|
Basic
Terminology . . . The following words and phrases are some of the more common
terminology that you'll hear in discussions at PFLAG support
meetings . . . and on your television, in newspapers, on your
radio, and just about anywhere. Unfortunately, these words
and phrases are often misused or used incorrectly when presented
by mainstream media. To help clear up the confusion (or
lack of education) regarding these terms, the National
Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA) has prepared
the "NLGJA
Stylebook Supplement on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender
Terminology" to assist the mainstream media in using
these terms correctly. Below are selected words and
phrases excerpted from their stylebook, and the corresponding
definition and proper use notation where denoted. We have
also incorporated terminology defined by the
Washington State Safe Schools Coalition to add to
the list of terms below. We hope
these definitions and use notations will also help you to better
understand these common words and phrases.
[Note:
The terms listed below are not arranged alphabetically; they are
arranged logically so that related terms are grouped together
and, where applicable, one term builds upon another.]
Basic Terms:
The following terms are very basic and very common.
They are most certainly the terms that you'll hear used again
and again at PFLAG support meetings.
| Wait!
Just when we thought we had a handle on all this
terminology, wouldn't you know that evolution
marches forward, and new terminology (and new uses
for some old terminology) continues to emerge.
We suggest reading the article
"The
Origins and Continuing Evolution of Identity
Terminology" which discusses where all this
terminology originated (it's waaaaay more recent
that you may think) and how it is morphing once
again -- primarily by our younger generations.
Want to be ahead of the curve?
Read this article! |
|
Sexual
Orientation |
Innate sexual
attraction.
One’s core
sense of the gender(s) of people toward whom one feels
romantically and sexually attracted. The inclination or
capacity to develop intimate emotional and sexual
relationships with people of the same gender, a
different gender or more than one gender. Doesn’t
presume sexual experience/activity (i.e., sexual
minority people are as capable as heterosexual people of
choosing to abstain). To some degree, the qualities one
finds attractive may be learned, probably in the first
few years of life. There is growing evidence that
people may be, however, biologically (hormonally,
genetically) predisposed to be more attracted to one
gender or another or to people of more than one gender.
In all instances, use this term instead of sexual
preference or other misleading terminology.
See lifestyle.
[Note: Some people object to the term
"orientation" and instead prefer the term
"Sexual Identity."] |
|
Sexual
Preference |
Avoid. See
sexual orientation. [Note: Outdated term
that fell out of favor once the scientific, medical and
psychological communities began to acknowledge that one's
Sexual Orientation/Sexual Identity was not a
"preference", which implies a conscious choice
available to the GLBT individual.] |
| Gender
Identity |
One’s
understanding or feeling about whether one is
emotionally or spiritually male or female or both or
neither. A person may be congruent (i.e., his/her
gender identity and physical gender are consistent) or
transsexual (born biologically one gender; but
emotionally and spiritually, the other) or not quite
either one. |
|
Gender role |
One’s
gender expression and one’s beliefs and feelings about
the appropriate and/or comfortable expression of one’s
gender. To some degree, gender role is clearly learned
(socially constructed and culture-specific). To some
degree, people are probably biologically predisposed to
be more “feminine” or “masculine.” |
|
Straight |
Heterosexual; non-gay. Term
preferred by some straight people as less clinical and
formal than heterosexual, but some dislike it
because it gets confused with not
using drugs or with being a rigid person. Some GLBT
people object to it as implying that they must be, in
contrast, bent. |
|
Heterosexual |
Clinical
synonym for straight. When discussing with
school-aged children, the following references may be
more appropriate:
-
K-3: “A man who loves a woman or a
woman who loves a man.”
-
4-8: “A man who gets strong crushes
on women more often than on men, or who falls in
love with a woman. Or a woman who falls in love with
a man.”
