adj. : a gender description for when someone’s sex assigned at birth and
gender identity correspond in the expected way (e.g., someone who was assigned male at birth, and
identifies as a man). A simple way to think about it is if a person is not transgender, they are
cisgender. The word cisgender can also be shortened to “cis.”
adj. : experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others and/or has
a lack of interest in romantic relationships/behavior. Aromanticism exists on a continuum from
people who experience no romantic attraction or have any desire for romantic activities, to those who
experience low levels, or romantic attraction only under specific conditions. Many of these different
places on the continuum have their own identity labels (see demiromantic). Sometimes abbreviated
to “aro” (pronounced like “arrow”).
noun : the assumption, in individuals and in institutions, that everyone is cisgender,
and that cisgender identities are superior to trans* identities and people. Leads to invisibility of
non-cisgender identities.
verb : involuntary or unwanted disclosure of another person’s sexual orientation, gender
identity, or intersex status.
a person primarily emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to some people
who are not their same sex/gender. A more colloquial term for the word heterosexual.
adj. : being primarily sexually, romantically
and/or emotionally attracted to woman, females, and/or femininity .
noun : an umbrella term for a range of negative attitudes (e.g., fear, anger,
intolerance, resentment, erasure, or discomfort) that one may have toward LGBTQ people. The term
can also connote a fear, disgust, or dislike of being perceived as LGBTQ.
term for a combination of chromosomes, gonads, hormones, internal sex organs,
and genitals that differs from the two expected patterns of male or female. Formerly known as
hermaphrodite (or hermaphroditic), but these terms are now outdated and derogatory.
1 adj. : a gender identity label often used by people who do not identify with the
binary of man/woman. 2 adj. : an umbrella term for many gender non-conforming or non-binary
identities (e.g., agender, bigender, genderfluid).
1 adj. : a gender description for someone who has transitioned (or is transitioning)
from living as one gender to another. 2 adj. : an umbrella term for anyone whose sex assigned at birth
and gender identity do not correspond in the expected way (e.g., someone who was assigned male at
birth, but does not identify as a man).
adj. : a man with a strong aesthetic sense who spends more time, energy, or money
on his appearance and grooming than is considered gender normative
noun and adj. a person who identifies psychologically as a gender/sex other than the
one to which they were assigned at birth. Transsexuals often wish to transform their bodies
hormonally and surgically to match their inner sense of gender/sex.
noun : behavior that grants preferential treatment to heterosexual people, reinforces
the idea that heterosexuality is somehow better or more “right” than queerness, and/or makes other
sexualities invisible.
adj. : an individual who is not open to themselves or others about their (queer) sexuality or
gender identity. This may be by choice and/or for other reasons such as fear for one’s safety, peer or
family rejection, or disapproval and/or loss of housing, job, etc. Also known as being “in the closet.”
When someone chooses to break this silence they “come out” of the closet.
verb, adj. : an individual who or time when someone is unsure about or exploring their
own sexual orientation or gender identity.
a person who fluctuates between traditionally “woman” and “man” gender-based
behavior and identities, identifying with both genders (or sometimes identifying with either man or
woman, as well as a third, different gender).
adj. : an umbrella term covering a range of identities that transgress socially-defined gender
norms. Trans with an asterisk is often used in written forms (not spoken) to indicate that you are
referring to the larger group nature of the term, and specifically including non-binary identities, as
well as transgender men (transmen) and transgender women (transwomen).
noun : a (typically straight and/or cisgender) person who supports and respects
members of the LGBTQ community. We consider people to be active allies who take action on in
support and respect.
most commonly used to indicate a Black/African-American and/or Latina masculine
lesbian/queer woman. Also known as ‘butch’ or ‘aggressive’.
Where is my puzzle?