The Newbie's Dictionary of LGBTQ+ Terms and Slang

Welcome to the Community

Stepping into the queer community for the first time can feel a bit like arriving in a new country where everyone speaks a language you only half understand. If you are newly out, currently questioning, or a supportive friend trying to keep up, the sheer volume of vocabulary can be overwhelming. We completely get it. Getting lgbtq terms explained in plain English is often the first step to feeling at home in the community. Language gives us power. It gives us a way to describe our experiences, and more importantly, it gives us a way to find each other.

We started Pride Shirt Co because pride should not be seasonal. Every June, the rainbow merch floods in from brands that do not think about us the other eleven months. We wanted a store that gets it. Just like we believe pride is a year-round celebration, we also believe that understanding our community should not be hidden behind academic jargon or gatekeeping. You do not need a degree in gender studies to be a good ally or to understand yourself. You just need an open mind and a willingness to learn.

In this guide, we are going to break down the alphabet soup, explore gender identity, talk about sexual orientation, and even cover some everyday slang. Remember, language evolves constantly. The words we use today might shift tomorrow, and that is a beautiful part of our culture. It means we are growing. Let us dive in.

The Alphabet Soup: Breaking Down the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

You have probably seen a few different versions of the acronym. Sometimes it is LGBT, sometimes LGBTQ, and often LGBTQIA+. The lgbtqia+ acronym is not just a random string of letters; it is a map of our history and a testament to our ongoing push for inclusion. Every letter represents a group of people who have fought for their right to exist authentically.

L is for Lesbian

A lesbian is a woman or feminine-aligned person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women or feminine-aligned people. The term actually comes from the Greek island of Lesbos, which was the home of the ancient poet Sappho, who wrote extensively about her love for other women.

G is for Gay

Gay is a term that primarily describes a man or masculine-aligned person who is attracted to other men. However, gay is also frequently used as a broad umbrella term for anyone who experiences same-sex attraction. You will often hear people of various genders refer to themselves casually as gay.

B is for Bisexual

Bisexuality is the attraction to more than one gender. For a long time, people incorrectly assumed this meant attraction to strictly men and women. Today, the community widely recognizes that bisexuality is fluid and includes attraction to non-binary and gender-diverse people as well. It is a rich, expansive identity all on its own.

T is for Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. If a doctor looked at you when you were born, declared you a boy, but you know yourself to be a woman, you are transgender. Being transgender is about who you are, not who you are attracted to.

Q is for Queer or Questioning

Historically, queer was used as an insult. Over the last few decades, the community has reclaimed it. Today, queer is a popular umbrella term for anyone who is not straight or not cisgender. It is intentionally broad and defies strict categorization. The Q can also stand for Questioning, holding space for people who are still figuring out their identity.

I is for Intersex

Intersex people are born with physical sex characteristics, such as anatomy, chromosomes, or hormones, that do not fit typical medical definitions of male or female. Being intersex is a natural biological variation. It is important to note that being intersex is about physical traits, while gender identity is a separate internal experience.

A is for Asexual, Aromantic, or Agender

The A represents a few different identities. Asexual people experience little to no sexual attraction to others. Aromantic people experience little to no romantic attraction. Agender people do not identify with any gender at all. The A does not stand for Ally, though allies are deeply appreciated.

The Plus Sign (+)

The plus sign is perhaps the most important part of the acronym. It acknowledges that no string of letters can capture the infinite diversity of human experience. It holds space for pansexual, genderfluid, Two-Spirit, and countless other identities. It is our way of saying that there is always room at the table.

Gender Identity Basics

Having lgbtq terms explained often requires untangling the difference between sex and gender. Sex is a biological category assigned at birth. Gender is your internal sense of self. How you express that gender through clothing, haircuts, and pronouns is your gender expression.

What Does Cisgender Mean?

If you are new to the conversation, you might be asking, what does cisgender mean? It is actually very simple. Cisgender is a term used to describe a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. The prefix cis- is Latin for on the same side as. If you were assigned female at birth and you identify as a woman, you are cisgender. It is not a slur or a negative word; it is just a descriptive adjective, much like being left-handed or right-handed.

Non-Binary

Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside the traditional binary categories of strictly man or strictly woman. A non-binary person might feel like they are a mix of both genders, neither gender, or a completely different gender altogether. Many non-binary people use they/them pronouns, but others might use she/her, he/him, or neopronouns.

