally used with negative connotations, but is currently being reclaimed by many within the LGBT community. Sex An act, series of acts, that humans do as part of the expression of their sexual nature and their desire for love and affection. Or the identification of biological gender. Sexual orientation how one things of oneself in terms of to whom one is sexually or romantically attracted. Orientation is not dependent on physical experience, but rather on a person's feelings and attractions. Transgender used both as an umbrella term and as an identity. Broadly, it refers to those who do not identify or are uncomfortable with their assigned gender and gender roles. As an identity the term refers to anyone who transgresses traditional sex and gender categories. Transsexual people who feel that their gender identity is something other than their biological sex. Some transsexuals choose to use hormones and/or have an operation to change their physical anatomy to be congruent with their self-perception.