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.

Bottom Surgery

Bottom surgery refers to gender-affirming surgery aimed at altering an individual's genitalia to better reflect their gender identity. This term is commonly used within the transgender and wider LGBTQIA+ community. For transgender women (male-to-female), this may include procedures such as vaginoplasty, labiaplasty, and clitoroplasty. For transgender men (female-to-male), it can involve phalloplasty or metoidioplasty and the construction of a scrotum. Bottom surgery is a significant aspect of the transition process for many transgender individuals, helping to alleviate gender dysphoria and allowing them to live more comfortably with their gender identity. It's important to note that not all transgender people choose or require surgery to affirm their gender identity.

Bowers v. Hardwick (1986)

Boy / Boi

Boy or Boi typically refers to a younger person who presents themselves in a more masculine way, regardless of their gender identity. This term is especially prevalent in lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender circles. Bois may identify with this term for various reasons, including but not limited to, gender expression, sexual orientation, or as a reflection of their youthful appearance or attitude. It's also used within the transgender community, particularly by those who are transitioning to a more traditionally masculine presentation but do not fully identify with conventional manhood or wish to highlight a more nuanced understanding of their gender identity. The term "boi" can signify an alternative masculinity that is softer, more youthful, and distinct from cis-normative masculinity.

Boyfriend Twins

Boyfriend Twins is a term used particularly among gay men, to describe couples where both individuals look strikingly similar to each other, often to the point of being mistaken for brothers. This phenomenon reflects on the broader discussions of attraction, narcissism, and identity within the gay community, highlighting how personal and social identity can influence romantic choices. The concept raises questions about the dynamics of attraction, including the desire for similarity in physical appearance, interests, and behaviors. It's also a topic of interest in cultural and media representation, as it touches on how LGBTQIA+ relationships are viewed and understood both within and outside the community. The discussion around Boyfriend Twins can intersect with conversations on gender expression and presentation, as well as stereotypes and challenges within the community, especially regarding perceptions of vanity, self-obsession, or homogamy.

Boymoder

Boystown

Boystown refers to neighborhoods or areas within cities that are recognized as LGBTQIA+ friendly spaces, often characterized by a high concentration of gay residents, businesses, and cultural institutions. These areas serve as vital hubs for the LGBTQIA+ community, providing safe spaces for expression, socialization, and support. Boystown neighborhoods typically feature a variety of gay bars, clubs, restaurants, bookstores, and other businesses that cater to or are owned by LGBTQIA+ individuals. Beyond their social and cultural significance, Boystowns play a crucial role in the political and economic life of the LGBTQIA+ community, acting as centers for activism, pride, and community development. The first officially recognized Boystown is located in Chicago, Illinois, but many cities around the world have similar districts that serve as focal points for LGBTQIA+ life and advocacy.

Boystown (Chicago)

Boystown in Chicago is recognized as one of the first officially designated gay villages in the United States. It is a cultural and social hub for the LGBTQIA+ community, located within the larger Lakeview neighborhood. Boystown is renowned for its inclusive atmosphere, LGBTQIA+ owned and friendly businesses, bars, restaurants, and clubs, as well as for being the site of the Chicago Pride Parade, one of the largest LGBTQIA+ pride events in the world. This area serves not only as a safe space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to live, work, and socialize but also as a vibrant center of activism, cultural expression, and community advocacy. Boystown plays a crucial role in celebrating and supporting the diversity and history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Chicago and serves as a model for similar districts globally.

Breeder

A "breeder" is a colloquial and often pejorative term used by some individuals to refer to heterosexual people, particularly those who have children or are capable of reproducing biologically. The term underscores the distinctions and sometimes tensions between heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ communities, especially regarding issues of marriage, family, and child-rearing. It highlights societal expectations around procreation and the traditional family model, which have historically marginalized LGBTQIA+ relationships and family structures. While used by some to critique or mock societal norms, it's important to approach the term with awareness of its potential to offend or alienate.

