Basic Terminology

Basic Terminology . . .

The following words and phrases are some of the more common terminology that you'll hear in discussions at PFLAG support meetings . . . and on your television, in newspapers, on your radio, and just about anywhere. Unfortunately, these words and phrases are often misused or used incorrectly when presented by mainstream media. To help clear up the confusion (or lack of education) regarding these terms, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) has prepared the "NLGJA Stylebook Supplement on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Terminology" to assist the mainstream media in using these terms correctly. Below are selected words and phrases excerpted from their stylebook, and the corresponding definition and proper use notation where denoted. We hope these definitions and use notations will also help you to better understand these common words and phrases. [Note: The terms listed below are not arranged alphabetically; they are arranged logically so that related terms are grouped together and, where applicable, one term builds upon another.]

Basic Terms:

The following terms are very basic and very common. They are most certainly the terms that you'll hear used again and again at PFLAG support meetings.

Straight	(adj.) Heterosexual; a person whose sexual and affectional attraction is to someone of the opposite sex.
Gay	An adjective that has largely replaced “homosexual” in referring to men who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other men. Avoid using as a singular noun. For women, “lesbian” is preferred. To include both, use “gay men and lesbians.” In headlines where space is an issue, “gays” is acceptable to describe both.
Lesbian	Preferred term, both as a noun and as an adjective, for women who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other women. Some women prefer to be called “gay” rather than “lesbian”; when possible, ask the subject what term she prefers.
Bisexual	As a noun, an individual who may be attracted to either sex. As an adjective, of or relating to sexual and affectional attraction to either sex. Does not presume non-monogamy. [Note: While a bisexual individual can be attracted to individuals of either sex, it does not imply that they can be/will be attracted to more than one individual at a time.]
Transgender	(adj) An umbrella term that can include preoperative, postoperative or nonoperative transsexuals, female and male cross-dressers, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators and intersex individuals. If an individual prefers to be called transsexual, drag queen or king, intersex, etc., use that term. [Note: All terms included in this definition are defined in a separate "Transgender-Related Terms" section below.]
LGBT	Acronym for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.” [Note: Sometimes denoted as "GLBT", as used throughout our website.]
Homosexual	As a noun, a person who is attracted to members of the same sex. As an adjective, of or relating to sexual and affectional attraction to a member of the same sex. Use only if “heterosexual” would be used in parallel constructions, such as in medical contexts. For other usages, see gay and lesbian.
Sexual Orientation	Innate sexual attraction. Use this term instead of “sexual preference.” See lifestyle. [Note: Some people object to the term "orientation" and instead prefer the term "Sexual Identity."]
Sexual Preference	Avoid. See sexual orientation. [Note: Outdated term that fell out of favor once the scientific, medical and phycological communities began to acknowledge that one's Sexual Orientation/Sexual Identity was not a "preference", which implies a conscious choice available to the GLBT individual.]
Gender Identity	An individual’s emotional and psychological sense of being male or female. Not necessarily the same as an individual’s biological identity. [Note: An example of Gender Identity would be a boy or man who feels inside that they were born in the wrong body and are actually a girl or woman.]
Closeted, In The Closet	Refers to a person who wishes to keep secret his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
Coming Out	Short for “coming out of the closet.” Accepting and letting others know of one’s previously hidden sexual orientation or gender identity. See closeted and outing.
Outing	(from “out of the closet”) Publicly revealing the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual who has chosen to keep that information private. Also a verb: The magazine outed the senator in a front-page story. See coming out and closeted.
Lifestyle	An inaccurate term sometimes used to describe the lives of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. Avoid. [Note: An outdated term that assumed that GLBT individuals all lived the same (in most cases, also assumed) deviant "lifestyle". The truth of the matter is that GLBT individuals come from all walks of life and live lives as varied as the general population. Therefore, there is no single "lifestyle" that can be assumed for any GLBT individual.]

"Advanced" Terms:

Okay, you survived the basic terms pretty well. Now we'll move on to some "advanced" terms that you'll also hear used at PFLAG support meetings. Some of these terms may represent areas/issues that you're not ready to discuss, and that's okay with us. These terms are included here to help expand your knowledge so that you'll be aware of what the rest of us are speaking about if a particular topic comes up in conversation.

