Glossary
A non-exhaustive list of 2SLGBTQIA+ terminology
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This glossary is in alphabetical order. Any term in brown in a definition also has a definition of its own listed on this page; you can click on it to go to that definition.
An acronym for “2-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual” with a “+” sign to symbolize all other marginalized sexual/romantic orientations and gender identities/experiences.
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A term used by some Indigenous people do describe a sexual, gender, and/or spiritual identity in which they identify as having both a masculine and feminine spirit.
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“Assigned female at birth.”
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Someone who identifies as having no gender.
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A person who supports members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. This could be a straight cisgender person, or a member of the queer community who supports their fellow members.
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“Assigned male at birth.”
A romantic orientation in which someone experiences little to no romantic attraction to others.
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A sexual orientation in which someone experiences little to no sexual attraction to others.
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Someone who identifies as having two genders.
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An article of clothing used to compress one’s chest. A binder is often used by AFAB transgender and non-binary people, but they can be used by anyone.
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The hatred and fear of, or discomfort with bisexual and/or biromantic people.
A romantic orientation in which someone experiences romantic attraction to two or more genders.
A sexual orientation in which someone experiences sexual attraction to two or more genders.
A gender-affirming surgery that changes one’s genitals to appear and function like those of their true gender.
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A term used to refer to someone who identifies as the gender they were assigned at birth (see: sex assigned at birth).
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A process by which a person shares their sexual/romantic orientation and/or gender identity with others.
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A term used to refer to someone who is romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. This term is most used by men but can be used by any gender. It is sometimes used as an umbrella term for those who do not identify as straight.
Any procedure, action, behaviour, etc. that makes a person feel more comfortable as their true gender.
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A system in which gender is divided into the strict categories of male and female.
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A clinically significant feeling of distress caused by the misalignment of one’s gender assigned at birth and their gender identity.
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The external appearance of an individual’s gender identity. This appearance is usually conveyed through their clothing and behaviour.
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A term used to refer to someone whose gender is not fixed and changes over time.
A person’s feeling of being male, female, neither, or both.
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An umbrella term for those who do not behave in ways that conform to the traditional gender binary. Many gender non-conforming people identify as transgender or non-binary, but they can also be cisgender.
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A term used to refer to those who reject traditional notions of gender. This term is sometimes used as an umbrella term for those who do not identify as a binary gender (see: gender binary).
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The hatred and fear of, or discomfort with people who are attracted romantically and/or sexually to the same gender.
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A person who is born with primary and/or secondary sex traits that do not fit neatly into the binary of male or female.
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A woman or non-binary person who is only attracted romantically and/or sexually to other women and non-binary people.
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The hatred and fear of, or discomfort with lesbians.
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“Men who love men.”
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“Men who have sex with men.”
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An umbrella term for those who do not identify as a binary gender (see: gender binary).
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The act of revealing another person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity to other people without their consent.
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A prosthetic used to imitate the appearance of a penis bulge. Packers are most often used by AFAB transgender or non-binary people, but can be used by anyone.
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A romantic orientation in which a person is sexually attracted to other people regardless of their gender identity.
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A sexual orientation in which a person is sexually attracted to other people regardless of their gender identity.
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A term used to refer to a spectrum of gender identities and sexual/romantic orientations that counter mainstream identities. This term was previously used as a slur against members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but has now been reclaimed by some. Always ask before referring to someone as queer.
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A term used to refer to a person who is currently exploring their gender identity and/or sexual/romantic orientation.
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An inherent enduring romantic attraction to other people.
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The sex (male, female, or intersex) used by a doctor or midwife to describe a child at birth based on their external anatomy.
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An inherent enduring sexual attraction to other people.
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A person who is strictly attracted to members of a different gender to their own.
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Top surgery | A gender-affirming surgery that removes breast/chest tissue.
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An umbrella term for people who do not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth (see: sex assigned at birth).
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A series of processes (social, aesthetic, medical, etc.) that some transgender people undergo to live as their true gender.
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“Women who love women.”
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“Women who have sex with women.”