ACRONYMS 101

What do they all mean?

The LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning) community has a range of acronyms and terms that are used to describe various identities and experiences. Here are some common acronyms used within the LGBTQ community

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2SLGBTQIA+: The most current form of the general LGBTQ term in Canada which stands for 2Spirit (out of respect that 2 Spirited people have existed since time immemorial), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and other identities.

LGBT: A general term that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender.

Queer: A term that is often used as an umbrella term to describe people who are not exclusively heterosexual or cisgender.

Two-Spirit: A term used by some Indigenous people to describe individuals who have both a masculine and feminine spirit.

Pansexual: A term used to describe people who are attracted to all genders.

Asexual: A term used to describe people who do not experience sexual attraction.

Non-Binary: A term used to describe people who do not identify exclusively as male or female.

Transgender: A term used to describe people whose gender identity does not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Cisgender: A term used to describe people whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

Genderqueer: A term used to describe people who identify outside of the gender binary (male or female).

Intersex: A term used to describe people who are born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical male or female definitions.

Ally: A term used to describe someone who supports and advocates for the LGBTQ community, even if they do not personally identify as LGBTQ themselves.

These acronyms and terms are constantly evolving and changing as the community grows and expands, so it's important to stay informed and respectful of the language and terminology used by individuals within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.