-
9-12: “A person who is romantically
and sexually most attracted to people of the other
gender.”
|
|
Gay |
An adjective that has
largely replaced “homosexual” in referring to men
who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other
men. Avoid using as a singular noun. For women,
“lesbian” is preferred. To include both, use “gay
men and lesbians.” In headlines where space is an
issue, “gays” is acceptable to describe both. When
discussing with school-aged children, the following
references may be more appropriate:
-
K-3: “A man who loves another
man or a woman who loves another woman.”
-
4-8: “A man who gets strong
crushes on other guys more often than on women, or
who falls in love with a man. Or a woman who falls
in love with another woman (but she might prefer to
call herself lesbian than gay).”
-
9-12: “A person who is
romantically and sexually most attracted to people
of his or her own gender. The term refers to people
of any gender, but when possible, it’s more
respectful to use the terms gay and lesbian.”
|
|
Homosexual |
Avoid this term; it is
clinical, distancing and archaic. Sometimes appropriate
in referring to behavior (although same-sex is
the preferred adj.). When referring to people, as
opposed to behavior, homosexual is considered
derogatory and the terms gay and lesbian are
preferred. Use only if
“heterosexual” would be used in parallel
constructions, such as in medical contexts. For other
usages, see gay and lesbian. |
|
Lesbian |
Preferred term, both as a
noun and as an adjective, for women who are sexually and
affectionally attracted to other women. Some women
prefer to be called “gay” rather than “lesbian”.
Other
lesbians feel invisible when the term gay is used
to refer to men and women. When possible, ask the subject what term she prefers. |
|
Bisexual |
As a noun, an individual who
may be attracted to either sex. As an adjective, of or
relating to sexual and affectional attraction to either
sex. Does not presume non-monogamy (or, for that matter,
any sexual activity). Some people
self-identify as bi rather than bisexual.
[Note:
While a bisexual individual can be attracted to
individuals of either sex, it does not imply that they
can be/will be attracted to more than one individual at
a time.] |
|
Transgender |
(adj) An umbrella term that
can include preoperative, postoperative or nonoperative
transsexuals, female and male cross-dressers, drag
queens or kings, female or male impersonators and
intersex individuals. If an individual prefers to be
called transsexual, drag queen or king, intersex, etc.,
use that term. [Note: All terms included
in this definition are defined in a separate "Advanced
Terms Related to Gender Identity and/or Gender
Expression" section below.]
Another definition:
An umbrella term
increasingly preferred by people whose appearance,
personal characteristics or behaviors are gender role
nonconforming … individuals who might otherwise call
themselves transsexual, cross-dressing or
gender-bending. Also preferred by some people who are
emotionally neither sex or both sexes or
whose gender role expression is significantly
different from what society expects of people of their
sex or changes from time to time. Transgender people may
be heterosexual or gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Some
people self-identify as trans rather than
transgender.
One more
definition: This
term is a used to signify someone who transgresses the
man/woman dichotomy and rejects the binary gender
system. Transgender in this way can mean cross dressers,
butch/fem, transsexual, third genders, androgynes,
queergenders, genderbenders, genderblenders, and
whatever other terms folks prefer.
Note: The
image on the right is an image we found on the Internet.
While it helps to depict many of the terms/conditions
that may fall under the general "transgender" umbrella
term, we recognize that some people might disagree with
some of the terms included here. That debate, if
any, is for another time and place. We're just
trying to get across that the term "transgender"
can and does encompass many different people and
conditions.
Found along with
this image: According to
the
Trans Activist Network:
In simplest form, "trans" refers to
transgender, transsexual, intersex,
cross-dressing, drag, butch, femme and all other
forms of gender variance. Trans individuals seek
gender rights allowing them to present their gender
identity as best suits them. "Trans" is not limited
to individuals who change their "sex" or their
bodies, but includes everyone who desires a greater
freedom of gender expression.
|
|
GLBTQ |
Acronym for “gay, lesbian,
bisexual, transgender and 'questioning'.”
Sometimes used, for example, to identify the young
people who attend a school-based support group. Some
groups also welcome heterosexual friends and allies
and/or students with GLBT family members.
[Note: Sometimes
denoted as "GLBT", as used throughout our
website, or LGBT. Other variations might include
GLBTQQAI which includes gay, lesbian, bisexual,
transgender, "questioning", queer, allied, and intersex
people.] |
|
Queer |
Pejorative term for gay.
Now being reclaimed by some young gays, lesbians,
bisexuals and transgender people and those whose
identities are fluid, especially White young people
living on the Coasts, as a self-affirming umbrella term,
but it is still a slur in many contexts and is generally
prohibited in schools with
anti-harassment policies.
To understand more about how this term has evolved, read
this article. |
|
Ally |
A member of a
historically more powerful identity group who stands up
against bigotry. For example, a man who confronts his
friend about harassing women, a Christian who helps
paint over a swastika, or a heterosexual person who
objects to an anti-gay joke. |
Closeted,
In The Closet |
Refers to a
person who wishes to keep secret his or her sexual
orientation or gender identity. |
|
Coming Out |
Short for
“coming out of the closet.” The process of first
recognizing and acknowledging non-heterosexual
orientation or trans-gender identity to oneself and then
sharing it with others. Developmentally, many sexual
minority youth will initially erect emotional barriers
with acquaintances, friends and family by pretending
(actively or through silence) to be heterosexual and
congruent. Coming out means dropping the secrecy and
pretense and becoming more emotionally integrated. This
usually occurs in stages and is a non-linear, lifelong
process. See closeted
and outing. |
| Outing |
(from “out of
the closet”) Publicly revealing the sexual orientation
or gender identity of an individual who has chosen to
keep that information private. Also a verb: The magazine
outed the senator in a front-page story. See coming
out and closeted. |
"Advanced" Terms Related to
Sexual Orientation:
Okay, you survived the basic terms pretty well. Now
we'll move on to some "advanced" terms that you'll
also hear used at PFLAG support meetings. Some of these
terms may represent areas/issues that you're not ready to
discuss, and that's okay with us. These terms are included
here to help expand your knowledge so that you'll be aware of
what the rest of us are speaking about if a particular topic
comes up in conversation.
|
Openly
Gay/Lesbian |
As a modifier,
“openly” is usually not relevant; its use should be
restricted to instances in which the public awareness of
an individual’s sexual orientation is germane.
Examples: Harvey Milk was the first openly gay San
Francisco supervisor. “Ellen” was the first sitcom
to feature an openly lesbian lead character.
“Openly” is preferred over “avowed,”
“admitted,” “confessed” or “practicing.” |
| Gay/Lesbian
Relationships |
Gay, lesbian
and bisexual people date, court, and sometimes make
homes together. They use various terms to describe their
commitments (e.g., boyfriend, girlfriend, spouse, lover,
husband, wife). Ask the individual what term he or she
prefers, if possible. If not, partner is generally
acceptable. |
|
Domestic
Partner |
Unmarried
partners who live together. Domestic partners may be of
opposite sexes or the same sex. They may register in
some counties, municipalities and states and receive
some of the same benefits accorded married couples. The
term is typically used in connection with legal and
insurance matters. See gay/lesbian
relationships. |
|
Lover |
A gay, lesbian,
bisexual or heterosexual person’s sexual partner.
“Partner” is generally acceptable. See gay/lesbian
relationships. [Note:
"Lover" is a term used by many same-sex
couples in longer-term relationships, (or individuals
from such past relationships) as that term was the
accepted term in the '60s, '70s and '80s. Today,
the term "Partner" is being used by more and
more same-sex couples as some are not comfortable using
the term "Lover", as they feel it implies a
sex-only relationship as opposed to a full loving,
emotionally bonding and sexual relationship. When
in doubt, simply ask the couple in question what term
they prefer.] |
| Lifestyle |
An
inaccurate
term sometimes used to describe the lives of gays,
lesbians and bisexuals. Implies that the homes, careers,
and relationships of all sexual minorities are
identical. There is a GLBT culture, with its own
performing arts and body of literature. There is a
GLBT community, with gay- and lesbian-identified
businesses, publications and holidays. But the degree to
which people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or
transgender take part in this culture and community
varies from not-at-all to almost exclusively.
