top of page
Terminology Within the LGBT + Community
Filter by Tags
Gender Identity
AFAB
Assigned Female at Birth
HIV & AIDS
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
The advanced stage of HIV infection.
HIV & AIDS
ART (Antiretroviral Therapy)
Medication used to treat HIV and keep it under control.
Sexuality
Aegosexual
Someone who experiences sexual attraction but does not desire participation in sexual activities.
Sexuality
Allosexual
Someone who experiences sexual attraction (opposite of asexual).
Sexuality
Androsexual
Attraction to masculinity or male aligned people.
Sexuality
Autochorissexual
A person who enjoys sexual fantasies but has no desire to engage in real world sexual activity.
Slang
Baby Gay
A newly out LGBTQ+ person.
Slang
Banji
A style that is rough, urban, and edgy, often associated with Black and Latinx queer culture.
Gender Identity
Bigender
Someone who identifies with two genders.
Activism, Legal
Blood Ban
Restrictions preventing gay and bisexual men from donating blood in many countries.
HIV & AIDS
Bug Chasing
A controversial term for people who intentionally seek HIV infection.
Gender Identity
Cassgender
Someone who feels indifferent toward gender identity.
Gender Identity
Cisgender (Cis)
A person whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth.
Slang
Clock (or Clocked)
To spot something others might not notice, e.g., "She clocked my lace front wig."
HIV & AIDS
Cruising
The act of searching for casual or anonymous sexual encounters, often in public spaces.
General, Acronym
DEI
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Gender Identity
Demiboy
Partially, but not fully, identifying as male.
Slang
Doll
A term of endearment for a fabulous queer person.
Gender Identity
ENBY
Phonetic spelling of NB (Non Binary)
Gender Identity
FTM
Female to Male (trans man)
Sexuality
Fraysexual
A person who only experiences attraction to people they don�t know well, which fades as familiarity grows.
Slang
GL (Girls� Love)
Media featuring romantic relationships between women.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
GSRM
Gender, Sexual, and Romantic Minorities
Slang
Gay Twitter
A term used to refer to LGBTQ+ discussions and trends on Twitter/X.
Healthcare, Medical
Gender Euphoria
The joy experienced when one's gender is affirmed.
Gender Identity
Genderqueer
A broad term for gender identities outside the binary.
Sexuality
Gynosexual
Attraction to femininity or female aligned people.
General, Acronym
HRC
Human Rights Campaign
HIV & AIDS
Hep C (Hepatitis C)
A virus that can be common in some LGBTQ+ communities, especially among those living with HIV.
Slang
Himbo
A muscular but kind hearted man (often queer coded)
Healthcare, Medical
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Medication to aid gender transition.
Healthcare, Medical
Informed Consent Model
A healthcare approach that allows trans people access to gender affirming care without requiring psychiatric evaluation.
Gender Identity
Khawaja Sira
A third gender category in South Asian cultures.
General, Acronym
LGBTI
Common variation used internationally (I = Intersex)
General, Acronym
LGBTQ+
Inclusive term for all gender and sexual minorities
Slang
Legendary
Someone well respected in LGBTQ+ or ballroom culture.
Sexuality
Lithosexual
Someone who experiences attraction but does not desire it to be reciprocated.
General, Acronym
MOGAI
Marginalised Orientations, Gender Alignments, and Intersex
Gender Identity
Maverique
A non binary identity independent of masculinity, femininity, or neutrality.
Gender Identity
NB
Non Binary
HIV & AIDS
Neg
Slang for HIV negative.
Gender Identity
Non Binary (Enby/NB)
A gender identity outside the male/female binary.
Slang
Opulence
A reference to wealth, extravagance, or looking expensive.
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
PEP
Post Exposure Prophylaxis (emergency HIV prevention after exposure)
HIV & AIDS
PML (Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy)
A rare brain infection associated with untreated HIV/AIDS.
Activism, Legal
Pinkwashing
When companies or governments exploit LGBTQ+ support for profit while not taking real action.
HIV & AIDS
Poz
Slang for HIV positive.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
QPR
Queerplatonic Relationship
Sexuality
Queer
A reclaimed umbrella term for anyone outside the heterosexual and cisgender spectrum.
