The Complete LGBTQIA+
Glossary of Terms

Explore The Complete LGBTQIA+ Glossary of Terms: a comprehensive source offering clear, respectful definitions and insights into gender identities, sexual orientations, cultural terminology, historical places, key figures and more. Ideal for allies and community members seeking to understand and learn about the rich diversity and history of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Disclaimer: This glossary includes a wide range of terms related to the LGBTQIA+ community, including some that may be considered derogatory or offensive by some individuals. Our aim in presenting these terms is solely educational and informative, striving to provide a comprehensive overview of the language used within and about the LGBTQIA+ community. It is important to approach this content with sensitivity and awareness of the diverse experiences and perspectives within the community. Our goal is to empower through knowledge, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for all individuals. We encourage readers to use this glossary as a tool for positive engagement and learning.

Pink Mafia

Pink Mafia is a term sometimes used to refer to a powerful network or influence group of LGBTQIA+ individuals, particularly those in positions of influence within entertainment, media, fashion, or other industries. It plays on traditional notions of "mafia" to humorously or critically highlight the solidarity and influence that such a network could wield in promoting LGBTQIA+ visibility and rights. The term may be used positively to celebrate community solidarity and empowerment or negatively in critiques of exclusivity or gatekeeping within the community itself.

Piss Play

Pissing

Pitcher

The term "pitcher" refers to the role of a person who penetrates another during sexual activities. It is commonly used within the gay and bisexual male communities but can apply to other gender identities where anal or other forms of penetration are involved. The term contrasts with "catcher," which refers to the partner who receives penetration. This language helps individuals communicate their sexual preferences and roles in a straightforward and understood manner within the community.

Pits

The term "pits" often refers to armpits as a specific focus of sexual attraction. This can include the visual appreciation of armpits or arousal from their natural scent, which is sometimes celebrated in queer contexts for its intimacy and rawness. This attraction is part of a broader category of body appreciation and fetish interests that exist within the community.

Platinum Star Gay

A "Platinum Star Gay" refers to a gay man who has never had sexual intercourse with a woman and was also born via cesarean section, thus never having come into contact with a female body even during birth. This term is often used humorously within the LGBTQIA+ community to denote a sense of uniqueness or rarity regarding one's gay identity and experiences.

Platonic Attraction

Platonic attraction refers to the desire to form a close relationship with someone that is neither sexual nor romantic in nature. Understanding and recognizing platonic attraction is crucial as it expands the conventional understanding of relationships beyond romantic or sexual dimensions. This type of attraction underscores the importance of deep, meaningful friendships and emotional connections that are significant in their own right. It is particularly relevant in the queer community where chosen families and friendships can provide essential support and understanding.

Play Sheets

Play sheets are large protective coverings used to cover furniture or bedding during sexual activities, particularly those that might involve lubricants, bodily fluids, or other substances that could stain or damage surfaces. Play sheets are commonly used in contexts such as BDSM play, where maintaining cleanliness and hygiene is a priority. These sheets are not only practical but also enhance the safety and comfort of participants by providing a clean, designated area for activity.

PnP

PnP stands for "Party and Play," a term used within some segments of the LGBTQIA+ community to describe the combination of recreational drug use and sexual activity. The practice is known for its association with certain substances that are believed to enhance sexual experiences but also carry significant health risks, including addiction and increased risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Polari

Polyamorous / Polyamory / Poly

Polyamorous Flag

The Polyamorous Flag is designed to represent the polyamorous community, a group within the broader LGBTQIA+ spectrum that practices or identifies with having ethical, consensual, and romantic relationships with multiple partners simultaneously. The flag features three horizontal stripes: blue at the top representing openness and honesty among all partners, red in the middle symbolizing love and passion, and black at the bottom representing solidarity with those who must hide their polyamorous relationships from the outside world. In the center is a gold pi symbol, representing the value placed on emotional attachments and personal freedom.

Polycule

A polycule is a term used within the polyamorous community to describe a network of people connected through their romantic relationships. It refers to the interconnected relationship structure that can resemble a molecular structure, where each node represents a person and the lines indicate the romantic connections. This term helps to visualize and describe the complex and varying relationship dynamics often seen in polyamory, highlighting the inclusive and interconnected nature of these relationships.

Polygender

Polygender is a gender identity in which an individual identifies as multiple genders simultaneously or varies between them over time. This identity falls within the broader transgender and non-binary umbrella, reflecting a diverse and complex experience of gender that goes beyond traditional male or female classifications. Polygender people may experience and express a combination of masculine, feminine, and other gendered traits in a way that is unique to each individual.