There is no gay lifestyle, just as there is no straight
lifestyle. |
|
Commitment
Ceremony |
A formal,
marriage-like gathering that recognizes the declaration
of members of the same sex to each other. Same-sex
marriages are not legally recognized in the United
States. (In April 2001, The Netherlands became the first
nation to offer legal marriage to same-sex couples who
are citizens or legal residents.) |
|
Civil Union |
The state of
Vermont began this formal recognition of lesbian and gay
relationships in July 2000. A civil union provides
same-sex couples some rights available to married
couples in areas such as state taxes, medical decisions
and estate planning. |
|
Homophobia |
Originally
coined to mean, in classic psychological terms,
irrational fear of homosexuality. Now refers usually to
bias against or dislike of gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people or of stereotypically gay/lesbian
behavior, or discomfort with one’s own same-sex
attractions, or of being perceived as gay or lesbian. A
less inflammatory term is anti-gay (as in
anti-gay harassment). |
|
Heterosexism |
Presumption that
heterosexuality is universal and/or superior to
homosexuality. Also: prejudice, bias or discrimination
based on such presumptions. |
|
Pride (Day
and/or March) |
Short for
gay/lesbian pride, this term is commonly used to
indicate the celebrations commemorating the Stonewall
Inn riots June 28, 1969. Pride events typically take
place in June. See Stonewall.
[Note: In Phoenix, the annual outdoor Pride
parade and festival have been moved to April due to the
excessive summer heat here.] |
|
Special
Rights |
Politically
charged term used by opponents of civil rights for gay
people. Avoid. “Gay civil rights,” “equal
rights” or “gay rights” are alternatives. |
|
“Ex-Gay” |
(adj.) The
movement, mostly rooted in conservative religions, that
aims to change the sexual attraction of individuals from
same-sex to opposite-sex. |
|
Co-parents |
Grown-ups
who are raising a child together, who may or may not be
biologically related to the child. Sometimes refers to
the partner of a biological parent. Sometimes refers to
both (or all) parents, step-parents, partners and other
guardians. |
|
Failure-to-report |
The crime
committed by certain professionals who are required by
law to contact child protective services and/or law
enforcement when they know or suspect that a child or
teen has been neglected or physically or sexually
assaulted, when they fail to do so. |
|
Failure-to-protect |
Refers to
the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
to the United States Constitution. This clause states
that all citizens are due equal protection under the law
and cannot be discriminated against through selective
enforcement. This means that schools are responsible for
equally protecting all students. Sexual harassment
policies, for instance, must be applied consistently,
regardless of a student’s (or an employee’s) gender or
race or religion or sexual orientation or gender
expression. |
|
Inclusive language |
The use of
terms such as family or parents/guardians,
instead of mother-and-father in a letter about an
upcoming open-house. Or of gender-neutral terms
(e.g., partner, instead of boyfriend or
girlfriend) in a lesson on communication.
Terms that allow every child and family to feel they
belong at school, including those who are gay or lesbian
(as well as children who live with a single parent or
grandparents, etc.). |
|
Sexual minorities |
Gay, lesbian, bisexual and
transgender people. |
"Advanced Terms Related to Gender Identity and/or Gender
Expression:
The following terms fall under the umbrella of
"Transgender", as also defined below. In this
section, we've incorporated some additional terms from a
"Trans for Doofuses" webpage we found that gave some quick
definitions for some common terms.
|
Transgender |
(adj) An
umbrella term that can include preoperative,
postoperative or nonoperative transsexuals, female and
male cross-dressers, drag queens or kings, female or
male impersonators and intersex individuals. If an
individual prefers to be called transsexual, drag queen
or king, intersex, etc., use that term.
