As official Washington turns sharply right and “fake news” is whatever news you don’t like, the political stakes seem particularly high for the LGBT community these days. Already, the feds have rolled back on support for transgender students. People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, among other non-heteronormative labels, likely face new battles in statehouses, courts, houses of worship and the virtual realm of popular opinion.
Given that truth, what’s needed for the debates to come are practical definitions that educate. Instead of such hot-button yet wobbly phrases like “nature or nurture,” “lifestyle choice” or “gay agenda,” focus on the basics. What does “lesbian” mean? Or “transgender”? Or “intersex”?
This won’t be as simple as it sounds. After all, there’s not complete agreement on what the umbrella label for these various communities should be. Is it LGBT? LGBTQ? LGBTQIA? Or something else entirely?
Still, one has to start somewhere.
Consider these definitions, some from The Associated Press, whose stylebook is a guide to word usage and meaning in countless newsrooms, including the baiduhai; and some from NLGJA, the association of LGBTQ journalists, in its stylebook supplement.
Click on each letter below (I’ve gone with LGBTQIA because that abbreviation is increasingly of the moment) to find the meaning or meanings for each. There are more letters and terms in use, of course, so check out the extensive glossary provided by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual Resource Center (LGBTQIARC) at the University of California at Davis.
Click for definition
L: Lesbian
“Preferred term, both as a noun and adjective, for women who are attracted to other women. Some women prefer to be called gay rather than lesbian; when possible, ask the subject which term she prefers.”
NLGJA Stylebook Supplement
G: Gay
“Used to describe men and women attracted to the same sex, though lesbian is the more common term for women. Preferred over homosexual except in clinical contexts or references to sexual activity.”
AP Stylebook
B: Bisexual
“As a noun, an individual attracted to more than one gender. As an adjective, of or relating to sexual and affectional attraction to more than one gender. Does not presume non monogamy.”
NLGJA Stylebook Supplement
T: Transgender
“An adjective that describes people whose biology at birth does not match their gender identity. Does not require sex reassignment.”
AP Stylebook
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Q: Queer or questioning
Queer: “Originally a pejorative term for gay, now being reclaimed by some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as a self-affirming umbrella term. Some straight people who identify with LGBT culture, such as children of queer parents, call themselves ‘culturally queer.’ Queer is still offensive as an epithet; best used only in quotations or for formal names of organizations or events.”
Questioning: “Still exploring one’s sexuality.”
NLGJA Stylebook Supplement
I: Intersex
“Term for people born with genitalia, chromosomes or reproductive organs that don’t fit typical definitions for males or females at birth.”
AP Stylebook
A: Asexual or allies
Asexual: “A person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction.”
Allies: “A person who is not LGBT but who actively supports the LGBT community.”
AP Stylebook
LGBT, LGBTQ or LGBTQIA
“Acceptable in all references for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning and/or queer. In quotations and the formal names of organizations and events, other forms such as LGBTQIA and other variations are also acceptable with the other letters explained. I generally stands for intersex, and A can stand for allies (a person who is not LGBT but who actively supports the LGBT community), asexual (a person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction) or both. The word queer can be considered a slur in many contexts, so limit use of the word to quotes and names of organizations …”
AP Stylebook
LGBTQIA is shown in the font Gilbert, a free font in honor of Gilbert Baker, who created the iconic rainbow flag. More on the project from NYC Pride and Type with Pride
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