off to prideWords to help you follow the conversation
This glossary offers short starting points, not labels to assign to strangers. People may understand and use the same term differently. Follow the language someone chooses for themselves.
Orientation, gender and sex characteristics describe different things. A word in one category does not settle a person’s identity in another. You can ask a considerate question when it fits the conversation, without demanding personal history.
The identity entries draw on Stonewall’s glossary and Santa Barbara’s community resource. Ace-spectrum terms also use AVEN’s explanations. Legal terms use government discrimination guidance and the official certificate overview. Their precise scope depends on the applicable law.
Alphabetical glossary
- Abro
- An orientation which changes over time.
- Ace
- An umbrella term covering asexual-spectrum experiences.
- Agender
- Having no gender, or identifying with genderlessness.
- Allosexual
- Experiencing sexual attraction; a term distinct from asexual.
- Ally
- Someone who supports LGBTQ+ people and their inclusion.
- Aromantic
- Experiencing little or no romantic attraction.
- Asexual
- Experiencing little or no sexual attraction.
- Assigned sex
- The sex recorded for a person at birth.
- Bi
- Attracted to more than one gender.
- Biphobia
- Prejudice directed at bi people or perceived bi people.
- Butch
- A self-description often associated with masculine lesbian expression.
- Cisgender
- Gender corresponding with the sex assigned at birth.
- Coming out
- Sharing an orientation or gender identity with others.
- Deadnaming
- Using a previous name someone has stopped using.
- Demiromantic
- Romantic attraction experienced after an emotional bond forms.
- Demisexual
- Sexual attraction experienced after an emotional bond forms.
- Discrimination
- Treating someone unfairly because of a characteristic such as sexual orientation or gender reassignment. In many settings this is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
- Drag
- Performance using gendered presentation; distinct from gender identity.
- Femme
- A self-description associated with feminine expression.
- Gay
- An identity associated with same-gender attraction.
- Gender dysphoria
- Discomfort or distress a person may feel when their gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Gender expression
- How gender is expressed through presentation and behaviour.
- Gender identity
- A person’s understanding of their own gender.
- Gender nonconforming
- Expression outside expectations associated with a gender.
- Gender recognition certificate
- A certificate legally recognising a person’s acquired gender as male or female, under the Gender Recognition Act 2004.
- Genderfluid
- A gender experience which can change over time.
- Genderqueer
- An identity outside conventional binary gender categories.
- Grey-asexual
- Experiencing sexual attraction rarely or under limited circumstances.
- Harassment
- Unwanted behaviour connected to protected characteristics under relevant law.
- Heterosexual
- Attraction associated with a different gender.
- Homophobia
- Prejudice directed at gay or lesbian people, or people perceived to be gay or lesbian.
- Intersex
- Variations in sex characteristics outside typical male or female patterns.
- Lesbian
- An identity associated with attraction to women.
- LGBTQ+
- Lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer or questioning, with the plus sign including other identities.
- Misgendering
- Referring to someone using a gender they do not identify with.
- Non-binary
- Gender not exclusively described as man or woman.
- Outing
- Disclosing another person’s identity without their agreement.
- Pansexual
- Attraction not limited by another person’s gender.
- Pronouns
- Words used when referring to someone, such as they.
- Queer
- A reclaimed umbrella identity; not a label everyone welcomes.
- Questioning
- Exploring one’s orientation or gender identity.
- Romantic attraction
- Attraction involving a wish for a romantic connection.
- Sexual orientation
- A person’s sexual attraction to other people, or lack of it.
- Trans
- An umbrella term for people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Transition
- Changes someone makes in living or expressing their gender.
- Transphobia
- Prejudice directed at trans people or perceived trans people.
- Victimisation
- Unfair treatment connected to making or supporting a discrimination complaint.
Using unfamiliar terms respectfully
Recognising a term does not give you permission to disclose someone’s identity. Let them choose the audience and context. If you use the wrong word, correct it simply and move on.
Some reclaimed words have also been used as insults. Knowing that someone else uses a term does not mean they want you to apply it to them. A respectful introduction needs curiosity and attention more than perfect vocabulary.
Sources for A glossary of LGBTQ+ terms
- Stonewall’s glossary
- Santa Barbara’s community resource
- AVEN’s explanations
- government discrimination guidance
- official certificate overview
Sources checked for this lgbtq glossary guide on 13 October 2026.