Assigned Sex
Intersex: A general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with
anatomy that doesn’t fit the “typical” definitions of female or male. Intersex is a
socially constructed category (as are “female” and “male”) that reflects real
biological variation. Intersex babies are almost always assigned male or female.
Sex: The assignment and classification of people as male, female, or intersex at birth
often based on physical anatomy at birth.
AFAB: Assigned Female at Birth; sometimes written as CAFAB, coercively assigned female at
birth.
AMAB: Assigned Male at Birth; sometimes written as CAMAB, coercively assigned male at birth.
ASAB/AGAB: Assigned Sex/Gender at Birth
Gender
Cisgender: A term describing someone whose gender matches the sex they were
assigned at birth; not transgender. “Cisgender” is not derogatory. Cisgender and
cis are interchangeable.
Cis woman: Assigned female at birth, is a woman
Cis man: Assigned male at birth, is a man
Dead Name: The name given to a trans person at birth that the person no longer uses.
Not all trans people change their name.
Dead-naming: The act of using someone’s dead name. Dead-naming invalidates their
gender and
induces dysphoria/anxiety.
Dysphoria: A medical term for the conflict between a person's assigned sex and their
gender. People with dysphoria are sometimes uncomfortable with their body and/or with
the gender expectations of their assigned sex.
Gender: An individual’s gender is their self-identified sense of being a woman, a man,
another gender, a combination of genders, or no gender.
Gender Binary: An artificial division of the world into things and people that are
"masculine" and "feminine.” The gender binary asserts that there are two
genders that are opposite and mutually exclusive.
Gender Confirmation Surgeries: Can refer to any surgeries that a trans person
undergoes as part of their transition. This term should be used instead of sex
reassignment surgery.
Gender Expression/Presentation: External manifestations of gender, expressed
through a person's name, pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, etc. What is
considered masculine, feminine, and androgynous changes over time and varies
by culture.
Gender Nonconforming (GNC): Describes someone whose appearance and/or
behavior do not reflect the gender roles expected of them. Not a synonym for
nonbinary.
HRT: Hormone Replacement Therapy; can be a part of transitioning, but isn’t a
requirement.
Misgendering: To use the wrong pronouns for someone or to refer to them as a gender
they are not.
Nonbinary: Any gender which does not fit the male/female binary. Some examples of
nonbinary genders include agender, androgynous, genderfluid, genderqueer, and
nonbinary. Not all nonbinary people identify as transgender, but many do.
Passing: This term refers to a trans person going through life without others assuming
they are trans. The term is problematic because "passing" implies "passing as
something you're not." Passing should only be referred to as a concept., and not
used to categorize a person
Transgender: Encompassing term of gender identities of those who do not identify or
do not exclusively identify with their sex assigned at birth. The term transgender
is not indicative of sexual orientation, hormones, anatomy, or how one is
perceived.
Trans woman: Assigned male at birth, is a woman.
Trans man: Assigned female at birth, is a man.
Nonbinary: Assigned either male or female at birth, isn’t a man or a woman (see above).
MTF: Male-to-female; describes trans women; potentially offensive—implies trans women were
once “male.”
FTM: Female-to-male; describes trans men; potentially offensive—implies trans men were once
“female.”
Transition: A person’s process of developing and assuming a gender expression to
match their gender. Transitioning can include changing one’s name, HRT, and
various surgeries. Transitioning is a different process for everyone and is
self-defined.
Transphobia: A dislike, hatred, sense of disgust, or fear related to trans people.
Transphobic beliefs and practices are a source of anxiety, violence, and systemic
discrimination.
Sexuality
Aromantic (Aro): An identity to describe an individual who does not experience
romantic attraction. Each aromantic person experiences things like relationships,
attraction, and arousal differently. Aromantic people are not necessarily asexual,
can be attracted to one or more genders, and do not always refrain from
committed relationships.
Asexual (Ace): An individual who does not experience sexual attraction. Each asexual
person experiences things like relationships, attraction, and arousal differently.
