The term "Closet" refers to the condition of being closeted, which means not disclosing one's sexual orientation or gender identity to others, often due to fear of discrimination, prejudice, or social ostracization. Being "in the closet" can apply to any LGBTQIA+ individual who, for various reasons, chooses to keep their identity private or unknown in certain spheres of their life, such as at work, with family, or in public spaces. The process of coming out, which is the opposite of being in the closet, involves openly acknowledging and sharing one's LGBTQIA+ identity with others. The metaphor of the closet highlights the hidden or secretive nature of this experience, reflecting the pressures and challenges faced by many within the LGBTQIA+ community due to societal norms and stigmas.

Located in River Edge, New Jersey, Club Feathers is one of the state's oldest gay nightclubs, known for its vibrant atmosphere and strong sense of community. It provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQIA+ individuals to socialize, celebrate, and express themselves. The club features a variety of events, including drag shows, dance parties, and other themed nights that cater to the diverse interests of the LGBTQIA+ community. Club Feathers plays a crucial role in promoting LGBTQIA+ culture and providing a gathering place for community engagement and support.

Co-parent adoption refers to the legal process where a non-biological parent, often in same-sex relationships, legally adopts their partner’s biological or adopted child. This form of adoption ensures both partners have equal parental rights and responsibilities regardless of their biological connection to the child. It is particularly significant in the LGBTQIA+ community as it provides a way for both partners to be legally recognized as parents, offering security and stability for the family unit. This process is crucial for protecting parental rights in situations such as medical emergencies or the separation of the partners.

A cock ring, also known as a C-ring, is a sex toy used predominantly by men, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community. It is typically worn around the base of the penis and sometimes around the testicles to restrict blood flow, enhance erections, and prolong sexual activities. Cock rings are made from various materials such as silicone, leather, or metal, and can include features like vibration to enhance stimulation. They are used both for solo and partnered sexual activities, and are embraced in both heterosexual and homosexual contexts, often enhancing sexual performance and pleasure.

The term "Cocksucker" is often used derogatorily in various contexts, but within the LGBTQIA+ community, it can take on different connotations, depending on the situation and intent behind its use. Historically, it has been employed as a slur against gay men, contributing to stigma and discrimination. However, like many pejorative terms, it has been reclaimed by some within the LGBTQIA+ community as a means of empowerment or as a descriptor within consensual sexual dynamics, devoid of its negative implications. The reclamation of such terms is part of a broader movement within the community to subvert homophobic language and destigmatize expressions of queer sexuality. It's important to note that the acceptability and use of this term vary widely among individuals and contexts.

Code-switching refers to the practice of altering one's behavior, appearance, or manner of speech to adapt to different social settings or groups. Within the LGBTQIA+ community, code-switching often involves adjusting one’s expression or behavior to conform to heteronormative standards in certain environments to avoid discrimination, harassment, or for personal safety. This might include altering one's dress, mannerisms, or the way they talk about their relationships. LGBTQIA+ individuals may code-switch in professional settings, among family, or in public spaces to navigate social interactions more safely or comfortably. This practice highlights the challenges and pressures faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in various environments and underscores the importance of creating inclusive and accepting spaces where everyone can authentically be themselves without fear of judgment or harm.

In LGBTQIA+ slang, particularly within ballroom and drag subcultures, "coins" refers metaphorically to earning respect, applause, or recognition for one's performance or appearance. The term is akin to accruing figurative currency through showcasing talent, style, or charisma, often in competitive or performative settings. It highlights how well someone executes their performance or look, drawing enthusiastic approval from the audience or peers, akin to earning "points" or "praise." The usage of "coins" emphasizes success and approval in the highly stylized contexts of drag and ballroom events.

Coming out is the process of self-identifying and disclosing one's sexual orientation, gender identity, or both, to others. It can be a significant and personal journey for many LGBTQIA+ individuals, involving a wide range of experiences and emotions. Coming out is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that may occur multiple times over a person's life, depending on the social context and personal relationships. The experience varies greatly from person to person; it can be liberating and lead to a stronger sense of self for some, while for others, it can involve challenges such as rejection, discrimination, or conflict. The act of coming out has profound implications on personal and social identity, mental health and wellbeing, and the dynamics of personal relationships.

