From Triangle Foundation — www.tri.org
Terms
Definitions and explanations of terms commonly used (and misused) within and about the GLBT community
Sexual Orientation: A person's physical or sexual attraction to someone of a particular sex. Sexual Orientation is the proper scientific, social, and legal term. (Includes: heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual)
Sexual Behavior: What we do sexually and with whom. Most people pursue sexual behavior with a person(s) that they are attracted to. Sexual behavior is not always an accurate indicator of sexual orientation.
Sexual Preference: Indicates feelings that are more fluid and changing than orientation. Preference can be for tall, short, blonde or other traits of a partner or practice. Avoid this term. See "sexual orientation".
Gender Identity: A person's deepest most innate sense of maleness or femaleness.
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual: Someone who predominantly or entirely has a physical or sexual attraction to the opposite sex.
Homosexual: Someone who predominantly or entirely has a physical or sexual attraction to the same sex.
Bisexual: Someone who has a physical or sexual attraction to both sexes.
Gay: Preferred term for homosexual. Can apply to men and women, mostly men.
Lesbian: Preferred term for homosexual woman. Can only apply to women.
Gender Identity
Biological Sex: Your assignment usually at birth as either male or female based on biological appearance or genetic makeup (e.g. XY chromosome = male, XX chromosome = female)
Gender: Gender is a social construct and is largely artificial. It is a person's sense of being male or female based on their behavior or how they express what many consider to be "male" or "female" traits.
Masculinity/Femininity: Sex role stereotypes, that differ in each culture and get arbitrarily assigned to men and women
Transgender
Transgender: Umbrella term for all gender variant people including those whose physical sex is different from their gender identity
Transvestite: (Cross dresser) Someone who wears clothing that is typically worn by the opposite sex. This may happen for simple comfort or sexual purposes. Most transvestites are heterosexual.
Transsexual: A person who takes some measure to physically alter their sex to be more like the opposite sex. This may include hormones, implants, surgery, etc.
Drag: Dressing as the opposite sex predominantly for performance. Drag is an exaggeration of gender and not part of transgender. Drag is a popular form of entertainment or costume.
Intersex: Person born with a body not clearly male or female. May be caused by any of several dozen medical conditions, including genetic or chromosomal anomalies which interfere with sexual differentiation during gestation. Preferred over "Hermaphrodite".
Prejudice
Homophobia: Fear or hatred of homosexuals or homosexuality
Biphobia: Fear or hatred of bisexuals or bisexuality
Transphobia: Fear or hatred of transsexuals or transsexualism
Heterosexism: Promoting heterosexuality as superior or assuming that all people are heterosexual
"In the Closet": Being secretive about one's sexual orientation or gender identity
"Coming Out": A process of identifying first to oneself, then to others, one's sexual orientation or gender identity
Transition: The process of altering one's sex. Includes physical acts but also can include changing legal documents
GID: Gender Identity Disorder - A controversial DSM-IV diagnosis given to transgender or other gender-variant people. Because this term labels people as "disordered" it is considered offensive. Usually given to children who don't obey expected gender expression. Replaces the outdated term "gender dysphoria".
SRS: Sex Reassignment Surgery refers to genital alteration, and is only one part of transition. Not all transsexuals choose or can afford SRS. This is a preferred term to "sex change operation".
Legal Terms
Sodomy Laws: Laws that prohibit consensual, adult, private, non-commercial sex. In Michigan it refers to anal sex with either a man or a woman even within marriage. Used mostly against gays and lesbians.
Civil Union: Formal recognition of committed same-sex relationships only recognized by the State of Vermont. Similar to, but not the same as, marriage. Civil Unions confer many of the same rights, benefits, and privileges enjoyed by opposite-sex marriages such as estate planning or medical decisions.
Domestic Partnership: A civil or legal contract recognizing a partnership or a relationship between two people which confers limited benefits to them by their employer.
Gay Panic Defense: Justification for assault/murder of a homosexual because they allegedly made a sexual advance on the assailant. Assailant alleges the advance felt threatening.
Other Terms
"Ex-Gay": A person who once identified as a homosexual but now says they are not pursuing sexual relationships with people of the same-sex. Most "ex-gays" went through "reparative therapy" or "transformation ministries" to change their sexual orientation. Few say their homosexual attraction is gone. Most of the mental health and religious establishment opposes "reparative therapy".
Queer: Traditionally a pejorative term for homosexual or bisexuals, this term has been appropriated by some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people to describe themselves. Some value the term because of its defiance and inclusiveness. Avoid term unless intent is clearly not offensive.
Note: Thanks to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Indianapolis Youth Group (IYG), National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC), and Kevin Berrill, Felice Yeskel, Ph.D., Gregory Herek, Ph.D., and Ann Heler