This page provides an overview of some critical terms and concepts. Identity-specific definitions and other LGBTQIA+ primers can be found on the Introduction page, Reading Lists! page (coming soon!), and Reference Materials page.
One important concept to understand is the distinctions between assigned sex, gender, sexuality, and romantic identity. The following definitions will overview these critical distinctions and introduce terms that may be common in materials discussing LGBTQIA+ topics.
- Gender - A person's gender is a socially-constructed set of characteristics, behaviors, roles, expressions, and/or identities, which "influences how people perceive themselves and each other, how they act and interact, and the distribution of power and resources in society" (Canadian Institutes of Health Research [CIHR], 2023). As a result, gender is distinct from assigned or biological sex.
- Assigned sex - A person's assigned sex is a set of biological attributes as well as physical and physiological features (CIHR, 2023). Often, the sex assigned at or before birth leads to assigned genders and gender roles on a man/woman binary.
- