Generally used to refer to people who are interested in having sexual and emotional relationships with either men or women, or with people regardless of gender. This term is sometimes taken to imply that there are only two genders to which people can be a

Term used to refer to people who are primarily or exclusively interested in having intimate sexual and/or emotional relationships with people of the same sex.

A project which seeks to question and disrupt the institution of heteronormativity. Rather than seeking specific rights for a specific group, the project seeks to question all of the ways in which “normal” people receive rights and privileges over “devian

People who have not yet found (or who do not yet have) a label that they feel fits their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

A person who does not experience sexual attraction. Unlike celibacy, which people choose, asexuality is an intrinsic part of who we are. There is considerable diversity among the asexual community; each asexual person experiences things like relationship

A social construct based on a group of emotional, behavioral, biological and psychological characteristics that classify an individual as feminine, masculine, androgynous or other. Can be understood to have several components, including identity, expressi

Sometimes used as an “umbrella term” to refer to the vast array of identities and sexualities which do not fit the heteronormative mold. Some individuals identify their gender or sexuality simply using this term.

The irrational fear or aversion to homosexuality or lesbian, gay, and/or bisexual people. This fear may also extend to the fear or aversion to people who are questioning their sexual orientation.

In it’s most basic form, this term describes honest, consensual non-monogamy.

Term for a transgender woman that was assigned the male sex at birth, but identifies as female.

A term used by some people who identify their gender and sexual orientation to be somewhere on the continuum in between or outside the binary gender system altogether. May or may not prefer to have gender-neutral pronouns used for them.

Term for a transgender man that was assigned the female sex at birth, but identifies as male.

Someone who experiences intense, persistent, long-term discomfort with their body and self-image due to the belief that their assigned sex/gender is inappropriate. This individual may be pre-op, post-op, or non-op(op=operative, referring to top and/or bo

The assumption that all or most people are straight. It can include the presumption that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the norm and therefore superior.

The external genitalia, internal reproductive structures, chromosomes, hormone levels, and secondary sex characteristics such as breasts, facial and body hair, and fat distribution. Consists not of just maleand female categories, but is actually a continu

A person who is attracted to people of any gender. This term recognizes the fact that there are more than two genders, and allows for more fluidity around one’s own and one’s partner(s) gender and sexual orientation.

A term used to describe those who transgress social gender norms; often used as an umbrella term to include transsexual, genderqueer, gender nonconforming, cross-dressers, etc. People must self-identify with this term in order for the term to be appropria

The gender someone is physically and emotionally attracted to. Someone may be attracted to either gender, to intersex genders, to both genders, or different genders at different times.

While not exclusively a queer term, this term is often associated with discussions about sexuality and politics. The term outlines consensual power play between sexual partners.

Everything we do that communicates our sex/gender to others: clothing, hair styles, mannerisms, ways of speaking, roles we take in interactions, etc. This communication may be purposeful or innate. Trappings of one gender or the other may be forced on u

Someone who plays with gender in their identity, behavior, and appearance, or who sees their genders as constructed performances rather than a natural extension of their sex(es). Often refers to people who greatly vary their gender expressions and identit

A person born with an anatomy or a physiology that differs from cultural ideals of male and female. These individuals may be born with “ambiguous genitalia” and/or experience hormone-production levels that vary from those of culturally “ideal” females and

Identifying with, or experiencing a gender that is affirmed by society to be the same as one’s biological sex.

The assumption that all or most people are straight. It can include the presumption that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the norm and therefore superior. This term is analogous to sexism and racism. It is the result of institutionalized in

How people think of themselves and identify (man, woman, boy, girl). This is a psychological quality, and, unlike biological sex, cannot be measured, only self-reported by an individual. Like biological sex it consists of more than two categories, and t