Become a Patron!June is Pride Month. LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual.
While each letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for a specific group of people, the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities.
A Glossary of LGBTQIA+ Terms You Need to Know
June is Pride Month.
LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive term which stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual.
While each letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for a specific group of people, the term encompasses the entire spectrum of gender fluidity and sexual identities.
![1. Agender [ay-jen-der] adjective (agender people) A word that can describe a person who does not identify as any gender. Agender is not synonymous with genderqueer, genderfluid, or nonbinary. 2. Ally [al-eye] noun (allies) A straight and/or cisgender person who supports and advocates for LGBTQ people.](https://www.eroscoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Glossary-of-LGBTQIA-Terms-You-Need-to-Know-3-1024x1024.png)
1. Agender [ay-jen-der]
adjective (agender people)
A word that can describe a person who does not identify as any gender. Agender is not synonymous with genderqueer, genderfluid, or nonbinary.
2. Ally [al-eye]
noun (allies)
A straight and/or cisgender person who supports and advocates for LGBTQ people.
![3. Asexual [ey-sek-shoo-uh l] adjective (asexual people) An adjective used to describe people who do not experience sexual attraction (e.g., asexual person). 4. Bicurious [bai-kyoo r-ee-uh s] adjective (bicurious people) Similar to "questioning," bicurious people are exploring whether or not they’re attracted to people of the same gender as well as people of different genders.](https://www.eroscoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Glossary-of-LGBTQIA-Terms-You-Need-to-Know-4-1024x1024.png)
3. Asexual [ey-sek-shoo-uh l]
adjective (asexual people)
An adjective used to describe people who do not experience sexual attraction (e.g., asexual person).
4. Bicurious [bai-kyoo r-ee-uh s]
adjective (bicurious people)
Similar to “questioning,” bicurious people are exploring whether or not they’re attracted to people of the same gender as well as people of different genders.
![5. Coming Out [kuhm-ing-out] verb A lifelong process of self-acceptance. People forge their LGBTQ identity first to themselves, and then they may reveal it to others. Publicly sharing one's identity may or may not be part of coming out. 6. Genderfluid [jen-der floo-id] adjective (genderfluid people) One who identifies as genderfluid doesn’t have a fixed gender identity—meaning, they may identify as male, female, or nonbinary on a shifting basis.](https://www.eroscoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Glossary-of-LGBTQIA-Terms-You-Need-to-Know-5-1024x1024.png)
5. Coming Out [kuhm-ing-out]
verb
A lifelong process of self-acceptance. People forge their LGBTQ identity first to themselves, and then they may reveal it to others. Publicly sharing one’s identity may or may not be part of coming out.
6. Genderfluid [jen-der floo-id]
adjective (genderfluid people)
One who identifies as genderfluid doesn’t have a fixed gender identity—meaning, they may identify as male, female, or nonbinary on a shifting basis.
![7. Out [out] adverb Refers to a person who self-identifies as LGBTQ in their personal, public, and/or professional lives. The term is preferred to "openly gay." 8. Queer [kweer] adjective (queer people) An adjective used by some people, particularly younger people, whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual (e.g. queer person, queer woman)](https://www.eroscoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Glossary-of-LGBTQIA-Terms-You-Need-to-Know-6-1024x1024.png)
7. Out [out]
adverb
Refers to a person who self-identifies as LGBTQ in their personal, public, and/or professional lives. The term is preferred to “openly gay.”
8. Queer [kweer]
adjective (queer people)
An adjective used by some people, particularly younger people, whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual (e.g. queer person, queer woman)
![9. Sex / Sex Assigned at Birth noun (sexes) The classification of a person as male or female. At birth, infants are assigned a sex, usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy. 10. Transition [tran-zish-uh n] noun (transitions) Altering one's birth sex is not a one-step procedure; it is a complex process that occurs over a long period of time.](https://www.eroscoaching.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-Glossary-of-LGBTQIA-Terms-You-Need-to-Know-7-1024x1024.png)
9. Sex / Sex Assigned at Birth
noun (sexes)
The classification of a person as male or female. At birth, infants are assigned a sex, usually based on the appearance of their external anatomy.
10. Transition [tran-zish-uh n]
noun (transitions)
Altering one’s birth sex is not a one-step procedure; it is a complex process that occurs over a long period of time.
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References:
- Borge, J. S. V. A. G. (2021, June 11). A Glossary of LGBTQ Terms You Need to Know in 2021. Oprah Daily. https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/relationships-love/g27629860/glossary-of-lgbtq-terms/?slide=34
- Glossary of Terms. (2022). Human Rights Campaign. https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
- What Does LGBTQIA+ Stand For? Full Abbreviation And Other Terms Explained. (2022). Your Dictionary. https://abbreviations.yourdictionary.com/what-does-lgbtqia-stand-for-full-acronym-explained.html
About Dr. Martha Tara Lee
Surrounded by friends who were sexually inhibited and struck by dire lack of positive conversations around sex and sexuality in Singapore, Dr. Martha Tara Lee set out to make a positive difference in embarking on her doctorate in human sexuality before launching Eros Coaching in 2009. Today, she remains dedicated to working with individuals and couples who wish to lead self-actualised and pleasure-filled lives.
She also holds certificates in counselling, coaching and sex therapy, and her fourth degree – a Masters in Counselling in May 2018. In practice since 2009, she is the only certified sexuality educator and certified sexuality educator supervisor by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) in Singapore.
Often cited in the media, Dr. Lee is the appointed Clinical Sexologist for Singapore Cancer Society. She was recognised as one of ‘Top 50 Inspiring Women Under 40′ by Her World in July 2010, and one of ‘Top 100 Inspiring Women’ by CozyCot in March 2011. She has published four books: Love, Sex and Everything In-Between, Orgasmic Yoga, From Princess to Queen and {Un}Inhibited.
Martha works with individuals and couples in private coaching sessions, and conducts her own workshops. She takes prides in making sure all her workshops are also fun, educational, and sex-positive. This comes easily to her because even though she is extremely dedicated and serious about her work, she fundamentally believes that sex is meant to be fun, wonderful, amazing and sacred. As such, this serious light-heartedness has shone through again and again. For her full profile, click here. Email her here.
