LGBTQ definitions every good ally should know

NEWS

By Alia E. Dastagir

intersectionality

The understanding of how a person's overlapping identities –including race, class, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and disability status – impact the way they experience oppression and discrimination.

noun

in·​ter·​sec·​tion·​al·​i·​ty 

ally

A person who is not LGBTQ but uses their privilege to support LGBTQ people and promote equality. Allies "stand up and speak out even when the people they're allying for aren't there." 

noun

al·​ly

transgender

A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

adjective

trans·​gen·​der 

nonbinary

Someone who doesn't identify exclusively as female or male.

adjective

non·​bi·​na·​ry 

genderqueer

People who reject static, conventional categories of gender and embrace fluid ideas of gender (and often sexual orientation). 

adjective, noun

gen·​der·​queer

pansexual

A person who can be attracted to all different kinds of people, regardless of their gender identity. 

adjective

pan·​sex·​u·​al 

heteronormative

A cultural bias that considers heterosexuality (being straight) the norm. When you first meet someone, do you automatically assume they're straight? That's heteronormativity. 

adjective

het·​ero·​nor·​ma·​tive 

TERF

The acronym for "trans exclusionary radical feminists," referring to feminists who are transphobic.

adjective

het·​ero·​nor·​ma·​tive 

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