PSU Queer Resource Center • Terminology and Definitions

LGBTQQIAAP+ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Ally,
Pansexual, +many other identities.
MOGII Stands for ‘Marginalized Orientations, Gender Identities, and Intersex.’ Meant as a concise, more
inclusive alternative to LBGTQQIAAP+.

Sexuality and Attraction

Sexual Orientation The direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, different, both, or
multiple genders. It is based on to whom a person is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted.
Homosexual A person who has emotional, physical, and sexual attraction to persons of the same
gender. More of a medical term, it is considered outdated when referring to gay people or communities
due to its clinical/research-based connotation. It is used primarily in conservative political or religious
circles as a negative descriptor and rarely used in community.
Gay Can refer to a man who has emotional, physical, and/or sexual attractions to other men. Sometimes
also used by women to describe their attractions to other women.
Lesbian A woman who has emotional, physical, and/or sexual attractions to other women.
Bisexual A person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of more than one
gender. Some prefer less binary based terms such as omnisexual and pansexual.
Asexual A person who does not experience sexual attraction to others and/or does not experience
interest in sex. Asexuality is distinct from abstention from sexual activity and celibacy, which are
behavioral and generally motivated by factors such as an individual's personal or religious beliefs. Some
asexual people may engage in sexual activity for various reasons, including out of love for a partner.
Pansexual A person who is emotionally, physically, and sexually attracted to people of all genders. While
bisexuality categorizes attraction based on people of the same and different gender from oneself,
pansexuality is a term that is often used to reflect the fluidity of the gender spectrum. Some pansexual
people may also describe themselves as gender blind, meaning gender does not play any role in to whom
they are attracted.
Heterosexual A woman who has emotional, physical, and sexual attractions to men, or vice versa. This is
the sexuality that dominant discourse prescribes.
Same-gender loving A positive term from African American/Black communities used by people of color
who may see 'gay' and 'lesbian' as terms of white MOGII communities.
Questioning The process of exploring one’s own sexual and/or gender identity.
Queer Derogatory slang term used to identify MOGII people. This term has been embraced and
reinvented as a positive, proud political identifier when used by MOGII people among and about
themselves.
Polyamory The philosophy or state of being in love with more than one person. Typically, polyamorous
ideologies strongly promote consent and open communication. Not to be confused with polygamy.

