Glossary of Terms Used

Transgender: an adjective describing someone whose gender is different from the gender they were assigned at birth. Often shortened to trans. Used as an umbrella term encompassing trans men, all non-binary people, and trans women.

Cisgender: an adjective describing someone whose gender is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth; anyone who is not trans.

Non-Binary: an adjective describing anyone whose gender does not fit into the gender binary; any gender that is not exclusively male or exclusively female. Often shortened to enby. Often used interchangeably with genderqueer.

Assigned Gender: the term used to describe the gender given to a baby upon their birth, based upon the shape of their genitalia. Babies with vaginas are assigned female at birth (AFAB), and babies with penises are assigned male at birth (AMAB) This is the terminology used by many trans people to describe their journeys in gender over time, and why they have not always been considered to be the gender they are by other people.

LGBTQ: an acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, used to describe the communities of people whose genders or sexualities differ from what’s considered normal. Also written as LGBTQIAP2SN+, so as to be inclusive as possible.

Queer: adjective used to describe anyone who is not cisgender or straight. It is a reclaimed slur, and as such many people do not like to be referred to by it. Also the academic term for studies of LGBTQ people.

Gay: adjective used to describe men exclusively attracted to men. Also sometimes used as a synonym for anyone in the LGBTQ community.

Lesbian: noun used to describe any woman exclusively attracted to women. Just about the only term that is a noun and not an adjective.

Bisexual: adjective used to describe anyone attracted to two or more genders.

Pansexual: also used to describe anyone attracted to two or more genders. The term chosen by an individual reflects the term they personally prefer, and nothing else.

Cishet: a shortening of "cisgender heterosexual," used to describe people who are simultaneously cis and straight. Pronounced as /'sɪs.hɜt/ (sis-het), not /'sɪ.ʃət/ (SI-shut).