Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Sexual Orientation The direction of one's sexual attraction toward the same sex (homosexual), the opposite sex (heterosexual), or both sexes (bisexual). Sexual orientation is a continuum, not a set of different categories.
Gay An adjective describing an individual whose primary romantic, emotional, and sexual attractions and connections are with someone of the same sex.
Lesbian A more specific term to describe a gay woman.
Bisexual An individual whose romantic, emotional, and sexual attractions and connections are with persons of different sexes.
Gender Identity A person's internal sense of themselves as a man, a woman, or something in between.
Transgender An umbrella term describing individuals whose gender identity or gender expression do not conform to stereotypical masculine or feminine norms. Transgender people are often assumed to be gay or lesbian, but transgender people may be heterosexual, gay/lesbian, or bisexual.
Transsexual An individual who experiences a conflict between their physical sex and their gender identity as a man or woman. The body they were born with does not match their own sense of who they are or
want to be. Many transsexuals undergo medical treatment to
change their physical body through hormone therapy or sex
reassignment surgery. Transsexual people are often assumed to be gay or lesbian, but are heterosexual, gay/lesbian, or bisexual.
Questioning A term used to describe individuals who are unsure of their sexual orientation.
LGBT An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.
Queer Historically, a term that has been used to put down LGBT people, queer has now been reclaimed by some people as a positive umbrella term to refer to LGBT people.
Homophobia Fear or hatred of LGBT people.
Heterosexism Cultural and institutional laws, norms, and policies that discriminate against LGBT people.
In the Closet Keeping one's sexual orientation a secret.
Coming out (of the closet) The process of becoming aware of one's sexual orientation, accepting it, and telling others about it.
Being Outed When someone else reveals a closeted LGBT person's sexual orientation without his or her permission.
Straight Ally A heterosexual individual who supports LGBT people and speaks and acts against homophobia and heterosexism.