Sexuality names
47 Terms That Describe Sexual Attraction, Behavior, and Orientation
It’s OK to feel unsure or overwhelmed by all of the terms we now have to portray sexual and romantic orientation, attraction, and behavior.
Expanding the language you utilize to describe your sexuality can provide important guidance, validation, and access to community while on your journey of sexual self-discovery and satisfaction.
Mere Abrams is a researcher, writer, educator, consultant, and licensed clinical social worker who reaches a worldwide audience through public speaking, publications, social media (@meretheir), and gender therapy and support services practice onlinegendercare.com. Mere uses their personal experience and diverse professional background to support individuals exploring gender and help institutions, organizations, and businesses to raise gender literacy and recognize opportunities to demonstrate gender inclusion in products, services, programs, projects, and content.
Terminology List
A term used to describe someone who is supportive of LGBTQ individuals and the community, either personally or as an advocate. Whereas allies to the LGB community typically identify as unbent, allies to the transgender community also come from the LGBTQ community. Gender nonconforming individuals who recognize as straight can be allies to the LGB group as well.
A designation used within the queer communities of color to cite to sexual orientation, gender and/or aesthetic among people assigned female at birth. Boi often designates queer women who present with masculinity (although this depends on location and usage). This word may also be used in more general/various ways in African American Vernacular English (AAVE) that may or may not have a queer meaning context, and this nuance should be noted. Boi is and is not queer.
An identity or presentation that leans toward masculinity. Butch can be an adjective (she's a butch woman), a verb (he went dwelling to "butch up") or a noun (they identify as a butch). Although commonly associated with masculine queer/lesbian women, it's used by many to narrate a distinct gender identity and/or phrase a
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re scared of saying the wrong thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to aid make conversations easier and more cozy. LGBTQ+ people employ a variety of terms to recognize themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always monitor for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of Homosexual people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as adv as those within the LGBTQ+ society who support each other (e.g., a lesbian who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for small, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual exercise with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may life no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The terror and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who cherish and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | A person emotiona
LGBTQIA+ Resources
Asexual: Experiencing little or no sexual attraction to others and/or a lack of interest in sexual relationships/behavior. Asexuality exists on a continuum from people who experience no sexual attraction or have any want for sex, to those who experience low levels, or sexual attraction only under specific conditions. Many of these different places on the continuum possess their identity labels (see below). Sometimes abbreviated to “ace.”
Gray-asexuality: The space between asexuality and other sexual orientations. People who determine with this label can include (but are in no way limited to), people who do not normally experience attraction but do sometimes, people who experience attraction but hold a low sex guide , and people who can enjoy and desire sex or romantic relationships but under very limited and specific circumstances.
Demi-sexuality: Little or no capacity to trial sexual attraction until a strong romantic connection is formed with someone, often within a romantic relationship.
Biological Sex/Assigned Sex: A medical term used to point to to the chromosomal, hormonal, and anatomical characteristics t
Glossary
This is a list of carefully researched and thoughtfully discussed definitions for key gender and sexuality terms. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good place for us to start. Identity terms mean very particular things to different individuals. The definitions provided in this document reflect the current general understanding of these terms. We understand that language around sexuality and gender is always switching and we will review these terms regularly.
If there is a term that you feel should be included here, please grant us know. You can email and/or call the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at gscc@msu.edu or (517) 353-9520.
- Getting Started
- Birth-Assigned Sex Terms
- Gender Terms
- Sexuality Terms
- Identity Terms
- Trans Community Terms
- Romantic Identity Terms
- Oppressive
- Legal, Academic, and Legislation Terms
- Historical Terms
- Racial Identity and Racial Justice Terms
To understand LGBTQIA2S+ identities and communities we must first distinguish three important concepts (gender, sex, and sexuality) and argue the version of the acronym we are using on this website and in our educational programs and resources.