When we learned our A-B-C’s and 1-2-3’s as children, they were easy to commit to memory as they remained consistent throughout our lives. LGBTQ+, on the other hand, is an evolving abbreviation representing a diverse community through a variety of sexual and gender identities. For more information, visit www.TransHealthTO.com

2. Lesbian
Gay
Bisexual
Transgender
Queer
Questioning
Intersex
Pansexual
Two-Spirit
Asexual
Ally
Plus Sign

3. Lesbian:
A self-identified woman who is romantically/sexually attracted to other self-identified
women.

4. Gay:
A self-identified man who is romantically/sexually attracted to other self-identified men.

5. Bisexual:
A person who is romantically/sexually attracted to people of the same or another gender.

6. Transgender:
A term for people whose gender identity, expression, or behaviour is different from their
assigned sex at birth. ‘Trans’ is often used an an umbrella term that includes but is not
limited to people who identify as transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming (or
genderqueer).

7. Queer:
An umbrella term used and reclaimed by some whose sexual orientations and/or gender
identities fall outside of cisgender/heteronormatives.

8. Questioning:
A person who is in the process of exploring their own sexual identity, orientation, and/or
gender.

9. Intersex:
A term used to describe individuals born with sex characteristics (chromosomes, gonads,
sex hormones, or genitals) that do not fit the typical medical definitions of male or female
bodies.

10. Pansexual:
A person who is attracted to other people regardless of gender.

11. Two Spirit:
A contemporary term that refers to the historical and current First Nations people whose
individual spirits were or are a bled of male and female spirits. This term is reserved for
and has been reclaimed by Indigenous communities in order to honor their heritage and
provide an alternative to Western labels.

12. Asexual:
A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to people of any gender.

13. Ally:
A person who works to end a form of oppression that gives them privilege(s). Allies listen
to, and are guided by, communities and individuals affected by oppression. Forms of
oppression include: ableism, ageism, audism, classism, biphobia, homophobia,
transphobia, racism, sexism, and others.

14. Plus Sign:
A plus sign is added to represent identities outside of, or not represented, by this
acronym. This list continues to grow as more groups find their identity, voice and
community.

15. www.TransHealthTO.com