SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Heterosexual: Someone whose predominant physical or sexual attraction is to the opposite sex (“Straight”).

Homosexual: Someone whose predominant physical or sexual attraction is to the same sex.

Bisexual: Someone who has a physical or sexual attraction to both sexes.

Gay: Preferred term for homosexual. Can apply to men and women, mostly men.

Lesbian: Preferred term for homosexual woman. Can only apply to women.

GENDER IDENTITY

Biological Sex: Assignment at birth, usually by a doctor, as male or female based on biological appearance.

Actual genetic makeup requires a test to determine XY or XX or other makeup.

Gender: Gender is a social construct and is largely artificial. It is someone’s sense of maleness or

femaleness based on behavior, identity and/or how he or she expresses “male” or “female” traits.

Masculinity / Femininity: Sex role stereotypes, that differ in each culture, assigned to men and women.

TRANSGENDER Umbrella term for all gender variant people.

Cross-Dresser: Someone who wears clothing that is typically worn by the opposite sex. This may happen for

simple comfort or sexual purposes. Most cross-dressers are heterosexual. (Transvestite)

Transsexual: Someone taking steps to physically alter his or her sex to be more like the opposite sex.

(hormones, implants, surgery, etc. (male-to-female = mtf) (female-to-male = ftm). (Non-Operative

= no surgery, Pre-Operative = have begun transition, Post-Operative = finished genital surgery.

Drag: Dressing as the opposite sex predominantly for performance, costume or entertainment.

Intersex: Person born with a body not clearly male or female. May be caused by any of several dozen

medical conditions, including genetic or chromosomal anomalies which interfere with sexual

differentiation during gestation. Preferred over “Hermaphrodite.”

PREJUDICE

Homophobia: Fear or hatred of homosexuals or homosexuality.

Biphobia: Fear or hatred of bisexuals or bisexuality.

Transphobia: Fear or hatred of transsexuals or transsexualism.

Heterosexism: Promoting heterosexuality as superior or assuming that all people are heterosexual.

“In the Closet”: Being secret about one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Coming Out”: A process of identifying first to oneself, then to others, one’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

OTHER TRANSGENDER TERMS

Transition: The period when one is changing from living as one sex or gender to a different one. Includes

physical acts but also can include changing legal documents

Gender Identity Disorder (GID): A controversial DSM-IV diagnosis given to transgender or other gender-variant people. Because

this term labels people as “disordered” it is considered offensive. Usually given to children who

do not obey expected gender expression. Replaces the outdated term “gender dysphoria.”

Sex Reassignment Surgery: SRS refers to genital alteration, and is only one part of transition. Not all transsexuals choose or

can afford SRS. This is a preferred term to “sex change operation”.

LEGAL ISSUES

Sodomy Laws: Laws that prohibit consensual, adult, private, non-commercial sex. In Michigan it refers to anal

sex with either a man or a woman even within marriage. Used mostly against gays and lesbians.

Civil Union: Formal recognition of committed same-sex relationships only recognized by the State of Vermont.

Similar to, but not the same as, marriage. Civil Unions confer many of the same rights, benefits,

and privileges enjoyed by opposite-sex marriages such as estate planning or medical decisions.

Domestic Partnership: A civil or legal contract recognizing a partnership or a relationship between two people which

confers limited benefits to them by their employer.

Gay Panic Defense: Justification offered for assault/murder of a homosexual because they allegedly made a sexual

advance on the assailant. Assailant alleges the advance felt threatening.

OTHER TERMS

“Ex-Gay”: A person who once identified as a homosexual but now says they are not pursuing sexual

relationships with the same-sex. Many “ex-gays” went through “reparative therapy” or

“transformation ministries” to change their sexual orientation. Few say their homosexual attraction

has changed. Most of the mental health and religious establishments oppose the “therapy.”

Queer: Traditionally a pejorative term for non-heterosexuals, this term has been appropriated by some

glbt people to describe themselves. Some value the term because of its defiance and inclusiveness.

Avoid term unless intent is clearly not offensive.

Two-Spirit: Definition varies among Native American cultures. A two-spirited person is born one sex but ends

up fulfilling the role assigned to both sexes. Considered both male and female and often revered.