As members of the LGBTQIA+ community or allies, we must understand the terms and definitions associated with this diverse community. This is the starting point for building a more inclusive and understanding society. Oftentimes, people use terms interchangeably or incorrectly without realizing the harm it can cause. In this article, we’ll break down LGBTQIA+ meaning to help you better understand and communicate about LGBTQIA+ topics.
Understanding the Acronym LGBTQIA+ Meaning
The acronym LGBT has been commonly used for years to refer to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. However, as our understanding of gender and sexuality has evolved, so has the acronym. The addition of QIA+ acknowledges and includes other identities absent in the original four letters. This includes queer, intersex, asexual, and other identities that fall under the umbrella term of LGBTQIA+. Here’s LGBTQIA+ meaning and what each letter stands for:
- Lesbian: A woman who identifies as emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
- Gay: A person (typically a man) who identifies as emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of the same gender.
- Bisexual: A person who identifies as emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to people of more than one gender.
- Transgender: An umbrella term for individuals whose gender identity and/or expression does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Queer: An umbrella term used by individuals who do not identify as straight and/or cisgender. Q can also mean questioning, referring to individuals who are still exploring their gender and/or sexuality.
- Intersex: A person born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit the typical definitions of male or female.
- Asexual: A person who does not experience sexual attraction to others.
- +: The “+” symbol represents the many other identities and expressions that fall under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella, including pansexual, non-binary, genderqueer, and more.
Other Important LGBTQIA+ Terms to Understand
Aside from the main terms in the acronym, there are other crucial terms to know when discussing LGBTQIA+ topics. These include:
- Ally: A person who supports and advocates for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Cisgender: A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Coming out: The process of an individual disclosing their LGBTQIA+ identity to others.
- Gender dysphoria: Distress or discomfort experienced by a person when the gender they were assigned at birth does not align with their gender identity.
- Heteronormativity: The belief that heterosexuality is the norm and that any other orientation or identity is abnormal.
- Homophobia: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual.
- Queerphobia: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards individuals who identify as queer.
- Transphobia: Prejudice, discrimination, or hostility towards individuals who are transgender.
- Deadnaming: Referring to a transgender individual by their birth name instead of their chosen name.
- Misgendering: Using incorrect pronouns or other language that does not align with a person’s gender identity.
- Pronouns: These words refer to a person’s gender, such as he/him, she/her, they/them, xe/xir/xirs, ze/zir/zirs, fae/faer/faers, etc.
Understanding the Difference Between Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
One of the most common issues about LGBTQIA+ meaning and terminology is confusing gender identity with sexual orientation. Gender identity refers to an individual’s internal sense of their own gender, while sexual orientation refers to whom they are emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to. An individual’s gender identity and sexual orientation are separate and distinct from each other. For example, a transgender person may identify as male and be attracted to men (gay), women (straight), or any other gender (bisexual). We need to understand this difference to respect and validate individuals’ identities.
The LGBTQIA+ Acronym May Continue to Expand
As our understanding and acceptance of gender and sexuality continue to progress, it’s possible that the LGBTQIA+ acronym may evolve even further. Let us continually educate ourselves and be open to new definitions and identities to create a more inclusive society for all individuals. An example of an expanded acronym is LGBTQ2S+. The “2S” stands for two-spirit, a term used by some Indigenous communities to encompass gender identities and sexualities that do not fit into the Western binary of male and female.
LGBTQQIP2SAA is another example, with the extra Q’s representing questioning and queer, the I standing for intersex, P for pansexual, 2S for two-spirit, and AA for asexual and allies. Regardless of how long or complex an acronym may become, understanding and supporting all identities within the LGBTQIA+ community is crucial in creating a more inclusive world.
Let’s continue learning and growing together. Let’s educate ourselves and others on the importance of using inclusive language and terminology when discussing LGBTQIA+ topics. Remember, words hold power and can either harm or uplift individuals in our society. We should choose to use them wisely and with respect for all identities.
Continuing the Conversation
The LGBTQIA+ community and its experiences are incredibly diverse, and we must recognize that no one article or acronym can fully encompass all identities and experiences. We must continue having open and respectful conversations about gender identity, sexual orientation, and other related topics to learn from each other and create a more inclusive society for everyone. Let us strive towards creating a world where all individuals can feel safe, accepted, and celebrated for who they are. So, we must keep the conversation going and actively work towards creating a more inclusive and accepting society for all LGBTQIA+ individuals.
Love is love, and we should all be able to freely express and celebrate our identities without fear of discrimination or prejudice. Let’s stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community and continue fighting for equal rights and representation for all.