Broadway

"Broadway" refers to the theatrical and entertainment district in New York City, particularly the area along Broadway Avenue in Manhattan. In the LGBTQIA+ community, Broadway holds significant cultural importance as a hub for theatrical productions, musicals, and performances that often resonate deeply with queer audiences. Many LGBTQIA+ individuals find a sense of belonging, identity, and expression within Broadway culture, both as creators and consumers of the art form. The term encompasses the vibrant history, creativity, and inclusivity of the Broadway community, where LGBTQIA+ artists, characters, and themes have long been celebrated and embraced.

Broadway Bares

Broadway Cares

"Broadway Cares" is an organization dedicated to providing support and assistance to individuals within the entertainment industry who are living with HIV/AIDS and other critical illnesses. It originated within the Broadway theatre community in New York City and has since expanded its reach to encompass various fundraising events, educational programs, and grant-making initiatives. Broadway Cares plays a crucial role in raising awareness, advocating for those affected by HIV/AIDS, and offering financial assistance to ensure access to lifesaving medications, healthcare, and social services.

Brokeback Mountain

"Brokeback Mountain" is a seminal film in LGBTQIA+ cinema, directed by Ang Lee and released in 2005. Based on Annie Proulx's short story of the same name, the film explores the complex romantic and sexual relationship between two young American cowboys, Ennis Del Mar and Jack Twist, in the American West from the 1960s to the 1980s. The movie broke significant ground by bringing the conversation of homosexual love, particularly in a rural and traditionally masculine setting, to mainstream audiences. It highlighted the challenges and severe consequences of societal homophobia and internalized repression. The film’s impact resonates in its contributions to greater acceptance and visibility of gay relationships in media.

Brown Hanky

The brown hanky is part of the hanky code, a system of colored handkerchiefs used within the gay male subculture to indicate one's sexual interests and preferences. A brown hanky, when worn in the back pocket of one's jeans, traditionally signifies an interest in scat play. This practice originated in the 1970s as a discreet way for individuals in the gay leather community to communicate their sexual fetishes in social environments like bars or clubs. The hanky code plays a significant role in the history and culture of sexual expression among gay men, serving as both a tool for identification and a marker of belonging within particular subgroups.

Brownie Queen

The term "Brownie Queen" is a historical and colloquial term, particularly among gay men, used to describe a gay man with a specific preference for Latino partners. This term, like many others within the community, reflects the diversity of attraction and preferences among LGBTQIA+ individuals but also raises important discussions about racial stereotypes and fetishization. It's crucial to approach such terms with sensitivity to their implications on racial dynamics and the importance of respecting individuals beyond racial or ethnic characteristics. The use of "Brownie Queen" has diminished over time, reflecting growing awareness and critique of racial fetishization and the importance of respectful, consensual relationships that value individuals holistically.

Bubblebutt

Bubblebutt refers to a term used to describe someone who has a very round, protruding buttocks that is perceived as sexually attractive. This term is often used in a complimentary way and can apply to individuals of any gender identity. It highlights physical attractiveness and is commonly used in both casual and sexual contexts to denote admiration for one's body shape, particularly in how it relates to the buttocks being notably round and firm, resembling a bubble.

Bugger

Buggery

Bukkake

"Bukkake" is a term originating from Japanese adult entertainment that has permeated global adult lexicon. It describes a sexual activity where several individuals ejaculate on another person, usually as part of a group act. The term's use and cultural understanding vary widely and can be seen differently depending on the context and region discussing it. While it is primarily associated with adult content and practices, its acknowledgment in educational contexts like discussions on sexuality or pornographic literacy aims to broaden understanding of the diversity of sexual practices and the importance of consent, communication, and safe sexual health practices in all sexual activities. This term also highlights the impact of adult entertainment on global sexual culture and the ways in which practices from one culture can become known and interpreted in others.

Bull

"Bull" is often used to describe a dominant lesbian or queer person who takes on a more traditionally masculine role in relationships or sexual encounters. This term can also be used more broadly within BDSM contexts to describe a dominant partner, especially in cuckoldry scenarios where the Bull is the more dominant male having sex with a submissive female, often while her partner watches. However, its usage within lesbian or queer contexts emphasizes a blend of gender expression, sexual dynamics, and the subversion of traditional gender roles. It highlights the diversity and fluidity of roles and identities within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, challenging conventional perceptions of gender and sexuality.

Bull Dyke

A "Bull Dyke" is a term that traditionally refers to a lesbian who presents herself in a masculine way. This term can be both a self-identifier and a stereotype, depending on the context in which it is used. Historically, it has been employed pejoratively but has been reclaimed by some within the lesbian community as a point of pride, representing strength, independence, and a rejection of traditional gender norms. It speaks to the diversity of gender expression within the community, highlighting that femininity and masculinity are not confined to biological sex or heteronormativity. The reclamation of the term also reflects the broader movements within LGBTQIA+ culture towards embracing and celebrating identities that defy conventional expectations.

Burlesque

Burlesque is a form of performance that combines satire, parody, and exaggeration with striptease, dance, and theatricality. In the LGBTQIA+ context, burlesque serves as a powerful medium for exploring and expressing diverse gender identities, sexual orientations, and body positivities. It offers performers and audiences alike a space to challenge traditional norms of beauty, gender, and sexuality, celebrating diversity and fluidity through art. LGBTQIA+ burlesque shows often feature a wide range of performers including drag queens, drag kings, transgender individuals, and cisgender allies, all contributing to a vibrant and inclusive cultural expression. This art form not only entertains but also empowers participants and promotes visibility and acceptance for marginalized identities within the community.

Bussy

"Bussy" is a portmanteau of the words "boy" and "pussy," used particularly among gay and queer men, to refer to the anus. The term is colloquial and can range in use from humorous and light-hearted to erotic and explicit, depending on the context. It is part of a larger lexicon of queer slang that reimagines and reclaims language, giving unique expression to gay male sexuality and the body. While "bussy" is embraced by some for its playful subversion of gender and sexual norms, it is also subject to critique for reinforcing gender binaries or for its potential to offend based on its vulgarity and objectification. The term reflects the ongoing evolution of queer language and the diverse ways in which the LGBTQIA+ community negotiates identity, desire, and embodiment.

Butch

Butch is a term used to describe a person, usually a lesbian or a transgender man, who expresses themselves in a traditionally masculine way. This can include their choice of clothing, haircut, behaviors, and roles in relationships. Butch identity is about the embodiment of masculinity by those who may not conform to societal expectations based on their gender assigned at birth. It's a form of gender expression that challenges conventional gender norms and offers a space for individuals to live authentically according to their own understanding of their gender and sexuality. While historically associated with lesbian identity, butchness is embraced by a range of individuals across the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, highlighting the fluidity and diversity of gender expression.

Butch Dyke

Butch Dyke refers to a lesbian who identifies with and presents a traditionally masculine appearance and mannerisms. This identity is not just about fashion choices (like preferring short hair and clothing typically associated with men) but also encompasses a broader spectrum of gender expression and roles within relationships. Butch dykes may embrace qualities considered masculine by societal standards, challenging traditional notions of gender and sexuality. The term "dyke" has been reclaimed by many in the lesbian community as a term of strength and solidarity. However, it's important to use such terms with understanding and respect, as they can carry different connotations depending on the context and individual preference.

Butch Queen

A Butch Queen refers to a gay man who identifies with or presents traits typically associated with traditional masculinity, but who does not fully reject or distance themselves from their connection to the gay or queer community. Often used within the context of ballroom or drag culture, a Butch Queen might participate in events and competitions showcasing their ability to embody masculine aesthetics and personas while still engaging with and being part of LGBTQIA+ culture. The term can highlight the fluidity of gender expression and the diversity of identities within the gay community, acknowledging that masculinity can be performed and celebrated in various ways by individuals who do not conform to heterosexual norms.

🌈
No Results found.

The term you just searched isn't in our database.
Click the button below to submit this term to be added to our database.

Submit To Database
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

What's In The Pipeline

We have improvements in the works for this resource. Here's whats coming down the pipeline.

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.

Glossary Submission Form

Did we overlook something important or fail to meet expectations? We welcome the opportunity to evolve our terminology, challenge outdated perspectives, and engage in open dialogue to enhance our glossary. Please use this form to share your thoughts with us.

* Indicates required
🌈
Your submission has been received.
Our team will review it and reach out if we have any questions.
Thank you for your input!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.