LGBT Terminology
Basic definitions relating to sexualities and genders
There are a lot of acronyms and terms relating to sexuality and gender which can be very confusing. If you search LGBT terminology online you can come across lists with so many new words it can feel overwhelming.
We have listed some of the most commonly used terms below. If you’d like to explore this further, we have included links at the end of this guide to more detailed information.
Sexuality
This refers to who you find attractive. On the Genderbread person it is represented by the ‘heart’.
Lesbian: a female who finds females attractive.
Gay: a male who finds males attractive (but just to confuse matters, it is sometimes used instead of the term lesbian and can describe a gay woman).
Bisexual: a person who finds both males and females attractive. This does not mean that they date two people at the same time, but simply that they may date either a man or a woman, as they find both attractive.
Straight: a person who finds the opposite sex attractive. E.g. a female who likes males and vice versa.
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