Vocabulary

An ally is usually a heterosexual and cisgender person who supports people of various sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions to promote their well-being and greater social acceptance. An ally can also be someone from the LGBTQ+ community who supports other communities outside their own (e.g., a lesbian who supports trans people).

A person whose gender identity and/or gender expression is situated between masculinity and femininity.

A person who does not experience sexual attraction to anyone. Asexuality exists on a spectrum. A person on the asexual spectrum is often referred to as “ace.”

A person who does not experience romantic attraction to anyone. Aromanticism exists on a spectrum. A person on this spectrum is often referred to as “aro.”

A person who feels the desire to have romantic and/or sexual relationships with people of a gender different from those they usually engage with, but who does not identify as bisexual.

Negative attitudes toward bisexuality that can lead to direct or indirect discrimination against bisexual people or those perceived as such. Biphobia is often rooted in misunderstanding and prejudice, such as the belief that bisexual people are more sexually active, unfaithful, or unsure of what they want. This form of discrimination may come from both heterosexual individuals and members of other sexually and gender-diverse communities.

A person who experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction toward people of two genders.

In some Indigenous communities, a person who embodies characteristics or qualities considered both masculine and feminine. This may involve gender identity, gender expression and/or sexual orientation. Two-Spirit is represented by the “2S” in the acronym LGBTQI2S+.

A system that divides people into two mutually exclusive genders: male and female. This system does not account for the full diversity of human identities and excludes intersex, trans and non-binary individuals.

A person whose gender identity matches the gender and sex assigned to them at birth (see also: sex).

The act of disclosing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity to others. In French, this is sometimes referred to as “coming out of the closet.” Coming out is often a gradual process that begins with close friends or family. It is important to respect a person’s choice and never disclose someone’s orientation or identity without their consent.

An umbrella term that includes all sexual orientations and the full range of gender identities and expressions. It includes lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people, as well as other communities such as queer, intersex, asexual and Two-Spirit individuals (LGBTQIA2S+).

A person who performs a gender different from their own through a character, often using exaggerated or humorous expression. Drag is a form of performance art, entertainment and/or parody, not a gender identity or sexual orientation.

A feeling of intense discomfort experienced by some trans people due to the gap between their sex assigned at birth, societal expectations around gender, their body and their gender identity. Not all trans people experience dysphoria.

The way a person publicly presents their gender—for example, through behaviour, clothing, hairstyle, or makeup. Common forms also include one’s chosen name and pronouns. It’s important to remember that gender identity and gender expression are two distinct concepts.

• Homoparental family: Any type of family in which at least one parent identifies as lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB). These families can take many forms: two-parent, single-parent, blended, adoptive, foster, multiethnic, biracial, etc. LGB parents may be cisgender or trans.
• Transparental family: Any type of family in which at least one parent is trans. A trans person may become a parent before or after beginning a gender transition and may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, or any other orientation.

A person whose gender identity or sexual orientation is changeable or not limited to traditional definitions of male or female.

A synonym for “homosexual,” most often used to refer to a man. Some prefer “gay” over “homosexual” because the latter carries clinical or overly sexualized connotations.

Also known as heteronormativity, this is the belief that everyone is—or should be—heterosexual and that heterosexuality is inherently better or more acceptable because it aligns with social norms. This belief often leads to homophobia.

A person who is only romantically or sexually attracted to people of a gender different from their own.

Negative attitudes toward homosexuality, which can lead to direct or indirect discrimination against gay, lesbian, or bisexual people, or those perceived as such. There are also specific forms of homophobia, such as lesbophobia and biphobia, when this aversion targets lesbian or bisexual individuals in particular.

A person who experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction to people of the same gender.

How a person feels internally—whether as a man, a woman, somewhere in between, or neither. This intimate and personal experience is unique to each person. It is not determined by biological sex and may differ from the gender assigned at birth (see: trans).

Intersex people are born with sex characteristics (genital, hormonal, gonadal, or chromosomal) that don’t fit typical medical definitions of “male” or “female.” In such cases, doctors often assign a sex and reinforce it through surgery (considered by the United Nations as a form of mutilation) and/or hormones. Some chromosomal intersex variations may not be visible externally. Approximately 1.7% of the global population is born with intersex traits. Intersex people can have any sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

An analytical perspective that considers how a person’s experience is shaped by the combination of multiple identity categories—such as sex, gender, skin colour, ethnicity, social class, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, ability, body type, nationality, religion and beliefs—and how these identities interact to create unique experiences of discrimination.

"Any behaviour, comment, act or gesture—whether deliberate or not and whether expressed directly or indirectly, including online—that is repetitive and occurs in a context of unequal power dynamics between the individuals involved, with the effect of causing distress, harm, injury, oppression or social exclusion." (Government of Québec, 2012)

A woman who experiences romantic and/or sexual attraction to other women. Some prefer the term “lesbian” over “homosexual,” as the latter carries medical or sexualized connotations.

This acronym exists in many forms, including LGBT, LGBTQ, LGBTQ+, LGBTQIA+ and LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, aromantic or ally and Two-Spirit). The “+” represents other sexual and gender-diverse communities not named in the core letters (e.g. pansexual, non-binary, etc.).

Using the wrong name, pronouns or grammatical gender when referring to someone, whether intentionally or not.

A spectrum of gender identities and expressions that do not align with either of the binary genders (male or female). A non-binary person’s gender identity and/or expression is neither exclusively masculine nor exclusively feminine.

A term used to describe attraction to a particular type of person (e.g., men, women, or others). Despite the word “sexual,” it often includes various types of attraction: aesthetic (finding someone visually beautiful), sensual (desiring physical closeness), sexual (wanting to engage in sexual activity), intellectual (being drawn to someone’s mind) and romantic (feeling love or emotional connection).

A person who feels romantic and/or sexual attraction to individuals of all genders (female, male, non-binary).

An umbrella term encompassing all possible gender identities and expressions.

Pronouns that correspond to a person’s gender identity (e.g., he, she, or they/iel). When in doubt, ask the person which pronouns they use.

A person who identifies with a gender identity or sexual orientation that is fluid or outside the norm. “Queer” is also used as an umbrella term (e.g. “queer culture”).

Note: This term was originally a slur against LGBTQ+ people. Although it has been reclaimed by many, some, especially among those who originally experienced it as an insult, still feel uncomfortable with it. It is best to avoid using the term unless the person uses it to describe themselves.

A person who is exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity. This process can occur at any age.

Sex is assigned at birth by medical professionals, typically based on external genitalia. It can also be determined by other factors such as hormone production, chromosomes and reproductive organs. A person’s sex may be male, female, or—when these criteria are not fully aligned—intersex.

An umbrella term referring to someone whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. The word “trans” includes the terms “transgender” and “transsexual,” which are now considered outdated. Not to be confused with “crossdresser.”

The identity of a trans person.

Example: Homosexuality and trans identity are not illnesses.

The process of moving from one gender to another. Transition can take many forms:

– Social (e.g., changing pronouns)

– Physical (e.g., changing hairstyle or clothing style)

– Medical (e.g., hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgery)

Each person’s transition journey is unique and all forms of transition are valid.

Negative attitudes that can lead to rejection or direct or indirect discrimination against trans people, crossdressers, or anyone who challenges gender norms or societal expectations related to sex and gender.

(A translation of travesti·e) A person who occasionally adopts the appearance of a gender different from their own but does not necessarily identify with that gender.

Example: A man who sometimes wears dresses.

This is a behaviour—not a gender identity or sexual orientation.