Let’s Talk PRIDE

Pride Month takes place every June across the world, in celebration of self-identity, inclusivity, and equity. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people collectively. Queer is an umbrella term for non-straight people; intersex refers to those whose sex is not clearly defined because of genetic, hormonal, or biological differences; and asexual describes those who don’t experience sexual attraction. These terms may also include gender-fluid people or those whose gender identity shifts over time or depending on the situation.

The original Pride month organizers chose this month to pay homage to the Stonewall uprising in June 1969 in New York City, which helped spark the modern gay rights movement. In June 2000, President Bill Clinton officially designated June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month, in recognition of the Stonewall Riots and gay activism throughout the years. A more-inclusive name was chosen in 2009 by President Barack Obama: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.

Despite the progress made since Stonewall, the LGTBQIA+ community continues to face oppression, harassment, violence, and a flood of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation daily.

To facilitate respectful conversations and provide a better understanding of the various terminology used by the queer community, we have collated a list of basic queer terminology from GLAAD. Please note, this is not a comprehensive glossary of trans terminology. Please view the resources on this page for more information.

Gay, Lesbian, and Bi

Terms to Use	Examples	Terms to Avoid	Explanation
gay (adj.) lesbian (n. or adj.) bi (adj.) bisexual (adj., if needed on first reference for clarity)	“gay people” “gay man/men” “lesbian couple” “bi men and women” “He is gay.” / ”She is a lesbian.” / “He is bi.”	“homosexual” “gay” (n.)	Gay is an adjective, not a noun; it is sometimes used as a shorthand term encompassing gay, lesbian and bisexual orientations (though not transgender people or gender identity). Also, while many lesbians may identify as gay, the term lesbian(s) is clearer when talking only about a woman or women.
Being gay Openly gay	“She talked about being gay.” “She is openly lesbian.” / “He is openly bi.”	“homosexuality” “lesbianism” “That’s so gay.” (a hurtful slur) “...admitted he was gay”	Talking about a person’s “homosexuality” can, in some cases, reduce the life of that person to purely sexual terms. Talk about being gay instead. The term “admitted” suggests prior deception or that being gay is shameful.
orientation sexual orientation (on first reference, if needed for clarity)	“a person’s orientation” “Sexual orientation can be a complex topic. A person’s orientation is…”	“sexual preference” “gay lifestyle” “homosexual lifestyle” “same-sex attractions” “sexual identity”	“sexual preference” is used by anti-gay activists to suggest that being gay is a choice, and therefore can be changed or “cured.” Similarly, the term “gay lifestyle” is used to stigmatize gay people and suggest that their lives should be viewed only through a sexual lens.
gay and transgender lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (if needed for clarity)	“laws that protect gay and transgender people”	“LGBT” (when talking with those who are unfamiliar with the issues or not yet supportive)	The abbreviation “LGBT” can be confusing and alienating for those who are unfamiliar with the issues or not yet supportive—though it is essential when talking to LGBT and strongly supportive audiences. For many media and mainstream audiences, the term gay and transgender is more accessible without being overwhelming.

Transgender

The term “transgender” refers to people whose gender identity (the sense of gender that every person feels inside) or gender expression is different from the sex that was assigned to them at birth. At some point in their lives, transgender people decide they must live their lives as the gender they have always known themselves to be, and often transition to living as that gender.

Terms to Use	Examples	Terms to Avoid	Explanation
gay (adj.) lesbian (n. or adj.) bi (adj.) bisexual (adj., if needed on first reference for clarity)	“gay people” “gay man/men” “lesbian couple” “bi men and women” “He is gay.” / ”She is a lesbian.” / “He is bi.”	“homosexual” “gay” (n.)	Gay is an adjective, not a noun; it is sometimes used as a shorthand term encompassing gay, lesbian and bisexual orientations (though not transgender people or gender identity). Also, while many lesbians may identify as gay, the term lesbian(s) is clearer when talking only about a woman or women.
Being gay Openly gay	“She talked about being gay.” “She is openly lesbian.” / “He is openly bi.”	“homosexuality” “lesbianism” “That’s so gay.” (a hurtful slur) “...admitted he was gay”	Talking about a person’s “homosexuality” can, in some cases, reduce the life of that person to purely sexual terms. Talk about being gay instead. The term “admitted” suggests prior deception or that being gay is shameful.
orientation sexual orientation (on first reference, if needed for clarity)	“a person’s orientation” “Sexual orientation can be a complex topic. A person’s orientation is…”	“sexual preference” “gay lifestyle” “homosexual lifestyle” “same-sex attractions” “sexual identity”	“sexual preference” is used by anti-gay activists to suggest that being gay is a choice, and therefore can be changed or “cured.” Similarly, the term “gay lifestyle” is used to stigmatize gay people and suggest that their lives should be viewed only through a sexual lens.
gay and transgender lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (if needed for clarity)	“laws that protect gay and transgender people”	“LGBT” (when talking with those who are unfamiliar with the issues or not yet supportive)	The abbreviation “LGBT” can be confusing and alienating for those who are unfamiliar with the issues or not yet supportive—though it is essential when talking to LGBT and strongly supportive audiences. For many media and mainstream audiences, the term gay and transgender is more accessible without being overwhelming.