Polyromantic

Polyromantic describes individuals who experience romantic attraction to multiple, but not necessarily all, gender identities. This orientation allows for a broad spectrum of romantic possibilities, recognizing and valuing a variety of gender expressions as potential romantic interests, while not being all-encompassing as in panromanticism. It highlights the nuanced ways individuals can experience romantic attraction beyond binary or singular gender categories.

Polysexual

Polysexual refers to a sexual orientation characterized by the attraction to multiple genders, but not necessarily all. It differs from bisexuality by encompassing attractions beyond merely male and female genders, potentially including non-binary, genderqueer, and other gender non-conforming identities. This orientation highlights a specific inclusivity and acknowledgment of the wide spectrum of gender identities beyond the binary framework.

Pomosexual

Pomosexual, a portmanteau of "postmodern" and "sexual," refers to individuals who reject or question the traditional labels and categories of sexual orientation. This identity is adopted by those who feel that existing terms such as gay, straight, bisexual, or even newer identifications do not fully capture the complexity of their sexual attractions and experiences. Pomosexuals often critique the rigidity of binary labels and emphasize the fluidity and individual uniqueness of sexual orientation.

Poof

Poof is a slang term used primarily in British English as a pejorative for a gay man. It is comparable to "fag" in American English, though in some contexts, it has been reclaimed by the gay community as a term of endearment or self-reference. However, its usage can still be sensitive depending on the context and the intent with which it is used. The term can evoke stereotypes about gay men, particularly regarding effeminacy or flamboyance.

Poofter

Poofter is a derogatory British slang term used to describe a gay man. Like "poof," it carries a negative connotation and is often used insultingly to demean homosexual men by emphasizing effeminate traits or behaviors. Although it has been reclaimed to some extent within the LGBTQIA+ community, its use can still be highly offensive and is sensitive, depending on the context and audience.

Poppers

Poppers is a slang term for a group of chemicals known as alkyl nitrites that are inhaled for recreational drug purposes, most commonly in the gay community. Poppers are known for causing brief euphoria and relaxation of smooth muscle tissues. This effect is particularly noted in facilitating anal sex by relaxing the anal sphincter muscles. While the use of poppers is prevalent in various sexual contexts, it is especially associated with the gay and party scene, where it is used to enhance sexual pleasure and intensify the experience of music and lights at clubs and parties.

Pose (TV Show)

"Pose" is a groundbreaking TV series that debuted in 2018, set in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It explores the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in New York City, including the ball culture world. The show is notable for featuring the largest cast of transgender actors as series regulars in a scripted series, and it highlights the lives, loves, struggles, and triumphs of its characters. "Pose" dives deep into the aspects of queer and trans life during the HIV/AIDS crisis, bringing significant visibility to the issues faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, including discrimination, social marginalization, and the quest for acceptance and respect.

Positive

Positive often refers to an individual who is living with HIV. It is used to describe a person's HIV status in a neutral or non-stigmatizing manner. The term emphasizes the aspect of living and managing health rather than focusing solely on the illness, aiming to support a more accepting and understanding conversation about HIV within and outside the LGBTQIA+ community. This usage underscores the progress in treatment and the shift towards more positive living experiences for those who are HIV-positive.

Post-Op

Post-op is a term used within the transgender community to refer to an individual who has undergone gender confirmation surgery (GCS), previously known as sex reassignment surgery (SRS). This term specifically denotes that a person has completed surgical procedures to alter their body to better match their gender identity. The use of "post-op" helps distinguish this stage in a transgender person's transition, acknowledging the significant step towards aligning their physical body with their gender identity.

Potato Queen

Post-op refers to individuals who have undergone gender confirmation surgery (GCS), which is the surgical component of transition for many transgender people. This term is used to describe the status after completing surgical procedures to align their physical body with their identified gender. It specifically distinguishes this phase from pre-operative ("pre-op") conditions, focusing on the changes and outcomes resulting from surgical intervention in the context of transgender health and transitions.

Power Bottom

A power bottom is someone who is typically more submissive during sexual activities but takes an assertive role in dictating the pace, position, and actions. This term is most often used in the context of gay male relationships to describe a person who enthusiastically engages in the receptive role during anal sex. Power bottoms are known for their high level of confidence and active participation, challenging traditional notions of passive receptivity associated with the bottom role.

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What's In The Pipeline

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Glossary Last Updated: June 19, 2024
Version 1: Publish glossary for the public.
Published April 22, 2024
Version 2: Will be adding filters to view terms by categories.
Version 3: Will be adding images and learn more links for select terms.

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