Some also use SOGI (sexual orientation, gender identity) or SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression).
Inclusive of all sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions, and sex characteristics, including intersex traits. A transgender person who is attracted to more than one gender will likely identify as bisexual or pansexual.Īcronym for sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, and sex characteristics, more commonly used in countries outside the United States.
For example, a transgender woman who is attracted exclusively to women would typically describe herself a lesbian if she were exclusively attracted to men, she would likely describe herself a straight woman. Transgender people have sexual orientations too, and they may be straight, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, etc. Gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same. Avoid the offensive term "sexual preference," which is used to inaccurately suggest that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is voluntary and "curable." People need not have had specific sexual experiences to know their own sexual orientation in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all. Sexual orientations can include heterosexual (straight), lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, asexual, and other orientations. The scientifically accurate term for an person’s enduring physical, romantic and/ or emotional attraction to another person. Rather, LGBTQ community or LGBTQ+ community are recommended. The term "gay community" should be avoided, as it does not accurately reflect the diversity of the community. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.Īcronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer.
See acknowledgements section.Īdditional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.Īre we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email Ask people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ community organizations and leaders.