The document defines key terms related to sexual orientation and gender identity. It describes sexual orientations including heterosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, asexuality, queer and definitions for gay and lesbian. It also defines gender identity, gender expression, transgender, gender transition and gender dysphoria. The document provides brief descriptions of each term.

1. Sexual orientation
An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people.
Straight
As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality is "an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or
sexual attractions" to persons of the opposite sex; it "also refers to a person's sense of identity
based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share
those attractions."
Bisexuality is an attraction to more than one gender. Those who identify as bisexual feel a sexual
and/or romantic attraction to people of a different gender as well as their own. While this offers a
basic definition, bisexual people are a diverse group. Each individual perceives their sexual
orientation differently.
Pan-sexual definition
Typically, people who identify as pansexual can feel an attraction to anyone, including individuals
who do not identify as a specific gender. Pansexual people may describe their attraction as focusing
on personality rather than gender.
For example, people with a pansexual orientation may feel an attraction to the personality of
someone who is a gender. They might equally find a female, male, or gender-fluid person
attractive. It is important to note that identifying as pansexual does not mean feeling attracted to
everyone, just as a heterosexual male does not feel an attraction to every female, and vice versa.
Asexuality
Asexuality is the lack of sexual attraction to others, or low or absent interest in or desire for sexual
activity. It may be considered a sexual orientation or the lack thereof. It may also be categorized
more widely to include a broad spectrum of asexual sub-identities.
Queer
Queer is an umbrella term for people who reject heteronormativity. It is also used as a self-identity
label with respect to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
Heteronormativity
Heteronormativity is the concept that heterosexuality is the preferred or normal mode of sexual
orientation. It assumes the gender binary (i.e., that there are only two distinct, opposite genders)
and that sexual and marital relations are most fitting between people of opposite sex.
Gay
Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The
term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to
male homosexuality dates to the late 19th century, that meaning became increasingly common by
the mid-20th century.

2. Lesbian
lesbian of, relating to, or being a woman who is sexually attracted to people of her own sex or
gender.
Gender identity
One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals
perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One's gender identity can be the same or
different from their sex assigned at birth.
Gender expression
External appearance of one's gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut
or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics
typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
Transgender
An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural
expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any
specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian,
bisexual, etc.
Gender transition
The process by which some people strive to more closely align their internal knowledge of gender
with its outward appearance. Some people socially transition, whereby they might begin dressing,
using names and pronouns and/or be socially recognized as another gender. Others undergo
physical transitions in which they modify their bodies through medical interventions.
Gender dysphoria
Clinically significant distress caused when a person's assigned birth gender is not the same as the
one with which they identify. According to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the term – which replaces Gender Identity Disorder
– "is intended to better characterize the experiences of affected children, adolescents, and adults."
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