The Top 10 LGBTQ+ Terms and What They Mean

Our ability to stay informed and educated about a variety of topics, particularly those that are current and pertinent, is crucial in today’s society. In this case, in order to show respect, acceptance, and the will to understand them, let’s take a look at some common LGBTQ+ terms and what they mean. Did you already know the all?

LGBTQ+ Terms and What They Mean

1. Asexual 

Also referred to as “ace”, this is one of many sexual orientations. Being asexual means that they express little to no interest in sexual intimacy; rather, they lean toward emotional intimacy. 

2. Coming out

A process wherein an individual bravely shares their sexual orientation with the public. Coming out is not mandatory and not everyone should be forced to do it. It all boils down to the individual’s terms and what works best for them. 

This process may or may not bring them closer to their loved ones, so that puts them in a predicament. 

3. Ally 

People who support the LGBTQ+ community and acknowledge their rights are called allies. Allies also educate themselves on the problems that the LGBTQ+ community faces every day. 

Furthermore, allies encourage their friends and families to support the LGBTQ+ community as well. This is a sincere effort to make society a safe place for the community to live in. Through this humble yet bold act, the LGBTQ+ will have others who can stand up for them and fight alongside them when it comes to equality. 

4. Cisgender/cis

Cisgender is a type of gender identity in which a person agrees with their assigned gender at birth, which has been given by a doctor. A common misconception is that being cis is the same as being straight. However, there is a very clear difference. 

If an individual identifies themselves as cisgender, then it is possible for them to belong to the LGBTQ+ community. How so? Cis people may agree with their assigned gender at birth. This does not, however, imply that they are not attracted romantically to people who have different sexual orientations. 

5. Gender identity 

This involves how people view themselves and who they are as a person. Specifically, this often entails what gender they identify themselves with. Gender identity differs from sexual orientation as well. 

Being gender queer is not the same as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, etc. 

6. Sexual orientation 

In contrast to gender identity, sexual orientation focuses on who a person is attracted to in an emotional, sexual, and romantic manner. 

7. Pronoun 

This is how people refer to a person depending on the pronouns they associate themselves with. Pronouns are not bound by the gender identity of a person, so it is important to ask people what their pronouns are. 

Using the she/her and him/he pronouns are self explanatory, however, when it comes to they/them, it gets a bit confusing for some. They/them pronouns are used by people who do not know who they are. This pronoun is also used when people want to remove gendered pronouns in order to avoid offending someone in some way. 

Therefore, just because a person is non-binary and has feminine features doesn’t mean that their pronouns should be she/her. 

By doing so, it makes them aware of the fact that people value who they are in terms of their identity. 

8. Questioning 

This refers to individuals who are going through the process of figuring out who they are. It takes time to explore one’s gender identity, sexual orientation, and gender expression too. This means that during their exploration, they are not labeling themselves yet but acknowledging that they are different. 

9. Gender-fluid 

What this term means is people who change their gender expression or gender identity over time. It also refers to how flexible a person is when it comes to their gender expression and/or gender identity. 

Change varies from person to person, since some may solely change their gender expression, their gender identity, or even both at the same time. 

It is important to know the contrast between gender fluidity and sexual fluidity as well. The former refers to being flexible in changing one’s gender expression and/or gender identity. The latter determines how flexible one’s emotional, sexual, and romantic attraction to someone is. 

10. Chosen name

Like any other person, babies are born into this world with names given by their parents. As people grow up and mature, they begin to undergo changes. For some, these changes gradually mold them over time, possibly making them different from the person they were at birth. 

With that being said, the names they were initially given may not conform with the gender identity they identify with. That is when they decide to make a chosen name for themselves. 

By making a sincere effort to understand LGBTQ+ terms and what they mean we show solidarity to a community of human beings who work hard to have their voices heard and eliminate preconceptions at every turn.

The post The Top 10 LGBTQ+ Terms and What They Mean appeared first on The Village Voice.