2SLGBTQ+ Glossary
Agender – A person who identifies as having no gender or as outside of gender.
Ally – A person who defends the cause and the rights of a marginalized community to which they do not belong and that is recognized as such by the members of the community in question.
Aromantic – A person who does not have a romantic attraction towards anyone. It’s important to understand that romantic attraction is different from sexual attraction, and this can be considered a spectrum that fluctuates over time.
Androgynous – Referring to a person whose sex cannot easily be determined by gender expression.
Asexual – A person who experiences sexual attraction and/or a desire for sex to a lesser degree than most people.
Bias/Prejudice – Bias and prejudice, or simply ignorance, can lead to isolation, vulnerability, disadvantages and discrimination at school, at work, in stores and in other public settings, or even where people live. For example, not being hired for a front-facing role because one’s gender expression does not conform to gender stereotypes.
Binary – The view that there are only two totally distinct, opposite and static genders and sexes (masculine/feminine, male/female) to identify with and/or express. While many societies currently view gender and/or sex through this lens and consider it to be universal, a number of societies recognize more than two genders and/or sexes. Across all societies, there are also many people who experience gender and/or sex fluidly, identifying with different genders and/or sexes at different times.
Biphobia – The term biphobia exists under the definition of homophobia, however, it stands alone for the reason that bisexual people face harassment and discrimination from people outside of the LGBT community as well as people who identify as lesbian and gay. It is possible to be biphobic without being homophobic. For example, when people who are lesbian or gay say, “people just say they’re bi to appear cool” or “They’re just confused or lying” they are perpetuating biphobic stereotypes.
Bisexual – A person who is attracted to people who are the same sex as them and people who are different than them. Note: people commonly refer to bisexual as “attraction to both sexes,” but this is incorrect, as there are more than two sexes.
Cisgender – A person who identifies as the sex and/ or gender they were assigned at birth. “Cis-” is a Latin prefix meaning “on the same side [as]” or “on this side [of].”
Cisnormativity – Refers to the commonplace assumption that all people are “cisgender” (not trans). In other words, their gender identity is in line with or “matches” the sex they were assigned at birth, and everyone accepts this as the “norm.” The term is used to describe stereotypes, negative attitudes and prejudice towards trans people that are more widespread or systemic in society and its institutions. The form of prejudice may even be unintentional and unrecognized by the person or organization responsible, making it all the more entrenched and difficult to address.
Coming Out – Also “coming out of the closet,” is a process of becoming aware of one’s queer sexual orientation, one’s two-spirit or trans identity, accepting it, and telling others about it. This is an ongoing process that may not include everybody in all aspects of one’s life. “Coming out” usually occurs in stages and an individual may be “out” in only some situations or to only certain others.
Drag – Refers to people who dress in a showy or flamboyant way that exaggerates gendered stereotypes. ‘Drag’ is a term that is often associated with gay/lesbian communities and is often replaced with ‘Drag King’ and ‘Drag Queen.’ Drag may be performed as a political comment on gender, as parody, or simply as entertainment. Drag performance does not indicate sexuality, gender identity, or sex identity.
Drag King – Typically a woman who temporarily dresses in men’s clothing and acts with exaggerated masculinity, generally during a performance. As is always the case with cross-dressing, dressing as a drag king is not an indication of the person’s sexual orientation nor of their gender identity.
Drag Queen – Typically a man who temporarily dresses in women’s clothing and acts with exaggerated femininity, generally during a performance. As is always the case with cross-dressing, dressing as a drag queen is neither an indication of the person’s sexual orientation, nor of their gender identity.
Dyadic – People who are assigned a sex that fits the rigid, medical definition of “male” or “female.” This term is rare, but generally used to express that a person is non-intersex. Because intersex people and dyadic (non-intersex) people are generally assigned as male or female, making not of this distinction is considered important.
FTM (Female to Male) – A person who transitions from “female-to-male,” meaning a person who was assigned female at birth, but identifies and lives as a male. Also known as a “transgender man.”
FEMME – A lesbian who is notably feminine in appearance.
Gay – A self-identified man who is romantically/sexually attracted to or involved with other self-identified men; also has been used as an umbrella term for everyone who has same-sex romantic/sexual attractions or relations, particularly in mainstream media. ‘Gay’ can be used to talk about both men and women or more generally, the “gay community”, but it commonly refers to men. While ‘gay’ is often used as an umbrella term for those who have same-sex romantic/sexual attractions or relations, some individuals within the lesbian community oppose its use in this way.
Gender Expression – How a person presents their gender to others, often through behaviour, clothing, hairstyle, voice or body characteristics.
