Gay lesbian and bisexual

Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ community organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

Additional terms and definitions about gender self and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are obtainable in the Transgender Glossary.

Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@

*NOTE: Ask people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the start of a sentence.

LGBTQ
Acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media employ the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of thi

Glossary of Terms

Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or phrase because it feels taboo, or because they’re scared of saying the erroneous thing.

This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more relaxed. LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.

Ally | A phrase used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the Diverse community who support each other (e.g., a sapphic who is an ally to the bisexual community).

Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual action with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.

Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with

Bisexual FAQ

What does bisexual mean?

In simplest terms, a bisexual person is someone who can be attracted to more than one gender; but adults and youth who identify as bi sometimes describe themselves differently. Many attracted to both genders adults have embraced the definition proposed by longtime attracted to both genders leader, national speaker and award-winning activist Robyn Ochs:

"I notify myself bisexual because I acknowledge that I have in myself the potential to be attracted - romantically and/or sexually - to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree."

This broad definition of bisexuality includes people who identify as pansexual, queer, fluid and other labels that suggest potential attraction to more than one gender.

How many people are bisexual?

According to the Williams Institute and the HRC Foundation's own research, studies suggest that about 50 percent of people who name as either same-sex attracted, lesbian or double attraction, identify as pansexual. This makes the bisexual population t

New stats reveal that lesbian, gay and multi-attracted people are a growing part of UK culture

The Office of National Statistics have revealed fresh stats about sexual orientation in the UK:

Younger people were more likely to identify as LGB than older people. Among those aged 16 to 24 years, around 1 in 10 (%) identified as LGB, compared with around 1 in (%) of people aged 65 years and over.
An estimated % of the UK population aged 16 years and over identified as dyke, gay or bisexual (LGB) in , up from % in
The proportion of people aged 16 to 24 years naming as bisexual more than doubled from % to % between and

Responding to this new data, Stonewall CEO, Simon Blake said:

"The ONS statistics out today are a timely reminder that lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) people are a growing part of UK society, with more LGB young people than ever before. The more than one in ten of year olds recognizing as LGB will be a crucial part of our workplaces, politics and lives. They will own colleagues, friends and families who support them and