Another definition:
An umbrella term
increasingly preferred by people whose appearance,
personal characteristics or behaviors are gender role
nonconforming … individuals who might otherwise call
themselves transsexual, cross-dressing or
gender-bending. Also preferred by some people who are
emotionally neither sex or both sexes or
whose gender role expression is significantly
different from what society expects of people of their
sex or changes from time to time. Transgender people may
be heterosexual or gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Some
people self-identify as trans rather than
transgender.
One more
definition: This
term is a used to signify someone who transgresses the
man/woman dichotomy and rejects the binary gender
system. Transgender in this way can mean cross dressers,
butch/fem, transsexual, third genders, androgynes,
queergenders, genderbenders, genderblenders, and
whatever other terms folks prefer.
Note: The
image on the right is an image we found on the Internet.
While it helps to depict many of the terms/conditions
that may fall under the general "transgender" umbrella
term, we recognize that some people might disagree with
some of the terms included here. That debate, if
any, is for another time and place. We're just
trying to get across that the term "transgender"
can and does encompass many different people and
conditions.
Found along with
this image: According to
the
Trans Activist Network:
In simplest form, "trans" refers to
transgender, transsexual, intersex,
cross-dressing, drag, butch, femme and all other
forms of gender variance. Trans individuals seek
gender rights allowing them to present their gender
identity as best suits them. "Trans" is not limited
to individuals who change their "sex" or their
bodies, but includes everyone who desires a greater
freedom of gender expression.
|
| Gender
Identity |
One’s
understanding or feeling about whether one is
emotionally or spiritually male or female or both or
neither. A person may be congruent (i.e., his/her
gender identity and physical gender are consistent) or
transsexual (born biologically one gender; but
emotionally and spiritually, the other) or not quite
either one. |
|
Gender role |
One’s
gender expression and one’s beliefs and feelings about
the appropriate and/or comfortable expression of one’s
gender. To some degree, gender role is clearly learned
(socially constructed and culture-specific). To some
degree, people are probably biologically predisposed to
be more “feminine” or “masculine.” |
|
Omnisexual
or Pansexual |
One whose
romantic, emotional, or sexual attractions are geared
towards others regardless of sex and/or gender
expression. |
|
Transexual (or Transssexual) |
(noun) An
individual who identifies himself or herself as a member
of the opposite sex and who acquires the physical
characteristics of the opposite sex. Individual can be
of any sexual orientation. To determine accurate use of
names or personal pronouns, use the name and sex of the
individual at the time of the action.
Another
Definition:
A person (pre,
post or non-operative) who is biologically one sex (at
birth), but emotionally and spiritually another.
Female-to-male transsexual (FTM) people are born with
female bodies, but identify as male. Male-to-female
transsexual (MTF) people are born with male bodies, but
identify as female. |
|
FTM |
Acronym for
“female to male.” A transgender person who, at birth
or by determination of parents or doctors, has a
biological identity of female but a gender identity of
male. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes
described as “post-op FTMs” (for post-operative).
See gender identity and intersex. |
|
MTF |
Acronym for
“male to female.” A transgender person who, at birth
or by determination of parents or doctors, has a
biological identity of male but a gender identity of
female. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes
described as “post-op MTFs” (for post-operative).
