Whether you’re a seasoned Pride veteran or just starting your journey of discovery, this informative Pride alphabet is here to help you navigate the vibrant world of LGBTQ+ terminology. From Asexual to Ze/Hir, we’ve got you covered with everything you need to celebrate and understand the wonderful spectrum of identities and expressions that make up our community.
So, grab your rainbow flag and let’s dive into this colourful Pride alphabet!
A
- Ally: A person who supports and advocates for the LGBTQ+ community
- Asexual: A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others
B
- Bisexual: A person who is attracted to both men and women
- Binding: The process of flattening one’s chest, often used by transgender men and non-binary individuals
C
- Cisgender: A person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth
- Coming Out: The process of revealing one’s LGBTQ+ identity to others
D
- Drag: The performance of one or multiple genders theatrically, often by wearing exaggerated clothing and makeup
E
- Enby: A colloquial term for non-binary, referring to a person who does not identify strictly as male or female
F
- Family: A term used within the LGBTQ+ community to signify camaraderie and support, often referring to chosen families
G
- Gay: A person who is attracted to members of the same sex; often used to describe men
- Genderqueer: A gender identity that is not exclusively masculine or feminine
H
- Heteronormativity: The assumption that heterosexuality is the default or normal sexual orientation
- Homophobia: Prejudice or discrimination against homosexual people
I
- Intersex: A person born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female
J
- June: Pride Month, celebrated in June to honour the Stonewall Riots
K
- Kink: A broad term encompassing a variety of unconventional sexual practices; not specific to LGBTQ+ but relevant to many within the community
L
- Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women
M
- Marriage Equality: The legal recognition of same-sex marriage
- MTF (Male to Female): A term describing a person who transitions from male to female
N
- Non-binary: A person who does not identify strictly as male or female.
- Neopronouns: New (neo) pronouns such as xe/xem or ze/hir used by some non-binary individuals
O
- Outing: Revealing someone else’s LGBTQ+ identity without their consent
P
- Pansexual: A person who is attracted to others regardless of their gender identity or biological sex
- Pride: Celebrations and events that promote the self-affirmation, dignity, and equality of LGBTQ+ people
Q
- Queer: An umbrella term used to describe a range of sexual orientations and gender identities outside of heterosexual and cisgender
- Questioning: A person who is exploring or uncertain about their sexual orientation or gender identity
R
- Rainbow Flag: A symbol of LGBTQ+ pride
- Representation: The presence and portrayal of LGBTQ+ individuals in media, politics, and other public spheres
S
- Stonewall Riots: A series of protests in 1969 that marked a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement
- Sexual Orientation: Describes a person’s physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to others
T
- Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth
- Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous cultures in North America to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits
U
- Umbrella Term: A broad term that encompasses a range of identities or concepts, such as LGBTQ+
V
- Visibility: The act of being seen and acknowledged, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ individuals and issues
W
- Womxn: An alternative spelling of “women” that aims to include transgender, non-binary, and women of colour
X
- Xenogender: A gender identity that cannot be contained by human understandings of gender, often described in relation to other concepts like space or nature
Y
- Youth: LGBTQ+ youth often face unique challenges, including higher rates of homelessness and mental health issues
Z
- Ze/Hir: Gender-neutral pronouns used by some non-binary individuals
And there you have it – the A-Z of Pride! We hope you enjoyed this fun and enlightening stroll through the vibrant lexicon of the LGBTQ+ world. Remember, Pride is all about celebrating diversity, spreading love, and embracing everyone for who they truly are. Keep this glossary handy as you continue to learn and support each other on this fabulous journey.
Happy Pride, and may your days be as bright and colourful as the rainbow! 🌈
Enjoyed our Pride alphabet and want to read more Pride-related content? Check out our LGBTQ+ glossary.