A comprehensive glossary of current terms related to gender identity, sexual orientation, and the queer community. Language evolves, and respect means using the terms people choose for themselves.
Assigned Female At Birth / Assigned Male At Birth. Refers to the sex assignment given at birth based on physical characteristics.
Someone who does not identify with any gender, or identifies as having no gender.
A person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, even though they may not identify as LGBTQ+ themselves.
Having both masculine and feminine characteristics, or appearing neither distinctly masculine nor feminine.
Someone who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others.
Someone who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others. This is a spectrum and can include demisexual and grey-asexual identities.
Someone who identifies as two genders, either simultaneously or moving between them.
The classification of gender into two distinct, opposite forms: male and female. Many people's gender identities fall outside this binary.
The practice of flattening one's chest using a binder or other compression garment, often used by transmasculine people.
Someone who is attracted to people of more than one gender.
Gender-affirming genital surgery. This can include various procedures depending on the person's goals and identity.
Someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
When a person has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity to others.
The process of acknowledging and sharing one's sexual orientation or gender identity with others.
A trans person's name assigned at birth that they no longer use. Deadnaming is the act of using this old name, which is harmful and disrespectful.
A gender identity that is partially, but not fully, a particular gender (e.g., demiboy, demigirl).
Performance art where people dress in clothing and adopt personas associated with a different gender, often in an exaggerated style. Drag is a form of expression and entertainment, not an indicator of gender identity.
The distress or discomfort that may occur when a person's gender identity doesn't match their sex assigned at birth or their body.
Female-to-Male. A trans man or transmasculine person. Many prefer simply 'trans man' or 'man'.
Generally refers to men who are attracted to men, but can also be used as an umbrella term for anyone who is attracted to the same gender.
A social and cultural concept referring to the roles, behaviours, expressions, and identities that society considers appropriate for men, women, and gender-diverse people.
Medical, psychological, and social support that helps a person live according to their gender identity. May include therapy, hormones, surgery, or social transition.
How a person publicly presents their gender through clothing, behavior, voice, body characteristics, and more.
Someone whose gender identity shifts or fluctuates over time.
A person's internal sense of their own gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Someone whose gender expression doesn't conform to traditional expectations of their assigned gender.
Someone whose gender identity falls outside the traditional gender binary, or who rejects binary gender distinctions.
Medical treatment that introduces hormones (testosterone or estrogen) to help align a person's physical characteristics with their gender identity.
A person born with sex characteristics that don't fit typical definitions of male or female. This is a naturally occurring variation.
A woman who is attracted to women.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more. An inclusive umbrella term for diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.
Using incorrect pronouns, name, or gendered language for someone. This can be hurtful and invalidating.
Male-to-Female. A trans woman or transfeminine person. Many prefer simply 'trans woman' or 'woman'.
A non-binary gender identity characterized by neutrality or a neutral gender.
Someone whose gender identity doesn't fit within the binary of male or female. This is an umbrella term encompassing many identities.
Disclosing someone's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent. This is harmful and can be dangerous.
Wearing a prosthetic or padding in one's underwear to create a masculine genital appearance, often used by transmasculine people.
Someone who is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity.
When a trans person is perceived by others as their authentic gender. This term can be problematic as it implies some people are more 'valid' than others.
Words used to refer to someone (she/her, he/him, they/them, ze/zir, etc.). Respecting pronouns is fundamental to respecting identity.
An umbrella term for people who are not heterosexual or cisgender. Once used as a slur, it has been reclaimed by many LGBTQ+ people, though not everyone is comfortable with it.
Someone who is exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Biological characteristics including chromosomes, hormones, and anatomy. Often assigned at birth as male or female, though sex exists on a spectrum.
Who a person is attracted to romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually. This is distinct from gender identity.
The process of changing one's gender expression to align with their gender identity, which may include new name, pronouns, clothing, and how they present themselves.
When a trans person lives fully as their gender and does not disclose their trans status.
Gender-affirming chest surgery, which may involve breast augmentation or chest masculinization.
Someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. An umbrella term including trans men, trans women, non-binary people, and more.
Someone assigned male at birth whose gender identity is more feminine, which may include trans women and some non-binary people.
Someone assigned female at birth whose gender identity is more masculine, which may include trans men and some non-binary people.
The process of affirming and expressing one's gender identity, which may include social, medical, and/or legal changes. Each person's transition is unique.
Prejudice, discrimination, or hatred directed at transgender people.
An older term for someone who has medically transitioned or plans to. Many people now prefer 'transgender' or simply 'trans'.
Positioning and securing the genitals to create a flatter appearance, often used by transfeminine people.
A modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe gender-variant people in their communities. This is a cultural identity specific to Indigenous peoples.
Gender-neutral pronouns used by some non-binary and gender non-conforming people as alternatives to he/him or she/her.
Understanding terminology is just the beginning. If you're navigating gender identity within your family, we're here to provide personalized, compassionate support.
Book a Session with Teresa