Definitions
Ally
A person outside of one, some, or all of the GLBT communities whose attitudes
and behavior are both anti-homophobic and anti-heterosexist and who works toward
combating homophobia and heterosexism on the personal and professional level.
Androgynous (Andro)
Usually applied to a person who's gender identity is not apparent.
Bigendered (BG)
One who has a significant gender identity that encompasses both genders, masculine and feminine. Transsexuals normally do not consider themselves to be bigendered.
Biological Sex
Being male or female, as determined by chromosomes, and body chemistry.
Bisexual
A person who is more or less attracted (emotionally, spiritually, and physically)
to persons of either sex. Some believe that we are all bisexual to a certain
degree.
Butch
Masculine or macho dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity.
Coming Out
The process of a GLBT person becoming aware of their sexual orientation and
of letting other people know. GLBT people are often "out" to some
people and not "out" to others.
Cross-Dressing
Refers to the adoption, fully or partially, of the clothes normally identified
as belonging to the opposite sex. People may cross-dress for a variety of reasons
of which transvestism, transsexualism and fetishism are the commonest. Some
people may also cross-dress as part of a disguise or for entertainment. Others
may cross-dress as part of masochistic activities.
Crossdresser (CD)
One who, regardless of the motivation, wears the clothes, makeup, etc. assigned
by society to the opposite sex. Generally, these persons do not alter their
bodies. Clinically called a Transvestite, the term'Crossdresser' is preferred
by many.
Drag Queen (DQ)
Generally a M2F crossdresser who usually goes to wild extremes, whether towards
a glamorous or campy end, often for other peoples entertainment, appreciation
or for its shock value. This term is considered derogatory by some.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
(DSM-IV)
The guideline that the American Psychiatric Association publishes which details
what is and is not a psychiatric illness. Transsexualism and transvestism are
included in the list of psychiatric disorders.
Dyke
A derogatory term for lesbians. Some lesbians have chosen to reclaim this term
and use it to have positive meaning, especially when saying it in the company
of other lesbians and/or GLBT people.
FTM or F2M
Female-to-Male. Used to specify the direction of a change of sex or gender role.
Faggot
A derogatory term for gay men. Some gay men have chosen to reclaim this term
and use it to have positive meaning, especially when saying it in the company
of other gay men and/or GLBT people.
Family
Used by GLB people to indicate that another person is also GLBT
Female Impersonator (FI)
A male who on specific occasions crossdresses and employs stereotypical feminine
dialog, voice and mannerisms for the entertainment of other people.
Femme
Feminine or effeminate dress and behavior, regardless of sex or gender identity
(see Butch).
Female
One of the two physical sexes. Normally based on the primary sex characteristic
of having a vagina. (see Primary Sex Characteristics).
Feminine
The gender role assigned to females (also woman).
Gay
Usually refers to a homosexual male, but can also refer to a homosexual female,
as well as the gay community in general.
Gay Men
Men who form their primary loving and sexual relationships with other men.
Gay Pride
The confidence in and celebration of the GLBT community and culture.
Gender
Gender is expressed in terms of masculinity and femininity. It is how people
perceive themselves and how they expect others to behave. It is largely culturally
determined.
Gender Dysphoria (GD) or Gender Identity Disorder (GID)
Refers to the dissatisfaction with one's gender identity (woman or man) which
is in conflict with one's physical sex. The term is usually restricted to those
who seek medical and surgical assistance to resolve their difficulty.
Gender Identity
The gender to which one feels they belong.
Gender Neutral
Clothing, behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships etc. which are considered
appropriate to both genders/sexes.
Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS)
Term used in the UK for SRS, Sexual Reassignment Surgery.
Gender Role
To interact with society as a member of a specific gender (i.e. as a man or
woman) by following arbitrary rules assigned by society that define what clothing,
behaviors, thoughts, feelings, relationships, etc. are considered appropriate
and inappropriate formembers of each sex. Which things are considered masculine,
feminine or gender neutral varies according to locations, class, occasion, time
in history, and numerous other factors.
Harry Benjamin, M.D.(1885-1986)
German-born, Dr. Benjamin was one of the first physicians to work with gender dysphoric persons.
Hermaphrodite
See Intersex.
Heterosexism
The societal assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexuality
is somehow superior to homosexuality; the systematic and/or institutional oppression
of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.
Heterosexual
A person that is primarily attracted (emotionally, spiritually, and physically)
to persons of the opposite sex.
Homophobia
An unrealistic or irrational fear of gay, lesbian, and bisexual people and their
culture, the fear of being perceived as GLB, the fear of one's own GLB tendencies,
and/or the fear of being GLB. Homophobia is perpetuated by the negative stereotypes
and misconceptions that surround the subject of homosexuality. The extreme behavior
of homophobia can lead to hatred, discrimination, and violence against GLB people
or people perceived as such.
Homosexual
A person that is primarily attracted (emotionally, spiritually, and physically)
to persons of the same sex. Many gay people prefer that the terms "gay
men and lesbians" or "gay people" be used to describe homosexuals
as a group than the term "homosexuals" be used.
Hormones
Hormone therapy is used by transsexuals to change some secondary sex characteristics,
including breast size, weight distribution, and hair growth. Like most aspects
of human chemistry, the endocrine system - which controls the body's production
and balance of hormones, including sex hormones - is still, at best, only loosely
understood. However, one thing is for certain, hormones represent some of the
strongest and subtlest chemicals produced by the body and should not be 'messed-with'
without extreme care. Always consult a physician before using, or contemplating
the use of, sex hormones on your body.
