Crossdressing is not indicative of sexual orientation. This is done for a variety of personal reasons. In some situations, a heterosexual ally may feel the need to come out about her or his identity.Ĭrossdresser: Individual who dresses in clothing usually associated with a sex that differs from the one assigned at birth.

It can mean telling others or it can refer an internal process of coming to terms with one’s identity. At times, being in the closet also means not wanting to admit one’s identity to oneself.Ĭoming Out: To disclose one sexual identity or gender identity. Derived from the Latin root “cis,” meaning “on the same side.”Ĭloseted: Used as slang for the state of not publicizing one’s sexual/gender identity, keeping it private, living an outwardly heterosexual/cisgender life while identifying as LGBT, or not being forthcoming about one’s identity. In other words, a person who does not identify as transgender. Also referred to as “bi-affectionate” or “bi.”Ĭisgender: A term for individuals whose gender identity generally matches with that assigned for their physical sex. Often used as an identification for people who do not identify with or conform to any gender.īigender: Having two genders exhibiting cultural characteristics of male and female roles.īiphobia: Fear or hatred of people who are bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, or nonmonosexual.īisexual: A person who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to both men and women, or who identifies as a member of the bisexual community. Sometimes shortened as “ace.”Īgender: Without gender. There are many diverse ways of being asexual. Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity.

May still have romantic, emotional, affectional, or relational attractions to other people. Īlly: An ally is a person who confronts heterosexism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, etc., in themselves and others out of self-interest and a concern for the well-being of LGBTQ people, and who is committed to social justice and equal rights.Īndrogynous: Gender expression that falls somewhere in between masculinity and femininity, or perhaps on some other dimension all together.Īromantic: Someone who does not experience romantic attraction to others.Īsexual: Someone who does not experience sexual attraction towards other people, and who identifies as asexual. This glossary is meant as an introduction to the community, and is not the definitive answer as to how everyone understands these terms. If you hear a term you don’t recognize, or feel like someone is using a term in a new way, ask the individual what the term means to him or her. No glossary could encompass the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQA communities.

Pulpmotion generic terminology