List of gay terms

Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary. 

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*NOTE:  Inquire people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender culture and gender phrase before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
 

LGBTQ
Acronym for lesbian, same-sex attracted, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of thi

The Guysexual’s Urban Dictionary for Gay Slang

What’s the shelf life of a clearance sale shirt? What’s the expiry date on a Grindr hookup? Do potatoes count as carbs? If you feel like a potato, are you a carb?  Do you require to kick your junk food habits out on the curb (no pun intended)? Are moccasins improved than brogues? More importantly, what is a brogue?

When you are gay human, you’ll always be packed of questions (when you are not full of self-doubt, that is) — but this is , and some questions, while basic, — will always be more important than the others.

Take a scant of these as an example.

Don’t know whether you are a top or a bottom? Do you feel it’s rude (and very inappropriate) when someone asks you whether you are a slave? Include you always wondered why your friends laughed at you when you said you lovedvanilla? Are you surprised that people could be that into otters? More importantly, what is an otter?

It’s , and it’s time for you to get with the times. Whether you are an out-and-proud gay dude or an in-the-closet newbie, your dictionary of same-sex attracted slan

Glossary of Terms

Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or statement because it feels taboo, or because they’re terrified of saying the incorrect thing. 

This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more easy . LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.

Ally | A designation used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the Gay community who support each other (e.g., a womxn loving womxn who is an ally to the bisexual community).

Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual action with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may life no, little or conditional sexual attraction.

Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with

LGBTQIA+ Slurs and Slang

TermContextual noteTime/Region Referencesace queens term meaning “great queen”. Prison slang for a dude who wears a more “feminine” look i.e. shaved legs, plucked eyebrows. May be described as part of incarcerated homosexual identity. Should not be confused with the more widely-used term "ace," a shortening of "asexual." Observe "asexual." UK, USA, s Mosca de Colores – Gay Dictionary alphabet peopleOffensive contemporary term for LGBTQ+ people, often used by right-wing people reacting to perceived advancements in LGBTQ+ people's rights. s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - bathroom queen

bog queen

Gay slang expression for people who frequent public toilets looking for sexual encounters.

Synonyms: Bathsheba (composition between bathroom and Sheba to build a name reminiscent of the Queen of Sheba), Ghost (50s, ghost, because they wander the corridors of the bathroom).

USA, UK Mosca de Colores – Gay Dictionary batting for the other teamA euphemistic phrase indicating that someone (of any gender) is gay. T