Important Terms

Thanks to Equus for allowing us to share this content with you.

Queer

A word that describes the spectrum of sexual and gender identities other than straight and cisgender. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, and transgender people may all be under the umbrella term of ‘queer. An adjective used by some people whose sexual orientation is not exclusively heterosexual. Typically, for those who identify as queer, the terms lesbian, gay, and bisexual are perceived to be too limiting and/or fraught with cultural connotations they feel don’t apply to them. Some people may use queer, or genderqueer, to describe their gender identity and/or gender expression. Once considered a pejorative term, queer has been reclaimed by some LGBTQ people to describe themselves; however, it is not a universally accepted term even within the LGBTQ community.

Gay

The adjective used to describe people whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions are to people of the same gender. Sometimes lesbian is the preferred term for women.

Cisgender

A cisgender person’s gender identity is consitant with their sex assigned at birth. It’s an adjective to describe gender identity.

Non-binary

An adjective describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do.

Gender Non-conforming

An umbrella term for gender identities that are neither male nor female-identities that are outside the gender binary of male/female.

Hetero-normative

The pervasive view that being cisgender and heterosexual is the norm and everything else is a deviation.

Bisexual

A person who has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of another gender People may experience this attraction in differing ways and degrees over their lifetime. Bisexual people need not have had specific sexual experiences to be bisexual; in fact, they need not have had any sexual experience at all to identify as bisexual.

LGBTQIA

(also written as LGBTQ+) Denotes the entire spectrum of queer identities. Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans, Queer (or Questioning), Intersex and Asexual.

Questioning

Sometimes, when the ‘Q’ is seen at the end of LGBT, it can also mean Questioning. This term describes someone who is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Asexual

Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual activity it may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack

Pansexual

Pansexuality is sexual, romantic, or emotional attraction towards people regardless of their sex or gender identity Pansexual people may refer to themselves as gender-blind, asserting that gender and sex are not determining factors in their romantic or sexual attraction to others.

Pan-romantic

An umbrella term for gender identities that are neither male nor female-identities that are outside the gender binary of male/female.

Homo-romantic

Having romantic feelings in queer settings or with those who are the same gender.

Homosexual

Having sexual attraction to members of the same gender.

Demi-sexual

Demisexuality is a sexual orientation in which someone feels sexual attraction only to people with whom they have a strong and meaningful emotional bond. Most demisexuals feel sexual attraction rarely compared to the general population, and some have little to no interest in sexual activity.

Demi-romantic

Someone with a lack of romantic attraction, desire or need for an intimate or physical nature.

Transgender

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differs from what is typically associated cultural expectations of the sex they were assigned at birth. People under the transgender umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms-including transgender. Many transgender people are prescribed hormones by their doctors to bring their bodies into alignment with their gender identity. Some undergo surgery as well. But not all transgender people can or will take those steps, and a transgender identity is not dependent upon physical appearance or medical procedures. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc. Transgender is an adjective when describing gender, same with the term cis.

Intersex

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (such as genitals, gonads, and chromosome patterns) that “do not fit the typical medical definitions for male or female bodies”.

Lesbian

A woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay or as gay women.

Transphobia

The fear and hatred of, judgement of, or discomfort with, transgender people.

Gender Expression / Presentation

External appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behav ior, clothing, haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine. It is important not to assume gender identity or pronouns from a person’s presentation.

Sex Assigned at Birth

The sex (male or female) given to a child at birth, most often based on the child’s external anatomy. The assignment and classification of people as male, female, intersex, or another sex based on a combination of anatomy, hormones, chromosomes.

Ally

A person who is not LGBTQ but shows support for LGBTQ people and promotes equality in a variety of ways.

Biphobia

Prejudice, fear or hatred directed toward bisexual people.

Closeted

Describes an LGBTQ person who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Coming Out

The process in which a person first acknowledges, accepts and appreciates their sexual orientation or gender identity and begins to share that with others.

