LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Resources

Language that is specific to the LGBTQ+ community is a broad topic. People within the community might generally agree on the meaning of certain terms, however, language is a very personal thing, and as such it will hold different meanings and nuances to different people. Terms which originally carried negative connotations are sometimes reclaimed and used to self-identify. An example of a widely reclaimed word is queer, which is often used an an umbrella term to encompass many non-heterosexual identities.

While it is acceptable for people within the LGBTQ+ community to reclaim language when self-identifying, it is NOT appropriate for people outside of the community to assign those terms to others. It is always up to the individual to determine what language is appropriate for their own use. Want to learn more about LGBTQ+ specific language? The following links offer extensive glossaries of LGBTQ+ vocabulary terms.

https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-advice/faqs-and-glossary/list-lgbtq-terms

https://pflag.org/glossary

https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/publications/best-practices-for-serving-lgbtq-students/lgbtq-terms-definitions-the-acronym-and-beyond

https://homosaurus.org/v3