Transgender vs homosexual

Glossary of Terms

Many Americans refrain from talking about sexual orientation and gender identity or expression because it feels taboo, or because they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing. 

This glossary was written to help grant people the words and meanings to help make conversations easier and more comfortable. 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 term used to describe someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ+ people. It encompasses straight and cisgender allies, as well as those within the LGBTQ+ community who support each other (e.g., a lesbian 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 activity with others. Asexuality exists on a spectrum, and asexual people may experience no, little or conditional sexual attraction.

Biphobia | The shrink from and hatred of, or discomfort with

LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to %

Story Highlights

  • LGBT identification up from % in
  • One in five Gen Z adults verb as LGBT
  • Bisexual identification is most common

Learn more in Gallup’s LGBTQ+ update.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual has increased to a modern high of %, which is double the percentage from , when Gallup first measured it.

Gallup asks Americans whether they personally identify as straight or heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender as part of the demographic information it collects on all U.S. telephone surveys. Respondents can also volunteer any other sexual orientation or gender identity they prefer. In addition to the % of U.S. adults who consider themselves to be an LGBT identity, % say they are straight or heterosexual, and % do not offer an opinion. The results are based on aggregated data, encompassing interviews with more than 12, U.S. adults.

Line graph. Americans' Self-Identification as Lesbian, Gay,

Nope!

It’s easy to get this confused, particularly because T is included in the LGBTQ+ acronym (T standing for &#;Transgender&#;). The key is to remember that transgender is referring to someone&#;s gender identity and not their sexuality orientation. Transgender people can be gay, straight, pansexual, queer, asexual, or any other sexual orientation (just like cisgender people!).

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What about advanced workshops? Safe Zone perhaps?

Our Foundational Curriculum is a designed to create a Safe Zone overview workshop. We recommend this workshop for all audiences &#; gay, straight, queer, allied, and anywhere in between (or outside) those categories. While some of it may be old information for some, we believe that everyone, no matter their knowledge level, will get something out of the experience.

We do have exercises that can be used for more advanced/specific workshops. Just check out the explore activities tab and seek under the “” levels for more advanced activities!

I have an activity I think you should add to the site. Verb you want to see it?

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Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Definitions

Sexual orientation

An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people. Note: an individual’s sexual orientation is independent of their 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.

Gender expression

External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.

Transgender

An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual,