Safe Zone 2023 Terminology Flashcards

This is the deep-down, inner feeling of who we are attracted or “oriented” to sexually, romantically, and emotionally.

A self-identified woman who has sexual and or romantic attractions to some other women, or who identifies as a member of the lesbian community.

A self-identified man who has sexual and or romantic attractions to some other men, or who identifies as a member of the gay community.

A person who has sexual and or romantic attractions to both men and women, or someone who is attracted towards two or more genders

An identity for individuals who feel as though their sexual orientation is more flexible and not definable by any singular position on a continuum of sexual orientation or gender identity. These individuals identify as along the spectrum of orientation. This identity leaves open the possibility for the attraction to individuals who identify outside of the gender binary.

Someone who may not experience sexual and/or romantic attraction. There is considerable diversity among the community; each person may experience things like relationships, attraction, and arousal somewhat differently. It is distinct from celibacy or sexual abstinence, which are behaviors, while this identity is generally considered to be a sexual orientation.

Refers to people who are uncertain of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

A socially-constructed and assigned identity that is usually based on biological markers such as chromosomes and genitalia. In western culture, two sexes are institutionally recognized - male and female.

An umbrella term referring to a myriad of health conditions, often present at birth, involving anatomy or physiology that differs from societal expectations of male and female. Intersex conditions can affect the genitals, the chromosomes and/or secondary sex characteristics. People who are intersex should not be assumed to be transgender.

One’s understanding of themselves as man, woman, nonbinary, and/or a spectrum of multiple identities. Gendered characteristics can change over time and are differentiated by culture. Gender is often linked with sex, but this is inaccurate because sex refers to birth genitalia and/or chromosomes or hormones and gender refers to how individuals identify. One's gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.

A broad “umbrella” term that can be used to describe people whose gender expression is non-conforming and/or whose gender identity is different from their sex assigned at birth.

Trans people may or may not choose to alter their bodies hormonally and/or surgically. People must self-identify as transgender in order for the term to be appropriately used to describe them.

A person whose gender identity is neither male nor female, is between or beyond genders, or is some combination of genders. These terms became popular as increasing amounts of gender nonconforming people voiced discomfort in and exclusion from the larger transgender community.

Refers to the myriad of actions a person may take including the social, psychological and medical process of transitioning from one gender to another. Transitioning is a complex process that occurs over a long period of time, it is not an event.

Is a term for the surgical procedures by which a person's physical appearance and function of their existing sexual characteristics are altered to resemble that of the another sex. Other names used are Gender Realignment Surgery, Genital Reconstruction Surgery, Gender Confirmation Surgery or Sex Affirmation Surgery. ‘Sex change’ is now considered inaccurate, derogatory and no longer used

A person who identifies with the gender assigned to them at birth. A person who is not Trans. This term is important in that it does not “other” Trans identities.

An umbrella term used to describe a sexual orientation and/or gender identity or gender expression that does not conform to heteronormative society.

While it is used as a neutral, even positive term among many LGBTQA people today, historically it has been negative and can still be considered derogatory by some.

The fear and hatred of or the discomfort with people who love and sexually desire members of the same sex. Homophobic reactions often lead to intolerance, bigotry, and violence against anyone not acting within heterosexual norms. Because most LGBTQA people are raised in the same society as everyone else, they learn the same beliefs and stereotypes prevalent in the dominant society, leading to a phenomenon known as “internalized homophobia.”

The irrational fear and/or hatred of those who are perceived to break or blur stereotypical gender roles, expressed as stereotyping, discrimination, harassment and/or violence. Usually directed at those who defy stereotypical gender norms or those who are perceived to exhibit non-heterosexual characteristics regardless of their actual gender identity or sexual orientation.

The individual person, group, or institutional norms and behaviors that result from the assumption that all people are heterosexual and/or cisgender. The system of oppression, which assumes that heterosexuality/cisgender identity is inherently normal and superior, negates LGBTQA peoples’ lives and relationships.