Sexuality
Questioning
Someone exploring or unsure of their sexuality.
Slang
Reading
Playfully critiquing or roasting someone.
General, Acronym
SOGI
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
General, Acronym
SWERF
Sex Worker Exclusionary Radical Feminist
HIV & AIDS
Seroconversion
The period when HIV antibodies develop in the blood.
HIV & AIDS
Seropositive
Another term for being HIV positive.
Slang
Sickening
An ultimate compliment, meaning someone looks incredible.
Sexuality
Squish
A platonic crush or deep admiration for someone.
Slang
T4T
"Trans for Trans," meaning trans people who prefer dating other trans people.
Gender Identity
TGNC
Transgender and Gender Non Conforming
Gender Identity
TS
Transsexual (outdated, but still used by some)
Slang
Tea (or T)
Gossip or truth.
Activism, Legal
Trans Panic Defence
A controversial legal defence used to justify violence against transgender individuals.
Gender Identity
Transmasculine
A person assigned female at birth who identifies with masculinity.
Slang
Turn the Party
To impress, perform well, or command attention.
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
U=U
Undetectable = Untransmittable (HIV positive people on treatment cannot transmit the virus)
HIV & AIDS
Viral Load
The amount of HIV in a person�s blood.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
WLW
Women Loving Women (lesbian, bisexual, sapphic women)
Gender Identity
X Gender
A Japanese term for non binary identities.
Slang
Yaoi/Yuri
Japanese manga/anime genres focusing on same sex relationships.
Sexuality
Zucchini
A term sometimes used in queerplatonic relationships to describe a close, committed partnership that isn�t romantic or sexual.
Gender Identity
AGAB
Assigned Gender at Birth
Gender Identity
AMAB
Assigned Male at Birth
Sexuality
Abrosexual
A person whose sexual orientation is fluid and can change over time.
Gender Identity
Agender
Someone who identifies as having no gender.
Activism, Legal
Ally
A non LGBTQ+ person who supports queer rights.
Sexuality
Aromantic (Aro)
Someone who experiences little to no romantic attraction to others.
Slang
BL (Boys� Love)
Media featuring romantic relationships between men.
Slang
Ball
A competitive event where people walk categories in drag and vogue.
Slang
Bear
A larger, often hairy, masculine gay man.
Healthcare, Medical
Binding
The practice of compressing the chest to appear flatter.
Slang
Boots
An intensifier, e.g., "That outfit is sickening, boots!"
Slang
Butch
A masculine presenting lesbian or queer person.
Gender Identity
Ceterosexual
A non binary person who is primarily attracted to other non binary people.
Slang
Cishet
Short for "cisgender heterosexual," meaning a straight and non trans person.
Activism, Legal
Compulsory Heterosexuality (CompHet)
The idea that society forces heterosexuality as the default orientation.
Slang
Cunty
A compliment meaning fierce, sexy, and confident.
Gender Identity
Deadname
The birth name of a trans person, which they no longer use.
Gender Identity
Demigirl
Partially, but not fully, identifying as female.
HIV & AIDS
DoxyPEP
Doxycycline taken post exposure to prevent bacterial STIs like syphilis.
Slang
Egg
A person who hasn�t realized they are transgender yet.
Slang
Femme
A feminine presenting queer person.
Slang
Fruit/Fruitcake
A vintage slur for gay men, sometimes reclaimed as a term of endearment.
Gender Identity
GNC
Gender Non Conforming
Slang
Gagging
Being shocked or amazed.
Slang
Gaymer
A gamer who is LGBTQ+.
Activism, Legal
Gender Recognition Act (GRA)
Laws that allow trans people to legally change their gender.
Sexuality
Greyromantic
Someone who experiences romantic attraction infrequently or only under specific circumstances.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
HIV
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Gender Identity
HRT
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Sexuality
Heteroflexible
Primarily heterosexual but open to same sex experiences.
Sexuality
Homoflexible
Primarily homosexual but open to opposite sex experiences.
Slang
House
A chosen family, particularly in ballroom culture.
Gender Identity
Intergender
A mix of male and female gender characteristics.
Slang
Kiki
A fun, casual gathering or gossip session.
