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.

Trade

"Trade" refers to a person, usually a cisgender man, who is perceived as conventionally masculine and heterosexual, but who engages in sexual activities with other men, often discreetly or secretly. Historically, the term was used in queer communities to describe men who would "trade" sex for some form of payment or favor, though its meaning has broadened and shifted over time. Today, it is often used more generally to describe attractive men who might be seen as a masculine sexual conquest, especially those who are not openly LGBTQIA+.

Train

Tranarchist

Tranny

"Tranny" is a derogatory and offensive term historically used to describe transgender individuals, particularly transgender women. It is considered highly disrespectful and harmful due to its association with transphobic violence, discrimination, and marginalization. The term has been reclaimed by some within the transgender community as a form of empowerment or internal humor, but it remains controversial and is generally advised against in respectful discourse. Use of this term by individuals outside of the transgender community is widely viewed as offensive and inappropriate.

Trans

"Trans" is a shorthand term commonly used to refer to transgender individuals. This encompasses those whose gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. The term trans can be a prefix in more specific labels like trans man or trans woman, but when used alone, it is an inclusive term under the transgender umbrella. It highlights the concept of transcending or crossing the traditional boundaries of gender. The term is used to foster a sense of community and belonging, acknowledging diverse gender identities and experiences without specifying the details of one's gender transition.

Trans Athlete

A "Trans Athlete" refers to an athlete who identifies as transgender, meaning their gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans athletes participate in competitive sports across all levels, from amateur to professional. Their participation has been a focal point of discussion regarding policies on inclusion, fairness, and competition in sports. Issues often addressed include the eligibility to compete in gender-divided sports categories and the impact of hormonal transition on athletic performance. Advocacy for trans athletes focuses on their rights to compete in a manner consistent with their gender identity, aiming to balance inclusivity with competitive fairness.

Trans Ban

Trans Man

A "Trans Man" is an individual who was assigned female at birth but identifies and lives as a male. Trans men may undergo medical transitions, which can include hormone therapy and surgeries, to align their physical appearance with their gender identity, though not all trans men choose or are able to take these steps. Being a trans man relates to gender identity, distinct from sexual orientation, meaning trans men can identify as straight, gay, bisexual, or any other orientation.

Trans Woman

A "Trans Woman" is an individual who was assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a female. Trans women may choose to undergo medical transitions, including hormone replacement therapy and various surgeries, to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. However, the process of transitioning is personal and varies widely, with some trans women opting for no medical interventions. Trans women are part of the broader transgender community and can have any sexual orientation.

Trans-Fan

A "Trans-Fan" refers to an individual who is a fan or enthusiastic supporter of transgender people and their rights. This term can apply to those within or outside the transgender community who actively support transgender individuals through advocacy, education, or personal support. Trans-Fans are allies or members of the community who celebrate transgender identities, contribute to positive representation, and advocate for equal rights and recognition.

Transbian

Transfeminine / Transfem

"Transfeminine" or "Transfem" refers to individuals who were assigned male at birth but identify with femininity to a greater extent than with masculinity. This term is often used to describe someone's gender expression or gender identity that leans towards the female side of the gender spectrum. Transfeminine individuals may identify as women, or they might identify somewhere along the non-binary spectrum but closer to the feminine side. They may or may not decide to pursue hormonal treatment, surgery, or other forms of gender-affirming care to align their physical appearance with their gender identity.

Transgender

"Transgender" is a term used to describe individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is a person's internal, deeply felt sense of being male, female, a blend of both, or neither, which may correspond with the sex assigned at birth or differ from it. Transgender people may choose to express their gender identity differently from societal expectations through clothing, behavior, and personal pronouns, and they may pursue medical interventions such as hormone therapy or surgeries to align their physical appearance with their gender identity. However, being transgender is primarily about one's intrinsic understanding of their own gender.

