Our brethren from the LGBTQ community had been silenced for the longest time, as the society continued to grapple with the possibility of (rightfully) acknowledging their realities and enabling them to speak about their experiences and expectations, the same way we discuss our weekend plans.

Until a few weeks ago, talking about these experiences might have seemed like a far-fetched dream for most, but the recent amendment of Section 377 has opened newer avenues for people to come out (literally) and indulge in an active discourse around the myriad nuances that make the LGBTQ community.

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Why Do We Need Pro-LGBTQ Terminology

If some of you have been wondering about the usefulness of this “guide”, then allow us to elucidate. Human society sustains on language as a mode of interaction and expression, and this forms the basis of why we must be aware of the niche terminologies related to the LGBTQ people and use them appropriately in our interactions.

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Disclaimer: It must be understood that meanings tend to undergo changes and evolve over time. Mentioned below are some of the most commonly used terms (from amongst a more wholesome well of lexicon), that the LGBTQ community uses to describe themselves and their experiences. We must be aware of the same and use them accurately and respectfully during conversations.

Identity terms are often dodgy and though we have tried to do justice to their meanings, it must be known that we have no intention of offending or hurting anybody from the LGBTQ community who may feel it does not describe them or the idea perfectly.

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Here are 27 terms you must include in your vocabulary:

1. Advocate

An individual who actively strives to propagate social equality for the marginalised groups by raising awareness, in order to end intolerance towards them.

2. Agender

A person who does not identify with the traditional concept of gender and/or sees themselves as existing without a gender.

3. Ally

A person who possesses socio-economic privileges, understands its effects and challenges such as practices that make a section of our society less privileged. An ally supports and respects all the members of the LGBTQ community.

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4. Androgynous

Used to describe an individual whose appearance and mannerisms merge both masculine and feminine traits which result in ambiguity.

5. Asexual

Used to describe someone who does not experience sexual attraction towards others. Often confused with celibacy, asexuality is a sexual orientation whereas the former is a conscious choice.

6. Bicurious

It is to be curious about one's attraction towards people of the same gender.

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7. Biological ***

A medical term for classification of an individual as male, female or intersex, on the basis of their chromosomal, hormonal and anatomical characteristics.

8. Bisexual

Someone who is romantically and sexually attracted to both men as well as women.

9. Butch

An individual who sees themselves as the masculine partner in a relationship, be it physically, mentally or emotionally.

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10. Cisgender

An individual whose gender identity is in alignment with his/her biological ***.

11. Closeted

Someone who is not open to themselves or others about their sexuality or gender identity, either as a choice or out of fear.

12. Coming Out

It is the process of accepting one's one's own sexuality or gender identity, to themselves as well as to others.

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13. Cross-Dresser

An individual who dresses in the clothes of the opposite ***.

14. Femme

An individual who sees themselves as the feminine partner in a relationship, physically, mentally or emotionally.

15. Gay

(Mostly applied to men) Individuals who are primarily romantically or sexually attracted to members of the same ***.

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16. Gender-Fluid

A gender identity which is a dynamic mix of a boy and a girl. A gender-fluid person may feel more manly one day and more womanly the other.

17. Gender Identity

It is the internal perception of one's own gender, and how they wish to label themselves as per traditional gender alignment.

18. Genderqueer

It is a gender identity label used by individuals who do not identify with the binary of man/woman.

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19. Lesbian

Women who are romantically and sexually attracted to other women.

20. Openly Gay

Somebody who identifies as lesbian or gay in their personal, public and/or professional lives.

21. Pansexual

Someone who is sexually and romantically attracted to members of all gender identities.

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22. Queer

An umbrella term to describe individuals who don't identify themselves as straight.

23. Sexual Orientation

The type of sexual, romantic, spiritual attraction one feels for others, based on the gender relations between the person and the people they are attracted to.

24. Straight

Used to refer to people who have a sexual and romantic attraction to individuals of the opposite gender.

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25. Transgender

Someone who is a member of a gender other than that assigned at birth, based on anatomical ***.

26. Transman/Transwoman

An identity label adopted by female-to-male or male-to-female transgender people to mean that they are men/women while affirming their history as assigned female/male *** at birth.

27. Transsexual

a person who identifies psychologically as a gender other than the one to which they were born into. They often want to change their bodies to match their inner sense of gender.