Lesbian: A woman who is attracted to other women
Gay: A man who is attracted to other men
Bisexual: A person who is attracted to two or more genders
Trans or transgender: A person who does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth. This includes people who identify outside the gender binary, for example non-binary and gender fluid people
Queer: Can be used to refer to one's gender identity and/or sexual orientation. It is sometimes used as an umbrella term for LGBT+ identities, but also references a radical politics which rejects heteronormativity as well as labels and norms which create hierarchies within the LGBT+ communities.
The word 'queer' has been used against LGBT+ people as a slur but was reclaimed in the 80s. As a community we must therefore hold space both for people who have a complex and difficult relationship to the term and those who self-identify with it
Intersex: Refers to people whose biological attributes don't fit societal definitions of 'male' and 'female'. The term does not reference gender (although many intersex people are assigned binary gender at birth), as intersex people can identify with any gender
Ace: An umbrella terms which refers to people who experience no or varying levels of sexual and/or romantic attraction, for example people who identify as asexual and/or aromantic. Demis and gray-As usually refer to people with varying levels of sexual and/or romantic attraction
Pansexual: A person who feels attraction to people regardless of gender.
+: The + recognises that there are more ways to identify and describe gender and sexuality beyond the acronym. While the above are common terms used to self-identify gender and sexuality in the English language, the world is and has always been a place of diverse sexualities and gender identities.
Depression or self-harm ideation is heightening amongst LGBT people. This may be due to experiences of discrimination, homophobia or transphobia, bullying, social isolation, or rejection because of their sexuality.
Other things, such as their age, religion, where they live, and their ethnicity can add extra complications to an already difficult situation.