Transgender Day Of Remembrance

The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) is an annual observance on November 20th that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year. The day also raises public awareness of hate crimes against transgender people, an action that current media doesn’t perform. TDOR provides a forum for transgender communities and allies to remember and honor those who have been murdered due to transphobia, to highlight the continued violence endured by the transgender community, and to mobilize action to combat discrimination and violence. It was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence since Rita Hester's death and began an important tradition that has become the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Transgender Europe (TGEU)

Transgender Flag

Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF)

Transgenderism

"Transgenderism" is a term that was historically used to describe the state or condition of being transgender, referring to individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. However, the term is considered outdated and often pejorative by many within the transgender community today. Modern preferred terminology includes "being transgender" or simply "transgender" as an adjective, as these expressions are more respectful and accurately reflect transgender experiences as aspects of human identity rather than conditions or ideologies. The focus is on affirming transgender identities as natural and valid aspects of human diversity.

Transition

"Transition" refers to the process by which transgender individuals align their physical and/or social attributes with their gender identity. This process is highly individualized and may include changes in name, pronoun usage, clothing, and grooming. Medical aspects of transition might involve hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and various surgical procedures, though not all transgender individuals choose or can afford to undergo medical transition. Social transition involves changing one's gender expression and how one is recognized by others in society. The ultimate goal of transitioning is to affirm one’s true gender identity and improve overall well-being.

Transmasculine / Transmasc

"Transmasculine" or "Transmasc" refers to individuals who were assigned female at birth but identify with masculinity to a greater extent than with femininity. This term encompasses a range of identities within the transgender spectrum, including those who identify fully as men and those who have a more fluid or non-binary gender identity that leans towards the masculine. Transmasculine individuals may or may not choose to undergo physical transitions such as hormone therapy or surgery to align their appearance more closely with their gender identity. The term is used to recognize the diverse experiences of transitioning toward a more masculine presentation and identity.

Transparent

"Transparent" is an American television series that debuted in 2014 on Amazon Prime Video, created by Jill Soloway. The show explores the life of a Los Angeles family after the father, Mort Pfefferman, comes out as a transgender woman named Maura. The series is notable for its nuanced portrayal of the challenges and transformations Maura and her family face following her transition. "Transparent" has been praised for its authentic representation of transgender issues and for increasing visibility of transgender people in mainstream media. It addresses complex themes such as identity, sexuality, acceptance, and family dynamics, making significant contributions to the cultural and media representation of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Transphobia

Transphobia refers to the fear, hatred, disbelief, or mistrust of people who are transgender, or whose gender expression doesn’t conform to traditional gender roles. Transphobia can result in discrimination, prejudice, and violence against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. It manifests in various ways, including negative attitudes and beliefs, aversion to and prejudice against transgender people, and institutional biases that result in and reinforce these negative feelings and behaviors. Transphobia can also impact the mental and physical health of transgender individuals due to rejection, discrimination, and violence.

Transsexual

"Transsexual" is a term that historically referred to individuals whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth and who seek to transition from male to female or female to male through medical interventions such as hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgeries. This term has largely been replaced by "transgender" in many contexts to encompass a broader spectrum of gender identities and to avoid the clinical implications that "transsexual" carries. However, some individuals still prefer "transsexual" to describe their experience if they have undergone or plan to undergo medical transitions to align their physical bodies with their gender identity.

Transvestite

"Transvestite" is an older term that refers to a person who dresses in clothing traditionally associated with the opposite sex. Historically used within clinical and psychological frameworks, the term is now considered outdated and often pejorative. It has largely been replaced by more contemporary terms such as "cross-dresser," which lacks the clinical connotations and focuses more on the aspect of gender expression without implying any issues regarding one's gender identity. The use of "transvestite" is discouraged in modern LGBTQIA+ discourse due to its potential to stigmatize or misrepresent individuals’ experiences.

Travel

"Travel" refers to the act of going to someone else’s place for a sexual or casual encounter, as opposed to "hosting," where one invites another to their own place. This terminology is commonly used in online dating and personal ads within the community to specify one's ability or preference to either host or travel during the arrangement of casual encounters.

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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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