A to Z of LGBTQ Terminology (I-Z)

Take a look at part two of our A to Z of LGBTQ terminology, from the letter I onwards. You shouldn’t use these terms to refer to someone unless you know they identify as them and you have their consent to do so. 

Intersex

A term used to describe a person who may have the biological attributes of both sexes or whose biological attributes do not fit with societal assumptions about what constitutes male or female.  

Intersex people may identify as male, female or non-binary.  

Lesbian

Refers to a woman who has a romantic and/or sexual orientation towards women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay. 

Some non-binary people may also identify with this term.  

LGBTQIA+

The acronym referring to all sexual minorities: Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Trans, Questioning/Queer, Intersex, Androgynous/Asexual. 

Non-binary

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’.  

Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.  

Orientation

Orientation is an umbrella term describing a person’s attraction to other people. This attraction may be sexual (sexual orientation) and/or romantic (romantic orientation). These terms refer to a person’s sense of identity based on their attractions.  

Orientations include, but are not limited to, lesbian, gay, bi and straight.  

Outing

Publicly revealing another person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity without the person’s consent.  

You should always get the individuals consent before referring to their sexual orientation or gender identity around others. 

Pan/pansexual

Refers to a person who’s romantic and/or sexual attraction towards others is not limited by sex or gender. 

Pronouns

Refer to someone that is being talked about, including but not limited to: he/him, she/her, they/them, ze/hir 

Queer

Queer is a term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of romantic orientation, sexual orientation and/or gender identity.  

It can also be a way of rejecting the perceived norms of the LGBT community (racism, sizeism, ableism etc). Although some LGBT people view the word as a slur, it was reclaimed in the late 80s by the queer community who have embraced it.  

You should not use this term with someone unless you know they identify as queer. 

Questioning

The process of considering or exploring sexual orientation or gender identity. 

Sexual orientation

A person’s sexual attraction to other people, or lack thereof.  

Trans

An umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.  

Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms, including (but not limited to) transgender, transsexual, gender-queer (GQ), gender-fluid, non-binary, gender-variant, genderless, agender, nongender, third gender, bi-gender, trans man, trans woman, trans masculine, trans feminine and neutrois.  

Transgender man

A term used to describe someone who is assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a man.  

This may be shortened to trans man. 

Transgender woman

A term used to describe someone who is assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman.  

This may be shortened to trans woman. 

How to get help

If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your school nurse.

• w: LGBT Foundation
  
• w: The Proud Trust - Resources for young people