L

Lesbian

Broadly defined as a woman/female identifying person who experiences physical, emotional, sexual and romantic attraction to another woman/female identifying person. Such person maintains an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic and/or sexual attractions to the same Sex/Gender.

G

Gay

Broadly defined as a man/male identifying person who experiences physical, emotional, sexual and romantic attraction to another man/male identifying person. Such person maintains an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic and/or sexual attractions to the same Sex/Gender.

*The term gay can also be used to describe any gender of person attracted to the same Sex/Gender.

B

Bisexual

Broadly defined as a person who experiences physical, emotional, sexual and romantic attraction to people of more than one Sex/Gender. The term has also become an umbrella term to describe several different orientations such as pansexual, omnisexual and sexual fluidity.

T

Transgender

An umbrella term used to refer to all people who deviate from their assigned gender at birth or the binary gender system. There are many forms of transition, including (but not exclusive to); socially, medically, surgically and/or psychologically.

I

Intersex

Broadly defined as a person who is born with reproductive or sexual autonomy that does not conform to the typical definition of male or female. There are sixty-four different intersex variations. It is as common as red hair.

Q

Queer

An umbrella term used to refer the LGBTIQ community – often a self-identifying term. For elder generations within the LGBTIQ community, queer is often seen as an offensive term – it was not until a 1990 pride parade when the term was finally reclaimed as part of the Queer Nation manifesto.

Asexual / Ace

Broadly defined as a person who possesses little to low sexual attraction. An asexual person can still identify as gay, straight or bi. Furthermore, they can still experience different levels of attraction, sexuality or emotional/romantic relationships.

Brotherboy / Sistergirl

A term used by Indigenous people to describe transgender individuals. An Indigenous female is often described as a Sistergirl, whereas an Indigenous male is often described as a Brotherboy.

Pansexual

An individual who can be sexually, emotionally and/or romantically attracted to all gender or sexual identities.

Polyamorous

An individual who practices or desires the relationship of more than one partner. Can be described as consensual, ethical and responsible non-monogamy.