Gender Identity – An individual’s internal sense of self in the context of gender. Some gender identities include: woman, man, genderqueer, genderfluid, non-binary, etc. Gender is an internal identity construct and is not necessarily visible or obvious to others. Note: the term “gender identity” is often used when discussing trans people, whereas the term “gender” is often used when speaking about cisgender people. Gender is always an identity and therefore the term “gender identity” is somewhat redundant. However, the term is used in Canadian legislation and therefore is used in this document.
Gender Fluid – Gender fluidity conveys a wider more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression. Gender fluid people reject common restrictive boundaries of gender identity and expression as well as stereotypical expectations of masculinity and femininity as static.
Gender Roles – The socially and culturally constructed and specific behaviours such as communication styles, careers, family roles, and more that are imposed on people based on their biological sex assigned at birth.
Heterosexual – Someone who is attracted to people of a different sex – in other words, women who like men or men who like women. The term “straight” is also used.
Heterosexism – The belief in the inherent superiority of heterosexuality and thereby, its right to the dominance. Carries with it the assumption that everyone meets is heterosexual.
Homophobia – The irrational fear of and/or aversion to homosexuality or homosexuals; the irrational fear and/or aversion to lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
Homosexual – A person who is attracted to people of the same sex – in other words women who like women or men who like men. The term “gay” and “lesbian” are also used.
Intersectionality – A theory coined by Kimberle Crenshaw in the 1980s to draw attention to how different systems of oppressive structures and types of discrimination interact and manifest in the lives of minorities.
Intersex – A person who is assigned a sex that involves reproductive or sexual anatomy and/or chromosome patterns that do not seem to fit rigid medical definitions of “male” or “female”. Intersex conditions are also known as differences of sex development (DSD). Intersex persons are often subject to surgical intervention at birth (with or without the parental consent or knowledge). “Intersex” has replaced the term “hermaphrodite,” which is widely considered outdated, inaccurate and offensive. An intersex individual may or may not identify as part of the trans community; however, the terms “intersex” and “trans” are distinct and should not be used interchangeably.
Lesbian – A self-identified woman who is physically and emotionally attracted to other self-identified women. This word is derived from “Lesbos”, a Greek island home to Sappho, a poet and teacher who loved other women.
LGBTQQIP2SAA+ – The acronym LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (Transgender, Transsexual, Trans-Identified, Genderqueer, Non-Binary), Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Androgynous and Asexual). A plus sign (+) is added to the end in respect of the infinite variety of identities outside of, or not represented by this acronym.
MTF (Male to Female) – A person who transitions from “male-to-female,” meaning a person who was assigned male at birth, but identifies and lives as a female. Also known as a “transgender woman.”
Monosexism – The idea that someone is either exclusively, heterosexual or homosexual.
Monosexual – A monosexual is someone who is sexually attracted to one sex (or gender) only, monosexuality being the corresponding sexual orientation. A monosexual can be either heterosexual or homosexual.
Non-binary – A person who describes themselves as fitting outside of the “man” and “woman” categories in our society. Non-binary people can identify in multiple ways such as genderqueer, bigender, agender, or simply non-binary.
Pansexual – Someone who is attracted to people of all genders. “Pan-” is a Latin prefix meaning “all.” “Pansexuality” is a term evolved from the history of “bisexuality,” where some individuals wanted a term that specifically included people of all genders and sexes. This term is often used by those who wish to include their attraction towards trans and intersex people.
Partner – A term used to refer to a romantic partner. This term is often used to promote inclusivity, to make those with non-heterosexual orientations feel safer, and to raise awareness that there is still much progress to be made in regards to heteronormative assumptions. For example, if you are talking to a man, by saying “how long have you been with your partner?” rather than “how long have you been with your girlfriend?” you avoid the heteronormative assumption that this man would engage in a relationship with a woman. If the person happens to identify as straight, then no harm is done by using “partner”. However, if the man happens to identify as gay, by using “girlfriend” you may make them feel uncomfortable.
Polyamorous – The practice, desire, or acceptance of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.
Privilege – Refers to structural social, economic and political advantages or rights held by people from some majority groups on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, social class, etc. For example, cisgender men often experience privilege that people of other genders and sexes do not.
QTIPOC – Queer and Trans people who are also Indigenous and People of Colour. Queer: An umbrella term for a social/intellectual/political movement that seeks to encompass a broad range of sexual identities, behaviours, and expressions.
Queer – An umbrella term that seeks to encompass a broad range of identities, behaviours, and expressions. It is also a personal identity that has been reclaimed because “queer” has been historically used as an inflammatory term. However, not all individuals feel the same way about the re-appropriation if this term and some individuals are still uncomfortable with it. Sometimes it is used as a short form that includes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and transgender people. Not all trans people see trans identities as being part of the term “queer”.