Asexual people are not necessarily aromantic, can be attracted to one or more
genders, and do not always refrain from committed relationships.
Bisexual (Bi): A person who is attracted to their gender and at least one other gender
(can be attracted to all genders). Being bisexual does not imply a belief in the
gender binary.
Biphobia: A dislike, hatred, sense of disgust, or fear related to bi people. Biphobic
beliefs and practices are a source of anxiety, violence, and systemic
discrimination.
Compulsory Heterosexuality: The idea that society enforces and produces
heterosexuality to the extent that some gay people do not know they are gay or
assume they are straight/attracted to a different gender (i.e. being heterosexual
compulsively, by default).
A term coined by lesbian activist and poet Adrienne Rich.
Gay: A person who is attracted to people of the same/similar gender. Some lesbians,
bisexual, and pansexual people refer to themselves as gay, others do not.
Heterosexual/Straight: Men who are attracted to women; women who are attracted to
men; some individuals who are nonbinary or are attracted to nonbinary people
may identify as straight.
Homophobia: A dislike, hatred, sense of disgust, or fear related to gay people.
Homophobic beliefs and practices are a source of anxiety, violence, and systemic
discrimination.
Lesbian: Women who are attracted to other women. Can include nonbinary people.
Lesbophobia: A dislike, hatred, sense of disgust, or fear related to lesbians.
Lesbophobic beliefs and practices are a source of anxiety, violence, and
systemic discrimination.
This form of prejudice often manifests as a combination of misogyny and
homophobia.
Pansexual: A person who is attracted to people of all genders.
Note: Bi people may also be attracted to people of all genders. The labels that
individuals choose are their own to decide.
Questioning: A term used to describe those who are in a process of discovery and
exploration about their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or
a combination thereof.
Sexuality: A person’s identity in relation to the gender(s) to which they are identified.
Sexuality is fluid, and is self-identified.
Other
Cross-Dressing: The act of dressing and presenting as a different gender. Not
indicative of one’s sexuality or gender, nor does it imply eroticism. Because trans
people are their gender, not “dressing as another gender,” this term does not
apply to trans people.
Drag: Exaggerated, theatrical, and/or performative gender presentation. Although most
commonly used to refer to cross-dressing performers (drag queens and drag
kings), anyone of any gender can do any form of drag. Not indicative of assigned
sex, gender, or sexuality.
Queer: Often used as a catch-all for the LGBT community, or for individuals who do not
identify with a specific sexual orientation, but do not identify as straight.
Some individuals within the community consider the word to be a slur, so it
should only be used when describing individuals who claim the term.
Two Spirit: A term that unifies various gender/sexual identities and expressions of
Native American/First Nations/Indigenous individuals. It’s not a specific definition
of gender or sexuality, but a culturally specific term that means different things to
different tribes and individuals. Gender and sexuality, as we conceive of them,
are products of colonialism, making it impossible to fully understand “Two Spirit”
using the modern language of the colonizers. Non-Native people cannot claim
this identity.
Outdated Terms
Outdated terms are words that are generally considered offensive, but were used
historically. Some people today may identify with these terms, which should be
respected. They may be used to refer to individuals who actively identify with them, but
should not be used in general.
Hermaphrodite: Potentially offensive term used to refer to intersex people.
Homosexual: Potentially offensive term used to refer to gay people.
Transsexual: Potentially offensive term used to refer to transgender people.
Transsexual often, though not always, implies medical transition.
Transvestite: Potentially offensive term to describe someone who is a cross-dresser.
Do not use this term to describe someone who is transgender.
Slurs
Slurs are words that can be reclaimed within their respective communities, but should
not be used by people who are outside of those communities for any reason—even if
someone within them gives you “permission.” They have historical weight and
backgrounds, and are used to hurt and dehumanize already marginalized folks.
Dyke: A slur for lesbians.
Faggot/Fag: A slur for gay men.
It: A slur when used as a pronoun for a trans person (who doesn’t use “it” pronouns).
Shemale/he-she/shim: Slurs for trans people, especially trans women.
Tranny: A slur for trans people, especially trans women.