The Meaning of LGBTQ: What It Is and How To Use It

Are you wondering what the word LGBTQ means? Do you know what each initial stands for? Are you trying to be a better ally to members of the LGBTQ community? 

Learn about the acronym LGBTQ today with The Word Counter!

What Does the Word LGBTQ Mean?

According to OK2BME, the term LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning. This is an umbrella term used to refer to anyone who falls under one of these categories and encompasses many more categories than are explicitly listed. This term refers to anyone whose sexual orientation or gender identity falls outside of heterosexuality or cisgender. 

Sometimes, this term is shortened to LGBT. Other times, it is listed as the full acronym LGBTQIA+. The I stands for Intersex, and the A stands for asexuality. Some people argue that it can also stand for Ally, but people in the community hold firm in its standing for asexuality. 

While allies are welcome to befriend the LGBTQ community, it is important to recognize that they are not a part of the community and do not experience the discrimination that people in the LGBTQ community face. Allies should practice inclusion and support of their LGBTQ friends.

The Letter L

The first letter of the acronym LGBTQ, L, stands for lesbian. This is a woman who only experiences sexual attraction to other women. 

As a looser definition, it can refer to non-men who are only attracted to non-men. Some lesbians identify their gender expression as nonbinary, so this is a way to make the term lesbian more inclusive.

The Letter G

The second letter, G, stands for gay. People can use this to refer to a male who is only attracted to other males but can also be seen as an umbrella term that can be used for a female who is only attracted to other females. 

The Letter B

The third letter, B, stands for bisexual. Someone who is bisexual experiences sexual attraction to two or more genders. 

Other types of sexual orientation that fall under the bisexual umbrella are pansexuality and polysexuality, both of which refer to an attraction of multiple genders. Someone who is pansexual is attracted to people regardless of gender.

The Letter T

The fourth letter, T, stands for transgender. This is an umbrella term that refers to people who are transgender, but also people who fall outside of the binary gender, such as people who are nonbinary, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, genderfluid, and gender-neutral. 

Anyone who does not identify as cis can fall under the trans umbrella. A trans woman, trans man, or another community member may choose to have surgery to help their gender dysphoria or create a look that better represents them. They also may take hormones to achieve a similar effect. 

The Letter Q

Finally, the letter Q stands for either queer or questioning. Queer is a larger umbrella term that can refer to anyone in the LGBTQ community. Some people who have a sexual orientation that is not heterosexual or a gender expression that is not cisgender may identify as queer instead of disclosing their specific gender identity or sexual orientation.

The letter Q can also stand for questioning. This refers to a person questioning their gender identity or sexual orientation. This letter was added so that people who are not quite sure where they fall within the LGBT community are still welcomed and represented. 

What Is Other Terminology That You Might Hear in the LGBTQ Community?

Many different terms are used within the LGBT community, as is the case in all communities and subgroups of people. This list of terms from LGBTQIA Health Education and the University of California San Francisco can help introduce you to many of these terms:

•  Asexual
•  Men who have sex with men/women who have sex with women (MSM/WSW)
•  Polyamorous
•  Disorders of Sex Development
•  Top surgery
•  Bisexual
•  Transfeminine
•  Tucking
•  Aromantic
•  Coming out
•  Cross-sex hormone therapy
•  Binding
•  Structural stigma
•  Drag
•  Gender identity
•  Straight
•  Gender non-conforming
•  Pansexual
•  Gender binary
•  Assigned sex at birth

How Can the Word LGBTQ Be Used in a Sentence?

The word LGBTQ can be used in many different sentences and settings. Someone might refer to themselves as part of the LGBTQ community, but you shouldn’t assume another person’s gender identity or sexuality. 

You can use LGBTQ to refer to the community in general and centers or groups that are LGBTQ-focused. Below are a few different examples of using the term LGBTQ in a sentence:

The members of the LGBTQ community have a pride parade in June.

Let’s go to the LGBTQ center to get some advice since you have been discovering your sexuality.

The LGBTQ members of the community rallied around the young woman who was kicked out of her house for being gay.

On our campus, we have an LGBTQ center that hosts educational workshops, has free therapists, and has fun events for people of the community to get to know one another.

Conclusion

Overall, the word LGBTQ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning. This acronym is an umbrella term used to refer to any person whose sexual orientation or gender identity falls outside of being heterosexual or cisgender. 

This acronym is often used when discussing civil rights, human rights, and discrimination that people in the community face. 

Sources:

1. General Definitions | LGBT Resource Center 
2. Glossary of LGBT Terms for Health Care Teams | LGBTQIA Health Education
3. What Does LGBTQ+ Mean? | OK2BME