See gender identity and intersex. |
|
Pre-/Post-/Non-Op |
This refers
to the level and/or stage of physical transition an FtM
or MtF transexual might go through. A pre-op person has
not yet have had any surgeries to alter their body to
fit their gender. A pre-op may also be not yet be on
hormone therapy to change their secondary sex
characteristics. A post-op person has had operations. A
non-op person does not intend to surgically alter their
body, but rather live in the body they have as the
gender they are. |
|
Transition |
The process by
which one alters one’s sex. This may include surgery,
hormone therapy and changes of legal identity. |
|
SRS |
Shorthand
for Sex Reassignment Surgery. I.e. gives a biological
male a vagina and removes the breasts of a biological
female. For FtMs, the breast-removal surgery is referred
to as "top surgery" and the lower area procedure is
referred to as "bottom surgery." |
|
Bio-Male/Bio-Female |
The complex
distilled into the simplistic. Basically, for those who
are anatomically considered "male" this means having a
penis at birth, and for those who are anatomically
considered "female" this means ovaries, womb, vagina,
etc. at birth. Also refers to chromosomes. The terms are
used to refer to what gender roles people were assigned
at birth. |
|
Transman/Transboy |
A bio-female who identifies as a man or
boy. May be pre, post, or non op. |
|
Transwoman/Transgirl |
A bio-male who identifies as a woman or
girl. May be pre, post, or non op. |
| Intersex
or Intersexual |
An adjective
to describe a person (referred to archaically as a
hermaphrodite) who was born with an anomaly of the
reproductive system – with genitals or chromosomes that
were not clearly male or female. At least 1 in
2,000 children is born with genitals that make it
difficult for even an expert to determine their sex.
Some doctors consider such anomalies as hypospadias (in
which the urethral opening is somewhere other than the
tip of the penis) which occur in 1 of every 200 baby
boys to be intersexed conditions.
For more on the intersex community, visit the
Intersex
Society of North American website. |
|
Gender Binary |
The social rules that state that one must
be a boy or a girl, a man or a woman. It enforces the
outdated and repressive concept that there are only two
genders. Also includes rules of conduct, dress, and
biology for the two roles. |
|
Congruent |
Having a
gender and a gender identity that match. Non-transsexual
and post-operative transsexual people are congruent. |
|
Cisgender |
Someone who
associates and is comfortable with the gender they were
assigned at birth. |
|
Third Gender |
There’s a
growing number of people who reject the either/or binary
gender system (i.e., "male" or "female") and prefer to
consider themselves the "and" of the gender world. You
could almost say, historically speaking, that berdaches
were third gendered. |
|
Bi-Gendered |
Someone who
identifies as male and/or female, but in a fluid state
where they go between those genders depending on the day
or context (e.g.,"today I feel more male"). |
|
Androgyne |
Someone who combines the characteristics
of masculine and feminine gender expressions. |
|
Genderqueer |
Someone who rejects the gender binary and
feels as they are both genders or neither gender
continually. |
|
Genderbender |
Someone who expresses their gender in
nontraditional ways. |
|
Genderblender |
Someone who blends the characteristics of
traditional gender roles. (Note: This term
is not commonly used in the U.S. at present.) |
|
Gender Outlaw |
A person who defies traditional gender
roles by refusing to be defined by conventional
definitions of man and woman. |
|
Butch |
A term for masculine gender expression.
Has nothing to do with gender, sexuality, or sex. |
|
Femme |
A term for feminine gender expression.
Yet again, has nothing to do with gender, sexuality, or
sex. However, as I’ve discovered, lesbian femme, bi
femme, and straight femme are very different things. |
|
Drag |
Attire of the
opposite sex. |
|
Drag
Performers |
Entertainers who
dress and act in styles typically associated with the
opposite sex (drag queen for men, drag king for women).
Not synonymous with transgender or cross-dressing. |
|
Drag Queen |
A man identified bio-male who takes on
the role of a woman for personal or entertainment
reasons. |
|
Drag King |
A woman identified bio-female who takes
on the role of a man for personal or entertainment
reasons. |
|
Cross-Dresser |
Preferred term
for person who wears clothing most often associated with
members of the opposite sex. Not necessarily connected
to sexual orientation. |
|
Transvestite |
Avoid.
Coined in the 19th
century. A person - not
necessarily gay - who dresses in clothing most often
associated with another gender. The increasingly
preferred term is a person who cross-dresses. |
|
Two-Spirit People
(also Two Spirit or Twospirit) |
An English term that emerged in 1990, out
of the third annual inter-tribal Native American/First
Nations gay and lesbian conference, in Winnipeg, to
describe Native Americans who fulfill one of many mixed
gender roles found traditionally among many Native
Americans and Canadian First Nations indigenous groups.