Questioning – The questioning of one’s gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, or all three is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, and concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons. The letter “Q”, referring to either queer or questioning, is sometimes added to the end of the acronym LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender).
Sex Reassignment Surgery – Surgical procedures that change one’s body to better reflect a person’s gender identity. This may include different procedures, including those sometimes also referred to as “top surgery” (breast augmentation or removal) or “bottom surgery” (altering genitals). Contrary to popular belief, there is not one surgery; in fact there are many different surgeries. These surgeries are medically necessary for some people, however not all people want, need, or can have surgery as part of their transition. “Sex change surgery” is considered a derogatory term by many.
Sexual Orientation – A term describing a person’s attraction to members of the same sex and/or a different sex, usually defined as lesbian, gay, bisexual, heterosexual, or asexual.
SOGI – An acronym that stands for Sexual Orientations and Gender Identities; often used in institutional settings.
Stereotyping – When stereotyping happens, assumptions are made and the real person is not revealed; therefore their potential is often not encouraged or seen. For example, assuming that someone will be a “better fit” for a position or set of tasks simply because of their gender. Or the failure to consider someone for a leadership because of personal attributes stereotypically associated with their gender.
Trans, Transgender or Trans-Identified – A person who identifies as a gender different from the sex and/or gender they were assigned at birth. “Trans-” is a Latin prefix meaning “across.” Being transgender should be understood as a relationship to one’s gender rather than an actual gender. For example, a person’s gender is not “trans woman”: their gender is “woman” but their relationship to womanhood is “trans.” “Transgender”. Is a broad term and “trans” is shorthand for “transgender.” “Transgender” is correctly used as an adjective, not a noun. Thus, “transgender people” is appropriate but “transgenders” is disrespectful. Transgender individuals may or may not use binary language (man, woman) depending on how they identify.
Transition – The time when a person begins to live as the gender with which they identify rather than the gender they were assigned at birth, which often includes changing one’s first name and dressing and grooming differently. Transitioning may or may not also include medical and legal aspects, including taking hormones, having surgery, or changing identity documents (e.g. driver’s license, legal name change) to reflect one’s gender identity. Medical and legal steps are often difficult for people to afford.
Transphobia – The aversion to, fear, hatred or intolerance of trans people and communities. Like other prejudices, it is based on stereotypes and misconceptions that are used to justify discrimination, harassment, and violence towards trans people.
Transsexual – An outdated and pejorative term that should not be used. It was used to describe people whose gender was different from their assigned at birth. The term was generally used to describe those who seek to undergo medical or surgical intervention to change their sexed bodies. The term is considered overly clinical and overly sexualizes trans people.
Two Spirit – A contemporary English term that was coined in a 1990 gathering in Winnipeg, Manitoba, of Indigenous LGBTQ2+ people who found that the mainstream terms (lesbian, gay, trans, etc.) were not reflective of the unique ways of being and existing that Indigenous LGBTQ+ people experienced. In many Indigenous languages, there are traditional ways of describing people who engage in same-gender relationships or who express gender differently, and some Indigenous theorists argue that the term “Two Spirit” is meant to try to explain this reality to non-Indigenous people. Generally, this term is used to express the spiritual relationship that an Indigenous person has with their sexuality and/or gendered experience. Not all Indigenous LGBTQ2+ people identify as Two Spirit. However, a person who is not Indigenous should not identify as Two Spirit.
Unlabelled – A political identification to resist the “boxing in” of identities; the term indicates fluidity and a limitless spectrum of gender, sex, and sexual orientation identifications.
Undecided – Someone who is undecided about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
ZE/ZIR/XE/XEM/XYRS – Gender-inclusive pronouns used to avoid relying on a gender binary-based linguistic system, or making assumptions about other people’s gender (HE/HER → ZE; HIS/HER → ZIR; THEY/THEM/THEIR → XE/XEM/XYRS). An example of these terms being used in a sentence: “Ze talked to zir partner about pronouns.” Some people instead choose to use plural pronouns such as “they” and “their,” or similar options. An example of this in a sentence: They talked to their partner about pronouns. Some use plural pronouns because ‘they’/‘their’ are more widely understood and able to be fluently used by most people. Others, such as omni-gender people, feel that plural pronouns are most representative of their having more than one gender.
Glossary Sources
Canadian Commission for UNESCO. (2019, June 27). LGBTQ2+ Inclusiveness Toolkit for Inclusive Municipalities in Canada and Beyond. Retrieved from https://en.ccunesco.ca/resources#
Pride at Work Canada. (2020, July). LGBT Workplace Inclusion Certificate. Retrieved From https://education.prideatwork.ca/certificate.html
“Terminology” The University of British Columbia: Positive Space Campaign. Retrieved from http://positivespace.ubc.ca/terminology https://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/publications/diversite-diversity-eng.html#c