Genderfluid

Genderfluid people experience their gender as something that shifts and changes over time. A genderfluid person might feel more masculine on some days, more feminine on others, and completely neutral on different days. Their gender expression often shifts to match how they are feeling internally.

Pronouns

Pronouns are the words we use to refer to someone when we are not using their name. Common pronouns include she/her, he/him, and they/them. Using the correct pronouns for someone is a basic sign of respect. If you do not know someone's pronouns, the best approach is to introduce yourself with your own pronouns first. This sets a welcoming tone and invites them to share theirs.

Sexual Orientation Essentials

While gender identity is about who you go to bed as, sexual orientation is about who you want to go to bed with. Getting lgbtq terms explained in this area helps us understand the vast spectrum of human attraction.

Pansexual

Pansexual people are attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex. For pansexual folks, gender is not a deciding factor in their romantic or sexual attraction. They are often drawn to a person's energy, personality, or soul. If you want to learn more about the history and meaning behind their community colors, check out our guide on the Pansexual Pride Flag Meaning: The Story of Pink, Yellow & Blue.

Asexual (Ace)

Asexuality is a spectrum. People who are asexual experience little to no sexual attraction to others. This does not mean they cannot fall in love or have meaningful, deeply committed relationships. Many asexual people experience romantic attraction, just not sexual attraction. It is a completely valid orientation. You can dive deeper into their community symbols in our article on the Asexual Pride Flag Colors: Black, Grey, White, and Purple.

The Split Attraction Model

Sometimes, getting lgbtq terms explained means learning entirely new concepts. The split attraction model is the understanding that sexual attraction and romantic attraction are not always the same thing. For example, someone might be bisexual (sexually attracted to multiple genders) but homoromantic (only romantically attracted to the same gender). Understanding this model helps validate experiences that do not fit into neat boxes.

Queer Slang You Might Hear in the Wild

Every culture has its own dialect, and the queer community is no exception. Much of modern queer slang actually originated in Black and Latine ballroom culture of the late twentieth century. Knowing these terms helps you understand the joy, humor, and resilience of the community.

• Chosen Family: The group of friends and supportive individuals who fulfill the role of family. For many queer people who face rejection from their biological relatives, their chosen family is their primary support system.
• Coming Out: The ongoing process of acknowledging your sexual orientation or gender identity to yourself and sharing it with others. It is not a one-time event; queer people constantly have to come out in new jobs, new friendships, and new environments.
• Outing: Revealing someone else's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent. This is a major violation of privacy and can put the person in danger. You should never out someone.
• Camp: An aesthetic style and sensibility that regards something as appealing because of its bad taste and ironic value. Camp is theatrical, exaggerated, and deeply woven into drag culture.
• Tea: Gossip or truth. If someone asks you to spill the tea, they want to hear the news.
• Shade: A subtle, sneering expression of contempt for or disgust with someone. Throwing shade is an art form in the drag community.

Terms We Are Leaving Behind

Part of having lgbtq terms explained is knowing which words to drop from your vocabulary. Language evolves, and some terms that were common twenty years ago are now considered outdated or offensive.

Instead of saying someone has a certain preference, use the term sexual orientation. Being queer is who we are, not a casual choice we make off a menu. Similarly, we no longer say that someone was born a man or born a woman. Instead, we say they were assigned male at birth or assigned female at birth. This phrasing accurately describes what happened: a doctor made an observation based on physical anatomy.

We also avoid phrases that imply someone's identity is an alternative choice. We are just living our lives, going to work, and paying our bills. There is no hidden agenda. We just want the same acceptance and peace as anyone else.

Keeping an Open Mind

Now that you have had these lgbtq terms explained, the most important thing to remember is that you do not have to be perfect. Even people who have been in the community for decades sometimes mix up terminology or need to learn a new word. The goal is not to memorize a dictionary. The goal is to approach people with kindness, respect, and a willingness to understand them on their own terms.

If you accidentally use the wrong pronoun or term, do not make a massive scene. Just correct yourself quickly, apologize briefly, and move forward. Your effort is what matters most. Your pride, your rules. We just make the shirt. But we also want to make sure you have the knowledge you need to walk into any parade, brunch, or family dinner with confidence. Keep learning, keep asking questions, and keep showing up for the people you care about.