The mixed gender roles encompassed by the term
historically included wearing the clothing and
performing the work associated with both men and women.
A direct translation of the Ojibwe term,
Niizh manidoowag, "two-spirited" or "two-spirit" is
usually used to indicate a person whose body
simultaneously houses a masculine spirit and a feminine
spirit. The term can also be used more abstractly, to
indicate presence of two contrasting human spirits (such
as Warrior and Clan Mother) or two contrasting animal
spirits (which, depending on the culture, might be Eagle
and Coyote); however, these uses, while descriptive of
some aboriginal cultural practices and beliefs, depart
somewhat from the 1990 purposes of promoting the term.
According to Brian Joseph Gilly, male
berdachism "was a fundamental institution among most
tribal peoples." Will Roscoe writes that male and female
berdaches have been "documented in over 130 tribes, in
every region of North America, among every type of
native culture." |
Terms from GLBT History:
The following terms have their roots in GLBT history.
| Stonewall |
The Stonewall
Inn tavern in New York City’s Greenwich Village was
the site of several nights of raucous protests after a
police raid on June 28, 1969. Although not the
nation’s first gay civil rights demonstration,
Stonewall is now regarded as the birth of the modern gay
civil rights movement. |
|
Pink Triangle |
Now a gay pride
symbol, it was the symbol gay men were required to wear
in Nazi concentration camps during World War II.
Lesbians sometimes also use a black triangle. |
|
Rainbow Flag |
A flag of six
equal horizontal stripes (red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, and violet) signifying the diversity of the
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. (Note:
The original rainbow flag had eight colored stripes, but
it was later shortened to just six stripes.) |
|
Don’t Ask,
Don’t Tell |
Shorthand for
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue,” the
military policy on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.
Under the policy, instituted in 1993, the military is
not to ask service members about their sexual
orientation, service members are not to tell others
about their orientation, and the military is not to
pursue rumors about members’ sexual orientation. The
shorthand is acceptable in headlines, but in text the
full phrase adds important balance. |
Other Terms:
Below are some miscellaneous words and phrases that you may
hear, some of which are not positive towards GLBT individuals,
and some, like HIV and AIDS, which are often attributed to GLBT
individuals, but most certainly are not exclusive to any
particular group of people.
|
Fag, Faggot |
Originally a
pejorative term for a gay male, it is now being
reclaimed by some gay men. Caution: still extremely
offensive when used as an epithet. It is still a
slur in many contexts and is generally prohibited in
schools with anti-harassment policies. |
|
Homo |
Pejorative term
for homosexual. Avoid. |
|
Queen |
Originally a
pejorative term for an effeminate gay man. Still
considered offensive when used as an epithet. |
|
Dyke |
Pejorative
term for a lesbian. Some young women self-identify as
dykes, but it is still a slur in many contexts and is
generally prohibited in schools with anti-harassment
policies. |
|
Sissy |
Pejorative
term for a gay man or a man who doesn’t fit masculine
gender role stereotypes. As unacceptable at school as
racial or religious slurs. |
| HIV:
Human Immunodeficiency Virus |
The virus that
causes AIDS. “HIV virus” is redundant.
“HIV-positive” means being infected with HIV but not
necessarily having AIDS. AIDS doctors and researchers
are using the term “HIV disease” more because there
are other types of acquired immune deficiencies caused
by toxins and rare but deadly diseases that are
unrelated to what we now call AIDS. See AIDS. |
| AIDS:
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome |
A medical
condition that compromises the human immune system,
leaving the body defenseless against opportunistic
infections. Some medical treatments can slow the rate at
which the immune system is weakened. Do not use the term
“full-blown AIDS.” Individuals may be HIV-positive
but not have AIDS. Avoid “AIDS sufferer” and “AIDS
victim.” Use “people with AIDS” or, if the context
is medical, “AIDS patients.” See HIV. |
See also:
Common Symbols of the GLBT Community |