Definitions

This list is a collection of terms that I may use in posts. All of the definitions were crafted by a group of individuals in Boulder, Colorado as part of a consciousness raising discussion group for LGBTQ adults.

• The definitions are based on various sources we researched as well as our personal experiences and do not reflect the language used by all individuals in the LGBTQ community
• Please use this list as a reference point for what I am writing about on this particular blog
• Others may choose to identify themselves in a variety of ways - there is no "correct" language which can be used to categorize people of all sexual orientations & gender identities
• It is always best to ask people how they identify instead of making assumptions 

Definitions

Ally: A member of a dominant group who works to dismantle the oppression from which they benefit.

Bisexual: A person whose sexual orientation is not limited to members of one sex or gender. Has traditionally been used for people who are attracted to "both males and females".

Cisgender: Expressing and identifying with gender in a way that society deems appropriate according to sexual characteristics. For example, I was assigned female at birth and I identify myself as a woman, so my sex and gender identity match.  This is a new word for a lot of people because it defines the societal gender "norm" and there's usually not a push to label or categorize those that fit society's standards for what's "normal."

Femme: A terms used for a female-identified person in the LGBTQ community who intentionally embodies feminine traits - this one is a bit complicated but I really love this breakdown from Femme Galaxy.

Gay: Often used to encompass all LGBTQ people. In particular, this term is applied to a male-identified person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to another male-identified person.

Gender: The meaning culturally imposed on physical sex characteristics.

Gender Binary: The classification of sex & gender into two distinct and disconnected forms of masculine and feminine.

Gender Expression: Refers to the ways in which we each manifest masculinity and/or femininity. It is often a performance of our “gender identity.” For some, gender expression may not match the sex assigned to them at birth or fit into the binary categories of feminine or masculine.

Gender Identity: The way in which we intrinsically define ourselves in relation to masculinity and/or femininity. Can be fluid.

Genderqueer: Some people who step out of the rigid roles of society’s binary gender system choose to identify this way.

Heterosexual: A straight or non-LGBQ person - someone who is attracted only to members of the "opposite sex".

Homophobia: Fear, hatred, or aversion to LGBTQ people, and to people who do not appear conform to traditional gender roles. Grounded in a belief system that holds heterosexuality as superior or “normal”, can manifest as overt acts of discrimination and/or violence.

Intersex: Intersex people are born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia, or internal reproductive organs that are not considered standard for either “male” or “female.”

LGBTQ: Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (and/or Questioning).

Lesbian: A woman, trans woman or otherwise female-identified person who is emotionally and/or sexually attracted to other women-identified people.

Sex: Refers to physical aspects of the body: chromosomes, genitals and hormones.

Sexual orientation: Attraction to others - may be fluid over time.

SOFFAs: Significant Others, Friends, Families and Allies (SOFFA's) of trans-identified people.

Queer: Reclaimed by some LGBTQ people as an affirmative umbrella term. Can also be used to declare political perspectives and self identification that transcends binary ideas about gender and sexuality. Queer was historically a derogatory term and many LGBTQ folks do not choose to use it to self-identify.

Trans woman (MtF): A male-to-female trans person.

Trans man (FtM): A female-to-male trans person.

Transphobia: An aversion to transgender people or those who do not reflect societal gender norms. Expressions of homophobia and transphobia range from personal discomfort to outright violence to systematic institutional discrimination against those perceived to be non-heterosexual or who challenge gender norms.

Transgender: A person whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender can be, but is not always used as an all-inclusive/umbrella term to include people who don’t conform to society’s gender binary. Some transgender people prefer to operate within the gender binary, choosing to adhere to traditional definitions of gender roles and expression and they may identify as any sexual orientation.

Transition: The process of change that a trans person goes through to bring their gender expression in line with their gender identity. This may include how they dress, changing their name, changing their body, all of the above or none of the above.

Transsexual: Transsexual people are transgender people who choose to physically and socially transition to match their gender identity. They may choose to have sex reassignment surgery, which changes primary and secondary sex characteristics. Primary sex change is accomplished by surgery. Secondary sex characteristics are achieved through hormone therapy, electrolysis, reconstructive surgeries and other methods.