Glossary

ableism—the belief that able-bodied people are normal and people with disabilities are inferior, and the resulting exclusion of and/or discrimination against individuals with disabilities

ally—a person who supports the rights and freedoms of a marginalized or oppressed group that they do not belong to themselves

asexual—a person who is generally not sexually attracted to anyone and feels little or no sexual desire

bisexual (or bi)—a person who is attracted to two or more genders

cisgender—a person whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth

classism—discrimination against people because of their perceived social or economic class; also refers to the system of beliefs and structures that disadvantages some social classes while unfairly benefiting others

coming out—the process LGBTQ+ people go through as they move toward understanding, accepting and being more open about their gender identity or sexual orientation

discrimination—actions or decisions that treat a person or a group negatively because of their perceived race, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion or disability

drag—an art form that involves both costume and performance; drag queens are generally men who dress and perform in feminine clothing, and drag kings are generally women who dress and perform in masculine clothing

dyke march—a political demonstration that aims to increase visibility for lesbians and transgender people and all women who love women, however they identify themselves

equality—the state of having the same rights, freedoms, social status, etc.

gay—usually refers to men who are attracted to other men but can also be used more broadly to refer to people who are attracted primarily to people of their own gender. Some women and non-binary people also identify as gay. Gay is also used more generally—for example, to refer to the gay rights movement.

genderfluid—a term used to describe a gender identity that shifts from day to day

gender identity—an internal sense of one’s gender (male, female, non-binary)

gender neutral—a person who doesn’t identify as either male or female

genderqueer—a person whose gender identity lies outside traditional binary ideas of masculine and feminine; also known as non-binary

GSAs—Gay-Straight Alliances or Gender and Sexualities Alliances, school-based clubs where LGBTQ+ students and allies can meet, support each other and work to make their schools and communities safer and more inclusive

heterosexism—the system of beliefs and attitudes based on the idea that everyone is or should be attracted to the opposite sex, and the resulting prejudice and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people

homophobia—the fear or hatred of people who are gay, lesbian or bisexual

intersex—a person whose physical sex (their body, their chromosomes and their hormones) doesn’t fit easily into traditional categories of male or female

labrys—a double-headed ax from ancient Crete, representing lesbian and feminist strength