LGBT

LGBT

LGBT or LGBTQ+ (pronounced "el-jee-bee-tee") is an acronym that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer or Questioning. The term is used to refer to the community of people who identify as non-heterosexual or non-cisgender. The '+' symbol is often added to include all other sexual orientations and gender identities not covered by the initial letters.

Etymology

The term LGBT came into use in the 1990s as a self-chosen term by the community it represents. It is an evolution of the term LGB, which was used to replace the term gay in reference to the broader community. The addition of the 'T' for Transgender was to acknowledge the diversity within the community regarding gender identity.

Related Terms

• Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women.
• Gay: A person who is attracted to people of the same sex. Often used to refer specifically to men, but can also be used for women.
• Bisexual: A person who is attracted to both men and women.
• Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
• Queer: A term used by those wanting to reject specific labels of romantic orientation, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It can also be a way of rejecting the perceived norms of the LGBT community.
• Questioning: A person who is unsure about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Sexual Orientation: The type of sexual, romantic, emotional/spiritual attraction one has the capacity to feel for some others, generally labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to.
• Gender Identity: A person's internal sense of their own gender, whether that is male, female, or something else.

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