This glossary has been produced by members of LGBTQ+ youth groups in England with Dr Lucy Jones from the University of Nottingham. We hope it helps you to understand the language used by many young LGBTQ+ people to describe their lives and their identities, and to support them through their journey into adulthood.

Glossary of words

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Labels

Description

LGBTQ+ people often use labels (for example, 'lesbian') to describe their gender and/or sexual identity. Not everybody wants to use a label, though, and they can carry different meanings for different people. The important thing is to respect the way that someone describes their own identity, and to not question or deny the labels they use.

Lesbian

Description

Somebody who is attracted only to other women. Not all people who identify as lesbian necessarily also identify as women; some non-binary people use the label, too.

LGBTQ+

Description

An acronym to represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning people. The plus symbol is inclusive of all other non-cisgender and non-heterosexual identities, too. A longer version of the acronym is also often used, and includes intersex and asexual people: LGBTQIA+.

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