Learn about the different sexual orientations and gender identities and find out what LGBTQIA+ stands for.
Humanity is so diverse and that makes our world colorful and wonderful.
Spread the knowledge and spread the love. Let the pride colors shine bright.
What is the L in LGBTQIA+?
Lesbian
A lesbian woman is one who is romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to women or female-presenting people.
What is the G in LGBTQIA+?
Gay
A sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward people of the same gender. It can also specifically mean a gay man. It is also often used as an umbrella term.
What is the B in LGBTQIA+?
Bisexual
A bisexual person is someone who is romantically, sexually, and/or emotionally attracted to two or more genders.
What is the T in LGBTQIA+?
Transgender
A transgender is a person whose gender identity differs from their sex at birth. Transgender people may have heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual.
Not everyone whose appearance or behavior is gender-atypical will identify as a transgender person.
What is the Q in LGBTQIA+?
Queer or Questioning
This can mean Queer or Questioning. Queer is typically anyone who exists outside of the dominant gender and sexuality narrative. Questioning is the process of exploring one’s own gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation.
What is the I in LGBTQIA+?
Intersex
Intersex people are people who are or who have a mix of characteristics (whether sexual, physical, strictly genetic or some combination thereof) that would classify them as both a male and a female.
Intersex is an umbrella term and there are around 20 variations of intersex that are included in this umbrella term.
What is the A in LGBTQIA?
Asexual or Ally
Asexuals are those who experience little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in sexual relationships/behavior.
Asexuality exists on a spectrum from people who experience no sexual attraction or have any desire for sex, to those who experience low levels, or sexual attraction only under specific conditions.
Prior to the inclusion of asexuality, the A in the LGBTQIA+ acronym stood for “ally.” This inclusion was meant to give closeted people access to the community without having to out themselves, and since those proudly supporting the LGBTQIA+ community also risked being ostracised.
What is the plus (+) in LGBTQIA+?
The plus (+) is often included as an intentional way to show support and inclusivity to those identities, labels, and experiences that don’t fall under any of the other letters, or for individuals who aren’t comfortable identifying with more common labels.
Examples of other labels not included in LGBNTQIA+ are pansexual (sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction to people regardless of gender), and non-binary (a term for many genders’ non-conforming or non-binary identities).