Openly Gay/Lesbian	As a modifier, “openly” is usually not relevant; its use should be restricted to instances in which the public awareness of an individual’s sexual orientation is germane. Examples: Harvey Milk was the first openly gay San Francisco supervisor. “Ellen” was the first sitcom to feature an openly lesbian lead character. “Openly” is preferred over “avowed,” “admitted,” “confessed” or “practicing.”
Gay/Lesbian Relationships	Gay, lesbian and bisexual people use various terms to describe their commitments. Ask the individual what term he or she prefers, if possible. If not, “partner” is generally acceptable.
Domestic Partner	Unmarried partners who live together. Domestic partners may be of opposite sexes or the same sex. They may register in some counties, municipalities and states and receive some of the same benefits accorded married couples. The term is typically used in connection with legal and insurance matters. See gay/lesbian relationships.
Lover	A gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual person’s sexual partner. “Partner” is generally acceptable. See gay/lesbian relationships. [Note: "Lover" is a term used by many same-sex couples in longer-term relationships, (or individuals from such past relationships) as that term was the accepted term in the '60s, '70s and '80s. Today, the term "Partner" is being used by more and more same-sex couples as some are not comfortable using the term "Lover", as they feel it implies a sex-only relationship as opposed to a full loving, emotionally bonding and sexual relationship. When in doubt, simply ask the couple in question what term they prefer.]
Commitment Ceremony	A formal, marriage-like gathering that recognizes the declaration of members of the same sex to each other. Same-sex marriages are not legally recognized in the United States. (In April 2001, The Netherlands became the first nation to offer legal marriage to same-sex couples who are citizens or legal residents.)
Civil Union	The state of Vermont began this formal recognition of lesbian and gay relationships in July 2000. A civil union provides same-sex couples some rights available to married couples in areas such as state taxes, medical decisions and estate planning.
Homophobia	Fear, hatred or dislike of homosexuality, gay men and lesbians.
Heterosexism	Presumption that heterosexuality is universal and/or superior to homosexuality. Also: prejudice, bias or discrimination based on such presumptions.
Pride (Day and/or March)	Short for gay/lesbian pride, this term is commonly used to indicate the celebrations commemorating the Stonewall Inn riots June 28, 1969. Pride events typically take place in June. See Stonewall. [Note: In Phoenix, the annual outdoor Pride parade and festival have been moved to April due to the excessive summer heat here.]
Special Rights	Politically charged term used by opponents of civil rights for gay people. Avoid. “Gay civil rights,” “equal rights” or “gay rights” are alternatives.
“Ex-Gay”	(adj.) The movement, mostly rooted in conservative religions, that aims to change the sexual attraction of individuals from same-sex to opposite-sex.

Transgender-Related Terms:

The following terms fall under the umbrella of "Transgender", as also defined below.

Transgender	(adj) An umbrella term that can include preoperative, postoperative or nonoperative transsexuals, female and male cross-dressers, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators and intersex individuals. If an individual prefers to be called transsexual, drag queen or king, intersex, etc., use that term.
Gender Identity	An individual’s emotional and psychological sense of being male or female. Not necessarily the same as an individual’s biological identity.
Intersex	(adj.) People born with some combination of male and female genitalia. Parents and physicians usually will determine the sex of the child, resulting in surgery or hormone treatment. Many intersex adults seek an end to this practice.
Transsexual	(noun) An individual who identifies himself or herself as a member of the opposite sex and who acquires the physical characteristics of the opposite sex. Individual can be of any sexual orientation. To determine accurate use of names or personal pronouns, use the name and sex of the individual at the time of the action.
Transition	The process by which one alters one’s sex. This may include surgery, hormone therapy and changes of legal identity.
FTM	Acronym for “female to male.” A transgender person who, at birth or by determination of parents or doctors, has a biological identity of female but a gender identity of male. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes described as “post-op FTMs” (for post-operative). See gender identity and intersex.
MTF	Acronym for “male to female.” A transgender person who, at birth or by determination of parents or doctors, has a biological identity of male but a gender identity of female. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes described as “post-op MTFs” (for post-operative). See gender identity and intersex.
Cross-Dresser	Preferred term for person who wears clothing most often associated with members of the opposite sex. Not necessarily connected to sexual orientation.
Transvestite	Avoid. See cross-dresser.

Terms from GLBT History:

The following terms have their roots in GLBT history.

Stonewall	The Stonewall Inn tavern in New York City’s Greenwich Village was the site of several nights of raucous protests after a police raid on June 28, 1969. Although not the nation’s first gay civil rights demonstration, Stonewall is now regarded as the birth of the modern gay civil rights movement.
Pink Triangle	Now a gay pride symbol, it was the symbol gay men were required to wear in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Lesbians sometimes also use a black triangle.
Rainbow Flag	A flag of six equal horizontal stripes (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet) signifying the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell	Shorthand for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue,” the military policy on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. Under the policy, instituted in 1993, the military is not to ask service members about their sexual orientation, service members are not to tell others about their orientation, and the military is not to pursue rumors about members’ sexual orientation. The shorthand is acceptable in headlines, but in text the full phrase adds important balance.

Other Terms:

Below are some miscellaneous words and phrases that you may hear, some of which are not positive towards GLBT individuals, and some, like HIV and AIDS, which are often attributed to GLBT individuals, but most certainly are not exclusive to any particular group of people.

Fag, Faggot	Originally a pejorative term for a gay male, it is now being reclaimed by some gay men. Caution: still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
Homo	Pejorative term for homosexual. Avoid.
Queen	Originally a pejorative term for an effeminate gay man. Still considered offensive when used as an epithet.
Queer	Originally a pejorative term for gay, now being reclaimed by some gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people as a self-affirming umbrella term. Still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
Dyke	Originally a pejorative term for a lesbian, it is now being reclaimed by some lesbians. Caution: still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
Drag	Attire of the opposite sex.
Drag Performers	Entertainers who dress and act in styles typically associated with the opposite sex (drag queen for men, drag king for women). Not synonymous with transgender or cross-dressing.
HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus	The virus that causes AIDS. “HIV virus” is redundant. “HIV-positive” means being infected with HIV but not necessarily having AIDS. AIDS doctors and researchers are using the term “HIV disease” more because there are other types of acquired immune deficiencies caused by toxins and rare but deadly diseases that are unrelated to what we now call AIDS. See AIDS.
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome	A medical condition that compromises the human immune system, leaving the body defenseless against opportunistic infections. Some medical treatments can slow the rate at which the immune system is weakened. Do not use the term “full-blown AIDS.” Individuals may be HIV-positive but not have AIDS. Avoid “AIDS sufferer” and “AIDS victim.” Use “people with AIDS” or, if the context is medical, “AIDS patients.” See HIV. Shared with permission from PFLAG Phoenix