LGBTQIA+ Resource

AGENDER- A person who does not identify with or conform to any gender

ALLY- A person who helps to advocate for a particular group of people (i.e., transgender or LGBTQ people). Allies may help build more supportive climates and are knowledgeable about issues of concern.

ASEXUAL- A term that describes a person who does not experience sexual attraction. This is a self-identity. ASSIGNED GENDER- The gender that is given to an infant based on the infant’s external genitals. This may or may not match the person’s gender identity in adulthood.

BIGENDER- A term that describes those who feel they have two genders. They may move between having a masculine and a feminine-based appearance or change their behavior depending on their feelings, location, or situation.

BISEXUAL (bi)- A self-identity used by some people who are sexually/erotically or emotionally attracted to men and women. Some people prefer the term pansexual because it opens the possibilities for attraction to more than two genders.

BOI- A self-identity used by various groups of (usually young) people, including some trans men, some gay men (often in “daddy boi” relationships), and some lesbians who identify as young, carefree, and sexually explorative.

BOTTOM SURGERY- A term that refers to surgeries performed to alter the genitals or internal reproductive organs. These may include vaginoplasties, metoidioplasties, phalloplasties, or other procedures.

BUTCH- A term that describes a person who appears and/or acts in a masculine manner- in accordance with that person’s culture. Often used to describe lesbians. In the past, lesbian relationships were often set up as butch (masculine) and femme (feminine). Butch can be a self-identity, but it can also be used to speak about someone in an insulting way if this is not how the person identifies.

 CISGENDER (cis)- A person whose gender identity matches their gender assigned at birth. (non-transgender) Often preferred over terms such as “biological” or “natal” man or woman.

CISSEXISM- A system of bias in favor of cisgender people, in which people whose gender identities do not match their assigned genders are considered inferior

CROSS-DRESS- When someone wears the clothes typically worn by another gender, sometimes only in their own home, or as part of sexual play, and sometimes at public functions.

DRAG- The act of dressing in gendered clothing and adopting gendered behaviors as part of a performance. Some perform in drag for entertainment, and other as a political commentary, or for personal enjoyment.

FEMME- Traditionally refers to the feminine partner in a butch- femme lesbian relationship. Now a self-identity used by some people who see themselves as feminine.

GENDER-AFFIRMING SURGERY (GAS)- Surgical procedures that help us adjust our bodies in a way that more closely matches our desired gender identity. Not every transgender person desires surgery.

GENDER BINARY- The concept that there are only two genders, male and female, and that everyone has to be either one or the other.

GENDER DYSPHORIA– A mental health diagnosis that is defines as a “marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender.” Replaces gender identity disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM-5)

GENDER EXPRESSION- Refers to an individual’s physical characteristics, behaviors, and presentation. This includes one’s appearance, dress, mannerisms, speech patterns, and social interactions that are linked, traditionally, to masculinity or femininity.

GENDER FLUID- Someone who embodies characteristics of multiple genders, or shifts in gender identity.

GENDER IDENTITY- Our way of understanding our inner sense of being male, female, both, or neither. Sometimes clashes with the way other people view us physically.

GENDERQUEER- A term that is sometimes used to describe someone who defines their gender outside the constructs of male and female. This can include having no gender, being androgynous, or having elements of multiple genders.

HETERONORMATIVITY- The worldview or assumption that heterosexuality is the norm.

INTERSEX- A general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of female or male. Not everyone who has one of these conditions identifies as intersex.

NONBINARY- a gender that is neither strictly male nor strictly female

PACKING- Putting things in the crotch of the pants to create the outward appearance of a penis and testicles.

PANSEXUAL- An identity term for those who are attracted to people of many different genders

PASSING- When a person can appear in public as their affirmed gender an not be identified as transgender. Also known as being read correctly. The term pass can be problematic because it suggests a level of secrecy and implies that trans people are responsible for dressing or behaving in certain ways so that other people will gender them correctly. Many people desire to pass in order to be treated as the gender with which they identify or to avoid discrimination or violence. The ability to pass can sometimes be used within trans communities to create artificial divisions between people

QUEER- A term that was historically used as a slur against LGBTQ communities. Has more recently been reclaimed by some people, although others are uncomfortable with its use. Can imply a transgressive stance towards sexuality and the gender binary.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION- Refers to the kinds of people to which we are attracted. Typically used to describe the sexes or genders of those people.