Genderfluid

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, a person who does not identify with a single fixed gender; of or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or unfixed gender identity.

Gender Identity

One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither -how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.

Homophobia

The fear and hatred of, judgement of or discomfort with people who are attract ed to members of the same sex.

Gender Transition

The process by which some people strive to more closely align their internal knowledge of gender with its outward appearance. Some people socially transition, whereby they might begin dressing, using names and pronouns and/or be socially recognized as another gender. Others undergo physical transitions in which they modify their bodies through medical interventions.

Outing

Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.

Sexual Orientation

An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people.

Pronouns

At EQUUS, our mission is to celebrate everyone for who they are. We integrate pronouns into our everyday work to set a tone of respect for one another and create an affirming environment for us all to thrive.

Why They Matter

Often used during introductions or while referencing someone during a conversation, pronouns help you know how someone would like to be addressed in any given situation so that they feel seen and understood in scenarios that are more often than not, hetero-normative (see ‘Terms’ above).

Examples
+ he/him/his
+ she/her/hers
+ they/them/theirs
+ ze/zir/zirs
+ she/they or he/they
+ just my name please!
Gender identity is our internal, individual experience of gender. It is directly linked to our sense of self and the sense of being male, female, both, or neither. While pronouns are pivotal to an individual’s gender identity and how they relate to the world and others, it is important to keep in mind that a person’s pronouns are not exclusively linked to gender and may not match your perception of that individual. Your assumption can leave a person feeling invalidated and dismissed. Taking the time to get to know a person better will help everyone feel more connected and respected.

Helpful ways to introduce gender inclusive language into your everyday life.

Introduce your pronouns! It will let people know how you like to be referred to and make it easier for other people to share theirs. Ex: “Hi, my name is Mackenzie. My pronouns are she/her, what are yours?”

When addressing groups of people or people whose pronouns you haven’t been told, use gender-neutral language such as, “siblings,” “students” “friends,” “folks,” “all.” or “y’all,” rather than “brothers and sisters.” or “guys,” or “ladies.”

Use descriptive language if you do not know a person’s gender, pronouns, or name. Ex: Can you give this paper to the person across the room with the white t-shirt and short brown hair?

Share this resource with others and open conversations and support to make sure you are engaging in respecting people’s identities and pronouns.

Remember growing and learning takes time! Educate and engage.

What is Intersectionality?

Intersectionality is the balance between our merging identities and the singular lived experience that comes as a result.
Coined in 1989 by Dr. Kimerlé Crenshaw to refer to the compounding impacts of simultaneous racial and gender discrimination, and now widely applied within many social justice spaces, intersectional theory gives language to the complex layers that make up each of us, uncovers where they intersect, and highlights how we then experience the world as a result.
Without it, efforts to address injustice, inequality, and inequity will never fully meet the needs of the people impacted.

How to be an Ally
Ally (verb) – to unite or form a connection or relation.

Promoting and encouraging allyship is important for everyone and helps to make the world a more inclusive and affirming place. The impact of LGBTQ-specific allyship also extends beyond benefitting queer identities by decreasing the likelihood of implicit and explicit bias, and removing barriers to true inclusion. We encourage you to activate your allyship and be an active accomplice in supporting marginalized communities.
+ Recognize how negative social stereotypes and unconscious beliefs cause harm
+ Be intentionally inclusive and avoid making assumptions about others’ identities
+ Speak out and speak up when the situation calls for it
+ Share & teach what you’ve learned to help others grow.
+ Be an ACTIVE accomplice 24/7,365
+ Learn about intersectionality to be a better ally to marginalized communities, such as LGBTQ folks; Black people, Indigenous people, and people of color (BIPOC); women; immigrants; and others.
Effective Allies Are:
+ Invested in their own knowledge
+ Invested in expanding their own knowledge
+ Willing to show up as a positive role model for their peers
+ Able to thoughtfully listen and center voices that need to be heard
+ Ready to participate in the work required to be a issue. ally, and have a clear stake in the