The Basics

What does LGBTQ+ stands for?

Lesbian

A lesbian is a woman who feels a sexual and romantic attraction to other women.

Gay

Gay is usually a term used to refer to men who feel sexual and romantic attraction to other men. Lesbians can also be referred to as gay.

Bisexual

Bisexual indicates having a romantic and sexual attraction to both men and women.

Transgender

Transgender is a term that indicates that a person’s gender identity or expression is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Queer

Queer is considered an umbrella term for anyone who is non-cisgender or non-heterosexual. Queer may be used by people who feel that another term such as gay, lesbian, or bisexual is too limiting or not representative of their identity.

Plus

The + symbol is used to include all the rest of the community. Some examples are Asexual: No sexual attraction; some experience romantic attraction. Intersex: Biological attributes don't conform to male or female; can identify as male, female, or non-binary.

Gender ABCs

Gender

A collection of physical characteristics and personal mannerisms society associates with a particular sex.

Gender Identity

Someone’s innermost concept of self as masculine, feminine, a blend of both, another gender or set of genders, or lack of gender. This is not always congruent with their sex assigned at birth or their gender assigned at birth.

Cisgender:

Cisgender, or cis, means that the gender you identify with matches the sex assigned to you at birth.

Gender Expression

The ways in which a person presents themselves to the world through hairstyles, clothing, toys, preferences, mannerisms, or other things.

Sexual Orientation

Capacity of each person to feel an affective erotic attraction for people of a gender different from their own, or the same gender, or of more than one gender or gender identity.

Questioning

The process of exploring your own sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Cristina Jáuregui Podcast

We’ve collaborated Cristina Jáuregui, a psychotherapist and broadcaster, to record a series of podcasts that aspire to create visibility, raise awareness and help us learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and the role we can all play.