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2SLGBTQIA+ is an acronym that means:

 

2Spirit                                  + Pansexual
Lesbian                                + Agender
Gay                                      + Gender Queer
Bisexual                               + Bigender
Transgender                        + Gender Variant
Queer                                   + Pangender
Questioning
Intersex
Asexual



You may also hear the terms “Queer Community” or “Rainbow Community” used to describe 2SLGBTQIA+ people. This acronym and the various terms are always evolving so don’t try to memorize the list. The most important thing is to be respectful and use the terms that people prefer.

LGBTQ OutLoud Common Terms Video:

LGBTQ OutLoud is a DVD documentary produced by Camino Wellbeing + Mental Health and the Waterloo Region District School Board in 2010.

 

Word & Definition:

Lesbian

A woman who experiences romantic or sexual attraction to only or mostly other women.

Gay

Gay is a term that typically refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. Gay is often used to describe a man who is romantically or sexually attracted to only or mostly other men. Lesbians may also be referred to as gay.

Bisexual

Bisexuality is romantic, emotional or sexual attraction toward more than one gender, or ones own gender and other genders.

Transgender

Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender differs from what they were assigned at birth. It is sometimes abbreviated to trans.

Two-Spirit

Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous people on Turtle Island (what is referred to as North American) to describe gender-variant individuals in their communities. It is a term that should only be used by Indigenous people.

Queer

Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender minorities that are not heterosexual or cisgender. It has been reclaimed by the community, but because the word queer was originally used pejoratively against those with same-sex desires, not everyone is comfortable with the word queer.

Questioning

The questioning of one’s gender and/or sexuality is a process of exploration by people who may be unsure, still exploring, or concerned about applying a social label to themselves for various reasons.

Intersex

Intersex is socially constructed category that reflects a variation in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not seem to fit into typical definitions of male or female.

Asexual

An asexual person is someone who may not experience sexual attraction to anyone, or has a low or absent interest in sexual activity.

Pansexual

Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction toward people of any sex or gender identity.

Agender

Agender people may identify as having no gender or being without any gender identity. This category includes a very broad range of identities which do not conform to traditional gender norms.

Gender Queer

Gender Queer is an umbrella term for gender identities that are not exclusively masculine or feminine—identities which are outside of the gender binary.