Politically correct term for homosexual
LGBTQIA+ Slurs and Slang
bog queen
Synonyms: Bathsheba (composition between bathroom and Sheba to create a mention reminiscent of the Queen of Sheba), Ghost (50s, ghost, because they wander the corridors of the bathroom).
Good Practices: Inclusive Language
As with good practices generally, any advice must be combined with a specific context and exploit of good judgement in order to determine what is appropriate to a specific situation. This page is part of the broader #TransTerps campaign, and on this site you can find out more about trainings, good practices, and resources and policies for supporting trans folks on campus.
The University of Maryland, College Park has a Policy on Inclusive Language. This policy applies to university employees when representing the institution to the public (e.g. in official communications, publications representing the institution, etc.), but the principles of the policy can be useful in many contexts. The policy specifically requires avoiding terms and expressions that may reinforce inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender, among other things.
A few potentially inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender include:
- Assuming or implying that there are only two genders that exist and are valid.
- Using outdated and potenti
Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ
Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ community organizations and leaders. View acknowledgements section.
Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary.
Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@
*NOTE: Ask people what terms they utilize 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 lesbian, 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 thiLets Talk Terminology
There is so much to think about here between, sexuality, sexual orientation, sex v gender, pronouns to name but a few topics. Below is a non-definitive list of terms you are most likely to listento in relation to the LGBTI+ community.
Helpful Terms and Definitions – TENI is a great resource and it is well worth a visit to their website in general. TENI stands for Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
LGBTI+ Glossary of Terms
Achillean Typically referred to as MLM (Men Loving Men) or NBLM (Non-Binary Loving Men). An umbrella term that can describe bisexual, pansexual, gay and omnisexual men/non-binary people.
Ally Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/or activist for LGBTI+ people. The term ally is generally used for any member of a dominant group who is a friend, advocate or activist for people in an oppressed group (i.e. Colorless Ally for People of Colour).
Androgynous Term used to describe an individual whose gender expression and/or identity may be neither distinctly “female” nor “male,” usually based on appearance.
Asexual A