A gay woman
Glossary of Terms
Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or phrase because it feels taboo, or because they’re anxious of saying the improper thing.
This glossary was written to help give people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more relaxed. LGBTQ+ people use a variety of terms to identify themselves, not all of which are included in this glossary. Always listen for and respect a person’s self identified terminology.
Ally | A phrase used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the Gay community who support each other (e.g., a queer woman who is an ally to the bisexual community).
Asexual | Often called “ace” for short, asexual refers to a complete or partial lack of sexual attraction or lack of interest in sexual action with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may encounter no, little or conditional sexual attraction.
Biphobia | The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with, people who love and are sexually attracted to more than one gender.
Bisexual | A person emotiona
No woman 'totally straight', study says
Dr Rieger said it was not known why gay women were more often only aroused by their preferred sex, but he believes it may be to do with the amount of testosterone female babies obtain in the womb.
It was possible, he said, that women who experienced testosterone early in pregnancy had sexual behaviours that were more similar to men, but this has not yet been proven.
He said tests showed similar behaviours occurring in monkeys.
Dr Rieger said the wider conclusions of the study was that, while the majority of women identified as straight: "Our research shows that, when it comes to what turns them on they are usually attracted to both genders or gay, but never totally straight".
However, he added the research did not necessarily mean women were repressing their true sexual preferences, but that their sexualities were simply more complex than men's.
"When it comes to straight women and sexual arousal there is such a disconnect between what a chick tells me and what her body does.
"It suggests that it's a different world for women when it comes to their sexualities."
Famous lesbians, gay women and gender fluid people you really should know
Famous lesbians - Jacqueline Wilson
Author Jacqueline Wilson came out publicly in 2020 at the age of 74, although she said her relationship with her partner Trish had never been a secret. “I’ve never really been in any gentle of closet,” Wilson told The Guardian. “It would be such old news for anybody that has ever recognizable anything much about me. Even the vaguest acquaintance knows perfectly well that we are a couple.”
Famous lesbians - Megan Rapinoe
US soccer star and co-captain Megan Rapinoe spoke to CNN and said she didn't know she was gay when she was younger. "It's so embarrassing because I'm just very gay, I don't know how it happened but as soon as it clicked I was like she has arrived. She is here. Her animation is beginning."
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Famous lesbians - Lena Waithe
Master of None actor Lena Waithe said, at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards in 2018, "Being born gay, shadowy and female is not a revolutionary act. Being pleased to be a gay, black female is."
Famous lesbians - Hayley Kiyoko
Singer Hayley Kiyok
Women usually question whether they are heterosexual ('straight') or lesbian (same-sex attracted) when they realise they are feeling attracted to other women. Lesbians usually utter their main physical, feeling and sexual feelings are for women. Many women report they have female homosexual experiences or feelings, but do not think of themselves as lesbians or gay.
Being a lesbian is completely natural
It is vital to remember that:
- It is natural for people to be attracted to members of their own sex.
- It is normal and healthy to be a lesbian.
Why some women are lesbians
There is no genuine explanation as to why some women are lesbians and others are not – it is just a part of who we are. It may be a result of genetic influences or because of social experiences or a combination of the two.
Some people recognise their attractions at an promptly age, while others don't develop attractions until adequately into adulthood. Many immature people begin to expand feelings and attractions for people of the matching sex during their teenage years.
Knowing whether you're a lesbian
There is no questionnaire or test you can complete that will inform you whether you are lesbian or not. If you are a female homosexual y
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ group organizations and leaders. View acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender utterance, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@glaad.org
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they exploit to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
LGBTQ
Acronym for queer woman , gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering aid for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of this acronym. The term “gay community” should be avoided, as it does not accuratel