General, Acronym
LGBTIQ+
A more inclusive variant including Intersex and Questioning
General, Acronym
LGBTQ+ Safe Space
Term for supportive and inclusive spaces
Sexuality
Lesbian
A woman who is primarily attracted to other women.
Sexuality
Lithromantic
Someone who experiences romantic attraction but does not want it reciprocated.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
MSM
Men who have sex with men (medical term)
Sexuality
Monosexual
Attracted to only one gender (e.g., gay, lesbian, heterosexual).
Gender Identity
NB/Enby
Non Binary
Gender Identity
Neutrois
A gender identity associated with neutrality or androgyny.
Sexuality
Objectumsexual
Someone who experiences romantic or sexual attraction to inanimate objects.
Slang
Otter
A leaner but still hairy gay man.
HIV & AIDS
PEP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis)
Emergency medication taken after potential exposure to HIV.
Healthcare, Medical
Packing
Wearing a prosthetic to simulate a bulge in the groin.
Gender Identity
Polygender
A person who identifies with multiple genders.
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
PrEP
Pre Exposure Prophylaxis (medication to prevent HIV)
General, Acronym
QTPOC
Queer and Trans People of Colour
Slang
Queerbaiting
When media hints at LGBTQ+ representation without following through.
Sexuality
Quoiromantic
Someone who struggles to define or categorize their romantic attraction.
Sexuality
Reciprosexual
Someone who only experiences attraction after knowing that the other person is attracted to them.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
SOGIE
Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression
Activism, Legal
Safe Space
An environment where LGBTQ+ people can express themselves safely.
HIV & AIDS
Serodifferent (Magnetic Couple)
A relationship where one partner is HIV positive and the other is HIV negative.
Slang
Serve
To impress with style or performance.
Sexuality
Skoliosexual
Attraction to non binary people.
Slang
Stealth
A trans person who lives as their gender without disclosing their transition history.
Gender Identity
TERF
Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist
Gender Identity
TMA
Transmisogyny Affected (used to describe trans women and transfeminine people)
General, Acronym
TWOC
Trans Woman of Colour
Healthcare, Medical
Top Surgery
Surgery to remove or augment breast tissue.
Gender Identity
Transfeminine
A person assigned male at birth who identifies with femininity.
Gender Identity
Trigender
A person who moves between three genders.
Slang
Twink
A slim, youthful looking gay man.
HIV & AIDS
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U=U)
A person with an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV sexually.
Slang
Voguing
A dance style originating from the ballroom scene.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
WSW
Women who have sex with women (medical term)
Gender Identity
Xenine
A gender identity that is foreign to typical gender constructs.
Slang
Yas Queen
An enthusiastic expression of approval.
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
ART
Antiretroviral Therapy (HIV treatment)
Sexuality
Aceflux
Someone who fluctuates between experiencing no sexual attraction and some level of attraction.
Sexuality
Akiosexual
Someone who experiences attraction but loses interest if reciprocated.
Slang
Alphabet Mafia
A humorous term for the LGBTQ+ community.
Gender Identity
Autigender
A gender identity heavily influenced by being autistic.
General, Acronym
BOC
Butch of Centre (a masculine leaning lesbian identity)
Slang
Ball Culture
The underground LGBTQ+ subculture known for drag competitions and voguing.
Slang
Beard
A person who dates or marries someone to conceal their true sexual orientation.
Sexuality
Bisexual (Bi)
A person attracted to more than one gender.
Healthcare, Medical
Bottom Surgery
Surgical procedures related to genital reconstruction.
Slang
Camp
Exaggerated, theatrical, or ironic performance.
Slang
Chaser
A derogatory term for someone with a fetishistic attraction to trans people.
Activism, Legal
Cisnormativity
The assumption that all people are cisgender.
Activism, Legal
Conversion Therapy
Harmful practices aimed at changing a person�s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sexuality
Cupioromantic
A person who does not experience romantic attraction but still desires a romantic relationship.
Activism, Legal
Deadnaming
Calling a trans person by their birth name after they've changed it.
Sexuality
Demisexual
A person who only experiences sexual attraction after forming an emotional bond.
Activism, Legal
Drag Ban
Laws criminalizing drag performances in some areas.
Gender Identity
Eunuch
A historical gender identity used by some trans or non binary individuals.
