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

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E
• F
• G
• H
• I
• J
• K
• L
• M
• N
• O
• P
• Q
• R
• S
• T
• U
• V
• W
• X
• Y
• Z

Agender

Description

Not identifying as any gender – whether female, male, or non-binary. Agender people are genderless.

Ally

Description

Being an ally means that you actively support LGBTQ+ people and challenge discrimination and inequality wherever you see it.

Asexual (ace)

Description

An umbrella term to describe people who don't experience sexual attraction. Some asexual people occasionally experience sexual attraction to a specific person they have a strong bond with (known as demisexual), and some experience little or no romantic attraction (known as aromantic).

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