+ Allies

People who identify as cisgender (see cis below) and/or straight and believe in social and legal equality for LGBTQIA+ people. LGBTQIA+ people can (and should!) also be allies to other members of the community, e.g. a lesbian can be an ally to trans people.

+ Allosexual

Allosexual people experience sexual attraction to other people, and they can be homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, or heterosexual. It is the linguistic opposite of "asexual" (see below).

+ Asexual (Ace)

This is an umbrella term used for individuals who do not experience, or experience a very low level, of sexual desire for others. Sometimes referred to as “Ace”, this identity can include those who experience romantic attraction, or those who do not (aromantic or aro people). Asexuality is a spectrum encompassing a number of identities, such as demisexual and greysexual.

+ Assigned at birth

Assigned at birth refers to the way in which your sex is recorded on your birth certificate. When a baby is born, they are assigned a sex based on physical examination. Typically, babies are either assigned female at birth (AFAB), or assigned male at birth (AMAB). Sex assigned at birth is often conflated with gender identity (see below).

+ Bisexual

An umbrella term used to describe attraction to more than one gender. Bisexual people can be attracted to men, women, non-binary people, and people of all genders.

+ Cisgender (Cis)

Cisgender refers to people who are not trans; someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex assigned to them at birth. For example, if someone was assigned male at birth (AMAB) and they identify as a man, then they are a cisgender man, or a cis man. If someone was assigned female at birth (AFAB) and they identify as a woman, then they are a cisgender woman, or a cis woman.

+ Coming Out

This is the process of revealing your sexual orientation and/or gender identity to individuals in your life; often incorrectly thought to be a one-time event, this is a lifelong and sometimes daily process.

+ Discrimination

Discrimination means making a distinction in favour of, or against, a person based on the group, class, or category to which a person belongs.

+ Gay

This term refers to someone who is primarily attracted to people of the same gender as themselves. It is mainly used to describe men, but can be used to describe women too. Some non-binary people may also identify with the term.

+ Gender Expression

The external expression of a person’s gender. Gender can be expressed through mannerisms, grooming, clothes, name, pronouns, and more.

+ Gender Identity

An individual's understanding of themselves as female, male, non-binary, or another gender. This may or may not correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth.

+ Gender Norms

Gender norms define what society considers male and female behaviour, and it leads to the formation of gender roles, which are the roles men and women are often expected to take in society.

+ Heteronormativity

Refers to heterosexual identities being considered the norm, to the exclusion of any other sexual orientation or gender identity. One way that it is demonstrated is by the lack of representation of LGBTQ+ people and relationships in the media.

+ Heterosexual (Straight)

Someone who is primarily attracted to people of the opposite gender from themselves.

+ Homophobia, Biphobia, & Transphobia

Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are, or are perceived as being, lesbian or gay. Biphobia relates to negative attitudes, beliefs, or views targeted at people who are, or are perceived to be, bi. Transphobia relates to prejudice or a lack of acceptance directed specifically at those who are trans, or are perceived to be trans.

+ Intersex

Refers to individuals who are born with sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, genitals, and/or hormonal structure) that do not belong strictly to male or female categories as designated in medical circles, or that belong to both at the same time. Being intersex is as common around the world as having red hair.

A person with an intersex variation may have elements of what is considered both “male” and “female” anatomy. These variations can be identified at birth (where observed in the person’s genitalia), at puberty (when the person either does not develop certain expected secondary sex characteristics, or develops characteristics that were not expected), later in adulthood (for example when fertility difficulties present) or an autopsy.

+ Lesbian

Typically refers to a woman who is primarily sexually and/or romantically attracted to other women. This term is inclusive of trans women and non-binary, gender-fluid, or genderqueer people who may feel the term best matches their identity.

+ Non-Binary

Non-binary refers to those who identify outside the male/female binary. It can come under the trans umbrella, though not all non-binary people identify as trans. People who are non-binary may use they/them pronouns e.g. “They are really nice, they live in Dublin, they are going to the shop.”

+ Monosexual

Monosexual refers to people who are only attracted to one gender. For example, a straight man who is only attracted to women, or a gay man who is only attracted to men. It is used to refer to people who are not bisexual or pansexual.

+ Outing

When someone reveals another person’s sexual orientation or gender identity to an individual or group, often without the person’s consent or approval.

+ Pansexual

Refers to someone who is attracted to all genders, or is attracted to people regardless of gender.

+ Prejudice

Prejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.

+ Pride

Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ communities held around the world. In Ireland most of the large cities and towns have their own Pride Festival or else they have floats in the Dublin Pride Festival, and every year there are new local Pride Festivals.

+ Progress Pride Flag

The Progress Pride flag was created by Daniel Quasar in 2018. It adds blue, pink, and white to the traditional rainbow pride flag (to represent trans and non-binary communities) and brown and black to represent people of colour. In 2021 the flag was further updated by Valentino Vecchietti to include the intersex flag (a hollow purple circle on a yellow background).

+ Queer

Queer means different things to different people. It is often used as an umbrella term for the LGBTQ+ community - the queer community. Individuals may use the term queer to describe themselves to indicate they are a member of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a cultural and academic term. Originally meaning strange, Queer was used against the LGBTQ+ community for many years and still is at times. However, many now embrace the term.

+ Rainbow

The rainbow has represented LGBTQ+ people since 1978 when the first LGBTQ+ flag was designed by Gilbert Baker. The colours reflect diversity within the LGBTQ+ community. The flag has since been updated to highlight trans, intersex, and BIPOC communities.

+ Romantic Orientation

Romantic attraction felt between people.

+ Sexual Orientation

Sexual attraction felt between people.

+ Transgender (Trans)

This term is used for people whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. Gender is an internal sense of being male, female, or something outside that binary, as well as being a pattern of expressions.

Transgender/trans is currently considered the most inclusive and respectful term for the variety of identities under this broad umbrella, however some people may self-identify using other terms, and this is to be respected.

+ Transition

The period of time in which a trans or non-binary person begins to live in their true gender identity, rather than the one they were assigned at birth. A person can transition personally (acknowledging to themselves that they are trans), socially (changing name/pronouns and adjusting their gender expression), legally (accessing legal gender recognition and documents in their true gender and name), and medically (which may involve hormones and/or surgical procedures). Everyone has a different journey, and no trans person is obliged to take any of these steps.