Slang
Fishy
Used in drag culture to describe someone who looks convincingly feminine.
Gender Identity
GCS
Gender Confirmation Surgery (formerly known as Gender Reassignment Surgery)
General, Acronym
GSA
Gender & Sexuality Alliance (formerly Gay Straight Alliance)
Sexuality
Gay
Typically refers to men attracted to men but can also be used as an umbrella term.
Healthcare, Medical
Gender Dysphoria
Distress caused by a mismatch between one�s gender identity and assigned sex.
Gender Identity
Genderfluid
A person whose gender identity shifts over time.
Sexuality
Greysexual
Someone who falls between asexual and allosexual, experiencing attraction infrequently or under specific conditions.
HIV & AIDS
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)
A virus that attacks the immune system.
Slang
Hag
Short for "fag hag," a (sometimes affectionate) term for a woman who enjoys the company of gay men.
Activism, Legal
Heteronormativity
The assumption that heterosexuality is the norm.
Activism, Legal
Homonationalism
The exploitation of LGBTQ+ rights to justify nationalist or xenophobic policies.
General, Acronym
IDAHOBIT
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia
Gender Identity
Intersex
A person born with physical sex traits that don�t fit typical male or female definitions.
General, Acronym
LGBT
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender
General, Acronym
LGBTQ
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning
General, Acronym
LGBTQIA+
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender
Slang
Lesbro
A straight man who primarily socializes with lesbians.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
MLM
Men Loving Men (gay, bisexual, queer men)
Gender Identity
MTF
Male to Female (trans woman)
Slang
Mug
A term for someone's face or makeup look.
Sexual Attraction, Acronym
NBLNB
Non Binary Loving Non Binary
Slang
No Homo
A phrase used to assert heterosexuality after making a comment that could be perceived as queer.
Sexuality
Omnisexual
Similar to pansexual, but acknowledges gender as a factor in attraction.
Activism, Legal
Outing
Revealing someone's LGBTQ+ identity without their consent.
General, Acronym
PFLAG
Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Sexuality
Pansexual (Pan)
Someone who is attracted to people regardless of gender.
Sexuality
Polysexual
Attraction to multiple genders but not necessarily all.
HIV & AIDS
PrEP (Pre Exposure Prophylaxis)
Medication taken to prevent HIV infection.
General, Acronym
QUILTBAG
Queer, Undecided, Intersex, Lesbian, Transgender, Bisexual, Asexual, Gay
Slang
Queerplatonic
A deep, committed, non romantic partnership.
Activism, Legal
Rainbow Capitalism
Corporate exploitation of LGBTQ+ identities for marketing purposes.
General, Acronym
SGL
Same Gender Loving (a term originating in Black queer communities)
HIV & AIDS, Acronym
STI/STD
Sexually Transmitted Infection/Disease
Sexuality
Sapiosexual
Someone primarily attracted to intelligence.
HIV & AIDS
Seronegative
Being HIV negative.
Slang
Shade
A subtle insult or critique.
Slang
Slay
To excel or do something exceptionally well.
Slang
Stud
A masculine presenting lesbian.
Activism, Legal
TERF (Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist)
A feminist who does not support transgender rights.
Gender Identity
TME
Transmisogyny Exempt (used to describe trans people who do not experience transmisogyny)
HIV & AIDS
TasP (Treatment as Prevention)
Using HIV treatment to prevent transmission.
Slang
Trade
An attractive, often masculine presenting man, sometimes with a dangerous or mysterious vibe.
Gender Identity
Transgender (Trans)
A person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
Healthcare, Medical
Tucking
The practice of concealing genitalia for a smoother appearance.
Gender Identity
Two Spirit
A gender identity within some Indigenous North American cultures.
Gender Identity
Vapogender
A gender identity that feels difficult to grasp or fades like mist.
General, Acronym
W4W / M4M / NB4NB
Women for Women, Men for Men, Non Binary for Non Binary (dating preferences)
Slang
Werk
To confidently own something (e.g., an outfit or performance).
Gender Identity
Xenogender
A gender identity that doesn�t fit conventional human gender categories.
Gender Identity
Zirgender
A gender identity that aligns with nature, energy, or spirituality.
bottom of page