Sex and Gender

Sex A medical term designating a certain combination of gonads, chromosomes, secondary sex
characteristics, and hormonal balances. A binary system set by the medical establishment, usually based
on genitals and sometimes chromosomes. Because this is usually divided into ‘male’ and ‘female’ this
category assigns gendered meaning to bodies and ignores the existence of intersex and trans people.
Gender A complex combination of roles, expressions, identities, performances, and more, that is
assigned gendered meaning by a society. Gender is defined by both individuals and by society, and how
gender is embodied and understood varies from culture to culture and from person to person. Gender is
more complex than a binary or even a simple spectrum.
Gender Identity An individual’s internal sense of their gender. One's gender identity may or may not align
with their assigned gender, and one's gender identity is not visible to others.
Pronouns He/him/his • She/her/hers • They/them/theirs • E/em/eir • First letter of name • Ze/zir/zirs •
Ze/hir/hirs • Hu/hum/hus • Per/per/pers • Ve/ver/vis • One/one/one's • A person’s name
Gender Expression The way you present or appear to other people.
Transgender An umbrella term for a range of people, behaviors, and expressions that transgress
society's view of gender as necessarily fixed, unmoving, and following from one's biological sex.
Trans Man A man who was assigned female at birth (meaning they were medically and legally
designated as female and likely raised as such) but then came to identify as a man. Some people may
identify as transmen, without the space, to indicate that their gender is somehow more complex than
simply being a man.
Trans Woman A woman who was assigned male at birth (meaning they were medically and legally
designated as male and likely raised as such) but then came to identify as a woman. Some people may
identify as transwomen, without the space, to indicate that their gender is somehow more complex than
simply being a woman.
MTF Abbreviation which stands for ‘male-to-female’. It has been argued that this term puts too much
focus on medical transitioning, which is not necessarily desired by all MTF individuals.
FTM Abbreviation which stands for ‘female-to-male’. It has been argued that this term puts too much
focus on medical transitioning, which is not necessarily desired by all FTM individuals.
Transsexual This term often refers to binary trans people (trans men and trans women), or to trans
people who physically transition in any way. While still a preferred term for many, this term can also
considered outdated (or even a slur) when used by a cisgender person as it places focus on medical
transitioning.
Cisgender The prefix ‘Cis’ is of Latin origin, meaning ‘on the same side as or of’. Therefore, someone
who is cisgender has a gender identity that is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth.
Cisgender is the opposite of transgender/trans. ‘Cisgender’ is preferred over terms like ‘biological’,
‘genetic’, or ‘real’ male or female, which assume that cisgender people are normal and trans people are,
by contrast, inadequate or abnormal.
Cissexual Someone who feels comfortable with the gender identity and gender expression expectations
assigned to them based on their assigned sex at birth.
Intersex Person A person born with visible and/or non-visible characteristics that does not fit with
standard definitions of male and female. This can include genitals, reproductive organs, hormones,
chromosomes, or any combination thereof. Intersex is a more modern term that replaces the out-of-date
term 'hermaphrodite'. Many intersex people believe that early childhood surgical intervention is not only
unnecessary, but cruel and advocate counseling and support for children and families.
Non-Binary Gender Used as an umbrella term for identities that fall outside the Eurocentric gender
binary of male/female. Examples include agender, genderqueer, genderfluid, bigender, and numerous
culturally-specific gender identities (i.e. two-spirit).
Genderqueer This term can be used as an umbrella term for all people who queer gender, as a similar
term to gender non-conforming, or as a specific non-binary gender identity.
Two Spirit A term specific to Native/First Nations cultures and people which some MOGII people identify
with. This term should not be co-opted by non-Native/First Nations people.
Crossdresser Someone who dresses as and presents themselves as a gender that, by mainstream
definitions, in some way conflicts with their internal gender identity. Cross dressing can be purely
aesthetic, sexual, a facet of their gender identity, or have other meanings.
Drag Taking on the appearance and characteristics associated with a certain gender, usually for
entertainment purposes and often to expose the humorous and performative elements of gender.
Latinx Latinx is a gender-inclusive term used to refer to people of Latin America. It is used as an
alternative to Latino/Latina/Latin@, which erase the existence of non-binary Latinx individuals.
Xicanx/Chicanx Similar to Latinx, these are gender-inclusive terms are used to refer to Mexican-
American people. It has been argued that Chicanx is a colonized spelling, and that Xicanx is more
appropriate.

Bias and Discrimination

Homophobia Fear, anger, discomfort, intolerance, or lack of acceptance toward LGBQ people,
homosexuality, or any behavior or belief that does not conform to rigid sex role stereotypes. The
internalized version of this is having these feelings about one’s own non-heterosexual orientation.
Transphobia The irrational fear of those who are trans, gender non-conforming, or those perceived as
such due to the inability to deal with gender ambiguity. Commonly expressed by using incorrect pronouns,
incorrect names, or denying the significance/existence of an individual’s gender identity. The internalized
version of this is having negative feelings about one’s own trans/non-binary gender identity. Transphobia
can be seen within MOGII communities, as well as in general society.
Biphobia The fear of, discrimination against, or hatred of bisexuals, which is oftentimes related to the
current binary standard. Biphobia can be seen within MOGII communities, as well as in general society.
Ally A person outside (partially or entirely) of MOGII communities who supports queer and transgender
people. Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, heterosexual, and
cisgender privilege in themselves and others; has a concern for the well-being of MOGII people; and a
belief that heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, monosexism, transphobia, and cissexism are social
justice issues.

Online Resources
Allies pflag.org
Identity Resources pdx.edu/queer