Good evening, I’m [INTRODUCE YOURSELF]. Glad to be here. I think it’s important that we’re all on the same page when we’re having conversations about our students, so I’d like to take a couple of minutes to shed a little light on the big, umbrella acronym: LGBTQQIAA2SNB+. As you likely know, it stands for various identities within the broader LGBTQ+ community. Let’s dive into each term and what they mean:
L – Lesbian
A woman (or nonbinary person) who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
G – Gay
A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same gender. Men, women and non-binary people may use this term to describe themselves.
B – Bisexual
A person emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to more than one gender.
T – Transgender
A broad term for people whose gender identity (how they see themselves) is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This can include trans men, trans women, and nonbinary people.
Q – Queer
A reclaimed umbrella term for people who don’t fit into traditional categories of gender and sexuality. It can mean different things to different people but is often used as a fluid, inclusive identity.
Q – Questioning
Someone who is exploring their gender identity or sexual orientation. It acknowledges that discovering one’s identity is a process.
I – Intersex
A person born with physical sex characteristics (such as chromosomes, hormones, or anatomy) that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female. It is a natural variation in human biology and is different from being transgender.
A – Asexual (Ace):
A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.
A – Ally:
Sometimes included to represent supportive non-LGBTQ+ people who advocate for equality.
2S – Two-Spirit
A term used by some Indigenous North American communities to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits. It can refer to gender identity, roles, or sexuality, but it’s a culturally specific identity and not interchangeable with other LGBTQ+ terms.
NB – Nonbinary
A gender identity that doesn’t fit strictly within the categories of male or female. Nonbinary people may identify as both genders, neither, or something entirely different. Some related terms include genderfluid, agender, and genderqueer.
+ (Plus)
Represents all other identities that don’t fall under the main letters, ensuring inclusivity for all gender and sexual identities.
So yes, it is one long and inclusive acronym! And in practice, it’s most common to use a shorter one, like LGBTQ+. Whatever you choose, it’s important to acknowledge a wide spectrum of identities and experiences, because we all deserve respect, kindness, and honestly, greater understanding. Thank you for listening, it’s one of the greatest gifts we can offer each other these days. I hope you have a good night!