Coming Out Day, observed annually on October 11th, celebrates and supports the act of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ), or as an ally. It marks the day to raise awareness of the LGBTQ community and its civil rights movement, encouraging people who identify as LGBTQ to be proud of who they are and to share their stories. This day aims to foster a safer world where LGBTQ individuals can live truthfully and openly. Originating in the United States in 1988, Coming Out Day has gained international recognition, promoting acceptance, understanding, and the importance of coming out in reducing stigma and increasing visibility of LGBTQ people and issues. It underscores the significance of personal stories and experiences in advancing LGBTQ rights and fostering community solidarity.

Commando refers to the practice of not wearing underwear beneath one's outer clothing. This choice can be associated with comfort, sexual freedom, or a form of subtle exhibitionism. In the LGBTQIA+ community, going commando might also be a playful or provocative statement within certain social or intimate settings, serving as a symbol of rejecting constraints—both literal and metaphorical. This expression of personal freedom and body autonomy can be particularly meaningful in communities that value and celebrate diverse expressions of gender and sexuality.

Condoms are widely recognized within the LGBTQIA+ community not only as essential tools for sexual health and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV, but also as symbols of responsible sexual behavior and empowerment. Emphasized in numerous public health campaigns, condoms are crucial in efforts to advocate for safe sex practices within diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. This promotes a culture of safety and respect, aligning with broader goals of health and wellbeing in the LGBTQIA+ community.

Condoms Only refers to a sexual health practice advocating for the exclusive use of condoms to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV transmission during sexual activities. This term is often used in health communications and community discussions to promote safe sex practices that rely solely on condoms, distinguishing it from strategies that may include other forms of protection like PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or treatment as prevention (TasP).

Confirmatory adoption, also known as second-parent adoption, is a legal procedure undertaken by LGBTQIA+ families to ensure both partners in a same-sex couple have equal parental rights to their child. This process is especially important in jurisdictions where the non-biological parent’s relationship to the child is not automatically recognized by law. Confirmatory adoption confirms the parental status of the non-biological parent, safeguarding the parent-child relationship in legal, social, and medical contexts. It provides an additional layer of legal protection, ensuring that both parents have custody and decision-making rights for the child, irrespective of changes in marital status or residence.

Consensual refers to activities, especially sexual or romantic interactions, that all parties agree to voluntarily and without coercion. This concept is foundational to healthy relationships and sexual ethics, emphasizing respect, communication, and the autonomy of all individuals involved. Consent must be informed, meaning everyone involved understands the nature of the activity, and it must be enthusiastic, ongoing, and can be revoked at any time. In LGBTQIA+ communities, discussing and ensuring consent is crucial for safe and respectful interactions, considering the diverse ways in which individuals experience and express their identities and boundaries.

Constellation refers to the arrangement or configuration of relationships within polyamorous communities. This term captures the complexity and diversity of connections among individuals who engage in romantic, sexual, or deeply emotional relationships with multiple partners, with the consent and knowledge of all involved. A constellation can include any number of partners and may describe relationships that are hierarchical (with primary, secondary partners, etc.) or non-hierarchical, emphasizing the fluidity and individualized nature of polyamorous relationships. This concept highlights the importance of communication, consent, and ethical considerations in non-monogamous relationships, challenging traditional monogamous frameworks and offering alternative ways of understanding love and partnership.

A contract within the context of BDSM and kink subcultures, is a written agreement between participants in a BDSM or kink relationship or scene. Contrary to popular misconceptions partly spread by mainstream representations like "Fifty Shades of Grey," these contracts are not exclusive to 24/7 Master/slave dynamics but can be used in a variety of BDSM relationships to establish clear boundaries, expectations, safe words, limits, and roles. They serve as a tool for communication and consent, helping all parties to understand their obligations and the nature of their relationship. While these contracts hold significant emotional and ethical importance to those who use them, it's important to note they are not legally binding and would not be recognized by a court of law.

Conversion therapy refers to the discredited and harmful practice aimed at changing an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity to fit heterosexual or cisgender norms. Widely condemned by major medical, psychological, and professional organizations around the world, conversion therapy is based on the false premise that being LGBTQIA+ is a mental disorder that needs to be cured. This practice has been associated with severe psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Efforts to ban conversion therapy are part of a broader movement to affirm the rights and dignity of LGBTQIA+ individuals, recognizing the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities as natural variations of human identity.