Identity
How one thinks of oneself, as opposed to what others observe or think about
one (See Label).
In Drag
Wearing clothes considered appropriate to the other sex.
"In the Closet"
To hide one's sexuality in order to maintain one's job, housing situation, friends,
family, or in some other way to survive life in a heterosexist culture. Many
GLBT persons are "out" in some circumstances, but "closeted"
in others.
Internalized Homophobia
The fear and self-hate of one's own homosexuality or bisexuality that occurs
for many gay and lesbian individuals who have learned negative ideas about homosexuality
throughout childhood. Once gay and lesbian youth realize that they belong to
a group of people that is often despised and rejected in our society, many internalize
and incorporate the stigmatization of homosexuality and fear or hate themselves.
Intersex
Intersexuality is a set of medical conditions that features "congenital anomalies of the reproductive and sexual system." That is, a person with an intersex condition is born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia, or an internal reproductive system that is not considered "standard" for either male or female.
Kinsey Scale
A continuum that visually shows the range of sexual orientations.
Label
How someone thinks of one, as opposed to how one sees oneself (see Identity).
Lesbians
A gay female; Women who form their primary loving and sexual relationships with
other women. Some lesbians perfer to call themselves "lesbians" and
use the term "gay" to refer to gay men. Others use the term "gay"
to refer to both gay men and lesbians.
Male
One of the two physical sexes. Normally based on the primary sex characteristic
of having a penis (see Primary Sex Characteristics).
Male Impersonator (MI)
A female who, on specific occasions, crossdresses and employs stereotypical
masculine dialog, voice, and mannerisms for the entertainment of other people.
Man
One who identifies with the masculine gender role, regardless of present sex
or sexual identity. Plural - men.
Masculine
The gender role assigned to males (also man).
MTF or M2F
Male-to-Female. Used to specify the direction of a change in sex or gender role.
Neuter
One who has neither a penis nor a vagina (see Primary Sex Characteristics).
No-op or Non-op
Transsexual who does not intend to change her/his primary sex characteristics
to match his/her gender identity (i.e. have SRS).
Oestrogen
Generic name for one of the main groups of female sex hormones (U.S.A. spelling
'Estrogen').
Pansexual
A person who is more or less attracted (emotionally, spiritually, and physically)
to persons of either sex, regardless of their gender identity. Contrast with
Bisexual.
Passing
A term often used to describe your 'natural' ability to be accepted by most
people as your preferred gender.
Physical Sex
To what sex does the body match, i.e. male, female, hermaphrodite or neuter.
Post-op
Post operative (after SRS) transsexual. May not be considered a transsexual
at this point.
Pre-op
Pre operative (before SRS) transsexual. Normally implies the individual is planning
SRS (see No-Op).
Primary sex characteristics
Those primary physical characteristics that society relies on to separate the
sexes. Penis (male) or vagina (female). (see Female, Male, Intersex, neuter.)
Queer
In the past, a derogatory term for gay men and lesbians. This has been reclaimed
by more GLBT activists during the 1980s and used in such slogans as, "We're
here, we're queer, get used to it!" Considered a more inclusive term than
"gay," queer also refers to some radical politics and GLBT scholarly
studies.
Real Life Test (RLT)
That period (usually a minimum of 1 year) imposed on the individual by the medical
community in which he/she is required to live as full time in the role of the
opposite sex before sexual reassignment surgery.
Riddle Scale
A continuum that visually shows the range of reactions to sexual orientations.
Sexual Orientation
Refers to whom one is affectionally and sexually attracted, usually based on
gender and sex characteristics.
Secondary Sex Characteristics
Facial and body hair, vocal timbre and range, breast size, weight distribution.
Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS)
A surgical procedure designed to modify one's primary sexual characteristics
(genitalia) from those of one sex to those of another (penis to vagina, or vagina
to penis). May also include secondary surgery such as breast implants or removing
the Adam's apple.
She-Male
A popular - if often demeaning - term, generally used by non-transgendered males
seeking sex, to describe Pre-SRS M2F transsexuals.
Significant Other (SO)
Mate/partner, as in husband, wife, boy/girlfriend.
Standards of Care (SOC)
These internationally accepted guidelines are designed to promote the health
and welfare of persons with gender identity disorders. You can read them here.
Straight
Another term for heterosexual.
Trans
An umbrella term covering people of the Transgender Community.
Transgender (TG)
A term used to include Transsexuals, Transvestites, and Crossdressers. It can
also represent a person who, like a Transsexual, transitions - sometimes with
the help of hormone therapy and/or cosmetic surgery - to live in the gender
role of choice, but has not undergone, and generally does not intend to undergo,
SRS (see No-Op).
Transition
The period of time between when the individual first starts the sex-reassignment
procedure and when the individual is living totally as a member of the opposite
sex.
Transsexual (TS)
A person who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfill
their lives as members of the opposite gender. Most transsexuals actively desire
and complete Sexual-Reassignment Surgery.
Transvestite (TV)
The clinical name for a Crossdresser. A person who dresses in the clothing of
the opposite sex. Generally, these persons do not alter their body.
Woman
One who identifies with the feminine gender role, regardless of present sex
or sexual identity. (Plural: women).
Ze, Se, Sie, Hir, S/he
Gender non-specific pronouns
Last modified October 12 2009 05:26 PM