STEALTH- A term used to describe transgender individuals who do not disclose their trans status in their public lives

TOP SURGERY- surgeries performed on the chest

TRANSGENDER/TRANS- An umbrella term that may be used to describe people whose gender expression does not conform to cultural norms and/or whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth. Transgender is a self-identity, and some gender nonconforming people do not identity with this term.

TRANS-MISOGYNY- A term coined by trans activist Julia Serano, which describes a form of misogyny (hatred of women) specifically directed at trans women.

TRANSEXUAL- A term often used to describe those who have undergone some form of gender-related surgery. Some people who identify as transsexual do not identify as transgender and vice versa.

TRANSITION- The process one goes through to discover and/or affirm their gender identity. This can, but does not always, include taking hormones, having surgeries, or going through therapy.

TRANSPHOBIA- Fear, hatred, or discrimination toward transgender and gender nonconforming people 

TRANS MAN- Transgender person who identifies as a man 

TRANS WOMEN- Transgender person who identifies as a women 

TWO-SPIRIT- A self-identity adopted by some indigenous North Americans who take on a multitude of gender roles, identities, and expressions. Those who identify as Two-Spirit often see themselves as embodying both masculine and feminine spirits and characteristics.

Reference:

Erickson-Schroth, L. (2014). Trans bodies, trans selves: A resource for the transgender community.

What is a “Pronoun”?

Pronouns are the words that replace a person’s name in a sentence and are generally used to refer to people when they are not present. Pronouns are gendered and it’s important to use the correct pronoun when referring to people to validate their gender experience.

Why focus on pronouns?

You may have noticed that people are sharing their pronouns in introductions, on name tags, and at meetings. This is happening to make spaces more inclusive of people who are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Sharing pronouns is a step toward respecting people’s gender identities and creating a more welcoming space for all.

What are some examples of Pronouns?

Gender pronouns can look like the following but are not limited to:

• He/ Him/ His
  Phonetics: /hi/ /hɪm/ /hɪz/
• She/ Her/ Hers
  Phonetics: /ʃi/ /hɜr/ /hɜrz/
• They/ Them/ Theirs
  Phonetics: /ðeɪ/ /ðem/ /ðerz/
• Ze/ Zir/ Zirs
  Phonetics: /zi/ /zɜr/ /zɜrz/

Some individuals may use multiple different pronouns or none of these pronouns.

“They” vs “She/He”

Singular They: They can be used as a singular pronoun and has been used in literature for someone whose gender is unknown for centuries. The use of “they” as a pronoun for people who identify as nonbinary is relatively new for the word but is within the bounds of its appropriate usage.

Why was “they” adopted as a singular pronoun? In the 17th century, English laws concerning inheritance sometimes referred to people who didn’t fit a gender binary using the pronoun “it,” which, while it can be seen as dehumanizing, was conceived of as being the most grammatically fit answer to gendered pronouns around then. Adopting the already singular “they” is vastly preferable. Today, one would use “they” when unsure of another’s pronouns.

Examples 

• Someone left their phone in the cafeteria, I hope they find it.
• I wonder when the mail person is going to get here, she usually delivers my packages at 3 o’clock.
• This is my friend James, I met him at work.

Want to get everyone’s pronouns right in everyday life? Follow these steps:

1. Offer your pronouns when introducing yourself to a person.
2. Ask for the person’s pronouns in a setting that does not put them on the spot.
3. Respect, remember, and use their pronouns just as you would with their name.

Got someone’s pronouns wrong? Here’s how you may want to handle the situation:

1. Apologize and own up to your mistake. Correct yourself stating the right pronouns.
2. Understand that your impact is different from your intent. You may not have wanted to hurt the person, but the person still has the right to be upset.
3. Commit to changing your behavior and doing better next time. Remembering pronouns is like remembering names–it’s a sign of respect.
4. Be patient as you learn to use new terms and pronouns. It gets easier with practice. This resource shares additional tips.