ABCs of LGBTQs
by Kristi Jackson
While LGBT is still a popular term used to describe the queer community, it has grown to LGBTQQIP2SAA. For this reason, I will often simply use LGBT+ or LGBTQ+ in my writing as a way to be inclusive of everyone. But just what DO all of those letters stand for?
L – Lesbian: Female identified person who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to other women.
G – Gay: Male identified person who is romantically and/or sexually attracted to other men. Gay has also been adopted by some people as a general term referring to themselves as LGBTQ+ in some way, especially among younger generations.
B – Bisexual: Once defined as romantically and/or sexually attracted to both men and women, many bisexuals today say they can be attracted to all genders and/or sexes.
T – Transgender: A person whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Q – Queer: An umbrella term that includes all sexual and gender minorities, including those who do not fit into, or reach beyond the LGBT terms… used to be a slur, and may still be used as such. One should not use that term to refer to someone unless that's how they have explicitly said they identify.
Q – Questioning: Someone who is exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
I – Intersex: People born with anatomy or chromosomal makeup that doesn’t correspond to male or female.
P – Pansexual: Can be attracted to members of all gender identities and biological sexes.
2S – 2 Spirit: A term used by many indigenous groups to describe the gender, sexual, or spiritual identity of those not identifying fully as either male or female.
A – Asexual: Experiences little to no sexual attraction, but can have romantic, emotional, or aesthetic attraction to another person. Asexuality is a spectrum. For instance, some may only experience sexual attraction to people they already have a strong romantic bond to.
A – Ally: Does not identify as LGBTQ but supports the rights and safety of those who do.
So, how do we go about supporting our students, friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers Badass Teachers Association: ABCs of LGBTQs by Kristi Jackson:
