Queer is an umbrella term that encompasses a spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities that are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender. Originally used pejoratively, the term has been reclaimed by many within the LGBTQIA+ community to express pride, challenge binary gender norms, and emphasize the fluidity of sexuality and gender. It is used by individuals who feel that other labels do not accurately represent their identities or experiences. The use of "queer" can also signify resistance against traditional societal norms and an embrace of diversity within the community.

"Queer As Folk" is a groundbreaking television series that first aired in the UK in 1999, followed by a North American adaptation in 2000. The show is significant for its explicit and honest portrayal of gay life, focusing on the lives, relationships, and challenges of a group of gay men living in Manchester (UK version) and Pittsburgh (North American version). It was one of the first mainstream TV shows to offer detailed depictions of gay culture, including aspects of romance, friendship, and the complexities of sexual and emotional relationships within the LGBTQIA+ community. The series also addressed issues such as homophobia, HIV/AIDS, and the quest for rights and acceptance, playing a crucial role in bringing LGBTQIA+ narratives to a wider audience.

A queer bar is a social venue that welcomes individuals of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, creating a space where LGBTQIA+ people and their allies can gather, socialize, and celebrate their identities. Unlike bars specifically labeled for gay men or lesbians, queer bars typically prioritize inclusivity and aim to provide a safe and affirming environment for all members of the LGBTQIA+ community. These establishments often host events, performances, and activities that reflect the diversity of queer culture, such as drag shows, karaoke nights, and themed parties. Queer bars play a vital role in fostering community, supporting LGBTQIA+ visibility, and promoting acceptance and understanding among people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

"Queer Eye" is a popular television series that originally premiered in 2003 as "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The show features a team of five gay men known as the "Fab Five," each an expert in fields such as fashion, grooming, food, culture, and design. Their mission is to makeover participants, often heterosexual men, enhancing various aspects of their lifestyles. The series was rebooted in 2018 with a new cast and expanded its reach to include a diverse array of participants, including women and transgender individuals. "Queer Eye" has been praised for its positive representation and celebration of diversity, encouraging acceptance and understanding of LGBTQIA+ individuals while addressing various social and personal issues.

A Queer Platonic Partnership (QPP), also known as a queerplatonic relationship, is a relationship that transcends conventional distinctions between friendship and romance. It is characterized by a deep emotional bond that may include living together, sharing finances, and long-term commitment, but typically does not involve romantic or sexual elements. QPPs are particularly significant within the LGBTQIA+ community for acknowledging and validating strong, committed relationships that do not necessarily conform to traditional romantic frameworks. This type of relationship is especially appealing to individuals who might identify as asexual, aromantic, or those who prioritize emotional intimacy in different forms.

A Queer Platonic Relationship (QPR) or Queer Platonic Partnership (QPP) refers to a deep, committed relationship that transcends what is typically expected of a friendship but does not fit the traditional expectations of a romantic partnership. These relationships are characterized by intense emotional connections, profound commitment, and often, cohabitation and life partnership, but without the romantic or sexual elements that commonly define a couple in mainstream culture. QPRs can exist among individuals regardless of their sexual orientation but are particularly prevalent and valued in the asexual community, where emotional intimacy is prioritized over sexual attraction.

The Queer Youth Resource Center, often referred to as the Q Center, is a community center that provides a safe space, support services, and developmental resources for LGBTQIA+ youth. These centers aim to foster a welcoming environment where queer and transgender young people can access various forms of support including counseling, education about sexual health, mental health services, and activities that promote community building and personal growth. The centers also often serve as a hub for activism and advocacy, educating young individuals on their rights and empowering them to participate actively in their communities.

A queerplatonic relationship is a non-romantic relationship that transcends what is traditionally viewed as a friendship by involving a deep emotional bond and commitment akin to a romantic relationship but without the elements of romantic or sexual attraction. These relationships can involve cohabitation, life partnership, and a level of emotional prioritization typically associated with romantic partnerships. Queerplatonic relationships can occur between any combination of genders and orientations and are distinguished by their breaking of traditional norms about the kinds of commitment and emotional connection considered appropriate to friendships.

Questioning refers to the process in which individuals are exploring their own sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It encompasses a period of self-reflection and discovery that might involve shifting viewpoints, confusion, or uncertainty. This term is significant in the LGBTQIA+ community as it acknowledges the fluidity and spectrum of human sexuality and identity, offering an inclusive label for those who are unsure of or exploring which identities fit their personal experiences.

A "quickie" refers to a brief and spontaneous sexual encounter that is usually characterized by urgency and speed. It emphasizes physical satisfaction over emotional intimacy and can occur between partners or in more casual settings. This term captures an aspect of sexual culture where the focus is on the immediacy and convenience of the encounter rather than on a prolonged relational or romantic engagement.

"Race" often refers to the intersectionality of an individual's racial identity with their sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. This concept highlights the unique experiences and challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals who belong to racial minorities. The intersection of race and LGBTQIA+ identity is crucial in understanding the compound discrimination, privilege dynamics, and social inequalities that these individuals may encounter. It emphasizes the need for inclusivity and tailored advocacy that addresses both racial and LGBTQIA+ issues simultaneously.

Racism refers to the systemic, interpersonal, and internalized racial prejudice and discrimination that affects individuals based on their race or ethnicity. Despite the community's shared experiences with discrimination and marginalization, racism can permeate interactions, practices, and attitudes, leading to exclusion or invisibility of LGBTQIA+ persons of color in spaces and narratives predominantly occupied by white individuals. Addressing racism in LGBTQIA+ contexts involves recognizing these disparities and actively working towards inclusivity and equity across all intersections of identity.

The term "rainbow" symbolizes diversity and inclusivity, represented by the Rainbow Flag, often referred to as the Pride Flag. This flag is an emblem of the LGBTQIA+ movement and features stripes of various colors, each color symbolizing different aspects of community and life. Originated by Gilbert Baker in 1978, the flag initially had eight colors, each denoting a specific meaning, such as red for life and orange for healing. Over the years, the flag has been simplified to six stripes for practicality, but it continues to stand as a powerful icon of LGBTQIA+ pride and rights, prominently displayed during Pride events and broadly recognized as a symbol of support for equality and acceptance.

The rainbow flag, commonly known as the pride flag, is a symbol of LGBTQIA+ identity and pride. Originating from San Francisco in the 1970s, the flag was designed by Gilbert Baker and initially included eight colors, each with its own significance. Today, the most common variant features six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet, representing life, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony, and spirit, respectively. The flag celebrates diversity and acceptance, and its presence at events, marches, and in LGBTQIA+ friendly spaces serves as a welcoming sign to members of the community.

The term "The Rambles" refers to a specific section of Central Park in New York City known historically as a cruising area for gay men. During the 20th century, particularly before the LGBTQIA+ rights movement gained momentum, such areas were one of the few spaces where gay men could meet each other discreetly due to societal and legal pressures. The Rambles, with its dense vegetation and secluded paths, provided a degree of privacy and became a notable part of gay culture in NYC, though it was also a place of vulnerability where police raids and homophobic attacks occurred.

Raw particularly refers to unprotected sex, where no condoms or barriers are used during intercourse. This term is often used within discussions around sexual health and practices, emphasizing the risk of transmitting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. It's a significant topic within the community due to the high importance of sexual health awareness and the implications of such practices on public health.

The term "read", especially within the drag community, refers to the act of humorously pointing out a person’s flaws, often exaggerating or emphasizing them in a playful or competitive spirit. It stems from ball culture, where "reading" was and still is a fundamental aspect of vogue balls, serving as a verbal form of artistic expression among primarily Black and Latino LGBTQIA+ participants. A "read" is typically intended to be witty and sharp but not malicious, differentiating it from a straightforward insult.

This act focuses on comprehensive sexual education that is inclusive of LGBTQIA+ individuals. It emphasizes providing accurate, age-appropriate information about sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationships to students. The aim is to promote a supportive and inclusive learning environment for LGBTQIA+ youth by addressing their specific needs and experiences. By advocating for comprehensive sexual education, the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act contributes to promoting the sexual health and well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals and fostering understanding and acceptance within educational settings.

The "Real Life Test" refers to a period during which a transgender individual is required to live full-time in their identified gender before they can proceed with sex reassignment surgery. This practice, historically mandated by medical professionals and guidelines, is intended to ensure that individuals can adapt socially, professionally, and personally to their gender role, thereby demonstrating their readiness for further medical procedures. However, this requirement has been controversial within the transgender community, as it places significant emotional and social burdens on the individual and may expose them to heightened discrimination and danger.

Realness, particularly within the ballroom culture, refers to the ability of an individual, usually a drag queen or transgender person, to convincingly embody and perform a specific identity or role, often one associated with societal norms of gender, social class, or race. This performance aims to be indistinguishable from the real thing, effectively 'passing' in a given category. Originating from the ballroom scene, realness is not only a competitive category but also a form of social commentary on the arbitrariness of identity markers in broader society. It challenges and critiques the norms by demonstrating that the attributes considered 'authentic' can be convincingly adopted by anyone.

The red hanky, specifically within the leather and BDSM subcultures, is part of the hanky code, a color-coded system used primarily among gay men to indicate sexual preferences and interests. Wearing a red hanky signifies an interest in fisting. The position of the hanky also plays a role: wearing it in the left pocket indicates that the wearer is the active or "top" partner, whereas wearing it in the right pocket suggests that the wearer is the passive or "bottom" partner. This system allows individuals within the community to communicate their sexual dynamics and interests discreetly in social settings.

RentBoy refers to a male sex worker who primarily provides services to other men. This term became widely recognized through various cultural references and was often used within gay subcultures to discuss or address male prostitution candidly. Although it carries a straightforward definition, the term also reflects complex issues within the LGBTQIA+ community concerning sex work, legal challenges, and socio-economic factors impacting individuals who may engage in sex work as a means of survival.

Repressor often refers to individuals who suppress their own sexual orientation, gender identity, or queer desires due to internalized homophobia, societal pressure, or fear of discrimination. This term can also extend to those who, either consciously or unconsciously, enforce societal norms that stigmatize or marginalize queer identities, thus supporting a cultural atmosphere that compels individuals to hide or deny their authentic selves.

A Rice Queen is a term used predominantly within the gay community to describe a non-Asian male, often white, who predominantly is attracted to or exclusively dates Asian men. This term can be controversial and is perceived by some as carrying racial undertones that reinforce stereotypes and fetishization of Asian men. The usage of this term varies widely in acceptance and is considered derogatory by many for perpetuating racial hierarchies in dating preferences.

Rita Hester was a transgender African American woman whose murder on November 28, 1998, in Allston, Massachusetts, sparked outrage and mourning in the local community and internationally. Her death led to the creation of the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), an annual event that honors the memory of transgender individuals who have been killed due to transphobia. Rita Hester's murder remains unsolved, but her life and the subsequent reaction to her death have had a lasting impact on transgender activism, highlighting the ongoing issue of violence against transgender people and the need for greater protection and recognition of transgender rights.