Transgender another word
LGBTIQA+ Library Guide
Organisation of the glossary
This glossary contains commonly used terms related to sexuality, gender identity and gender expression. It is organised alphabetically, with terms linked to their antonym, synonyms, or closely related terms.
Antonym - contrary meaning or counterpart (e.g. Transgender/Cisgender)
Synonym - same meaning (Homosexual/Gay)
Closely connected term - Terms that hold different meanings, but may arise in similar contexts (Nutrois/Non-binary)
Please note, the terms included in this glossary are not meant to be exhaustive. The language used by LGBTIQA+ communities to illustrate themselves and their experiences are constantly evolving and brand-new terms or usages can quickly gain currency. If in doubt, always defer to people with LGBTIQA+ lived experience when using language that describes them.
This glossary is loosely based on the Glossary produced by the UC Davis LGBTQIA Resource Centre.
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re nervous of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to aide make conversations easier and more easy . LGBTQ+ people utilize a variety of terms to detect themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always monitor for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Gay people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as good as those within the LGBTQ+ collective who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for limited, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual task with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The terror and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who affectionate and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | A person emotiona
Terminology
The following terms will serve you navigate terminology used throughout this resource. Please note that these definitions are not exhaustive. The terms defined below are meant as a starting point in understanding.
Ally: Supporter or advocate for the lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender community. Being an ally is about using inclusive language, showing respect and support for your colleagues and in this case, members of the LGBT community through your actions and your words. Typically, allies to sapphic, gay and bisexual people are straight and allies to transgender people are cisgender.
Cisgender: A term for people whose gender individuality, expression or behavior aligns with those typically connected with their assigned sex at birth. Cis- is the Latin prefix, definition ‘on the same side’, to Trans- which means ‘across from.’ It is the accepted term for people who are “not transgender.”
Gender: The term “gender,” while often used interchangeably with “sex,” refers specifically to the behavioral, cultural, psychological or social traits typically associated with one sex, rather than physiological characteristics.
Gender Expression: A person’s external characteri
A guide to transgender terms
Transsexual
This is a term used by some people who permanently change their bodies, usually, but not always, using hormones or surgery. But some people who go through this process - known as the "transition" - prefer to be known simply as transgender, rather than transsexual. It's best to question which people prefer.
Non-binary
Non-binary people are those who don't feel male or female. They may feel enjoy both or like something in between. They may have a gender that changes over time or they may not relate to gender at all.
Cisgender
This describes someone who is not transgender. For instance, someone who is named a boy at birth and continues to exist as a man would be cisgender. This covers the majority of the population, external.
"He" or "she"?
Using the appropriate pronouns when talking to someone who is transgender works on the basis of respect for the individual. Generally the name the person chooses to use indicates their gender preference. So, a transgender person called Steve would be referred to as "he", while another called Rachel would be "she". But if you are unsure,
For additional tips on creating stories about transgender people, please see In Focus: Transgender People If you are searching information about how to create trans and nonbinary characters for film, TV, theater, video games, etc., please study GLAAD’s TRANSform Hollywood guide or contact the GLAAD Media Institute via press@glaad.org. More resources for content creators may be found at glaad.org/transgender.
Glossary of Terms: Transgender
In order to understand many of the terms used by transgender and nonbinary people, it is necessary to understand the difference between sex at birth, gender, self, and gender phrase – and how those three things are not the same as sexual orientation. Therefore, those four terms are defined first, and then additional terminology used by gender non-conforming and nonbinary people follows.
Sex at Birth
Infants are assigned a sex at birth, “male” or “female,” based on the appearance of their external anatomy, and an M or an F is written on the birth certificate. However, the progress of the human body is a complex process, and sex is not solely determined by anatomy, nor is it strictly binary. As many as 1.7% of people are