Corporal punishment refers to a BDSM practice where a dominant partner disciplines a submissive partner through physical means such as spanking, paddling, or other forms of impact play. This practice is not solely about inflicting pain but is a consensual and negotiated aspect of BDSM dynamics that aims to correct behavior, fulfill a specific fetish, or enhance the power exchange in a scene. Submissives may provoke this punishment as part of the dynamic, seeking the physical sensation, emotional release, or deepening of their submission. While it involves physical discipline, safety, consent, and pre-negotiated limits are paramount to ensure the wellbeing of all parties involved.

Cottaging refers to the practice of engaging in sexual activity in public restrooms. This term is primarily used in the United Kingdom and some other regions. Historically, it has been a part of gay male culture, often arising from the necessity for discreet spaces where gay men could meet and engage with each other, especially during times when homosexual acts were illegal or heavily stigmatized. The term originates from the British slang for public toilets, "cottages," which became known as venues for anonymous sexual encounters. While cottaging reflects a part of LGBTQIA+ history and social dynamics, it also intersects with legal and safety issues, reflecting broader themes of privacy, public space, and the evolution of social attitudes towards LGBTQIA+ individuals.

Crash landing is a term used within the transgender community to describe the experience of being rejected or disqualified by a clinical sex change program. This rejection is typically based on assessments of "gender role inappropriateness" or being "somatically inappropriate," which refers to the individual's perceived failure to conform to traditional gender role expectations or their physical characteristics not aligning with conventional medical standards for gender transition. This term highlights the challenges and barriers that transgender individuals can face in accessing necessary medical treatments and the rigid standards often imposed by the medical community regarding gender identity and expression.

Creampie refers to a sexual act that involves ejaculation inside the partner’s body without the use of a barrier method of contraception, such as a condom. The term is often used in discussions about sexual health, preferences, and practices within the community, especially regarding consensual activities and the risks associated with sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

The Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994 is a significant piece of legislation in the United Kingdom that, among other things, affected the LGBTQIA+ community by lowering the age of consent for homosexual acts to 18, which was still higher than the age of consent for heterosexual acts at that time. This act was a step towards equalizing the age of consent for all, regardless of sexual orientation, although full equality was not achieved until later amendments. The legislation also included measures that impacted public demonstrations and squatters, but its relevance to the LGBTQIA+ community lies in its modification of laws that had historically criminalized homosexual behavior. This change was part of a broader movement towards more equitable treatment under the law for LGBTQIA+ individuals, reflecting evolving social attitudes and the activism of the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

A cross-dresser (CD) is a person who wears clothing and often makeup and accessories typically associated with a gender different from their gender assigned at birth, primarily for reasons unrelated to sexual expression. This practice is a form of gender expression and is not necessarily tied to an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. Cross-dressing can be done for various reasons, including but not limited to, self-expression, comfort, entertainment, and breaking societal gender norms. It is important to distinguish cross-dressing from being transgender; cross-dressers do not necessarily wish to live as a different gender from their assigned at birth. The term aims to respect and understand the diversity within gender expressions, highlighting that clothing and appearance are just one aspect of a person's identity.

Cross-dressing refers to the act of wearing clothing and adopting gender expressions that differ from the individual's gender identity assigned at birth. It is a form of gender expression rather than an indication of sexual orientation. People may engage in cross-dressing for various reasons, including self-expression, performance, personal comfort, and exploring gender identity. It's important to note that cross-dressing does not necessarily imply transgender identity; many cross-dressers are comfortable with their assigned gender but enjoy expressing themselves through the attire traditionally associated with the opposite gender.

Cruising is a practice where individuals seek out others for casual sexual encounters, often in public spaces. This activity is characterized by non-verbal communication and signals understood within the community, facilitating connections without explicit discussions. Cruising locations can include parks, restrooms, beaches, and certain urban areas known within the community for these activities. It's important to note that cruising, as a social behavior, reflects both the desire for intimacy and the historical need for discretion due to societal stigma and legal restrictions on LGBTQIA+ expressions of sexuality.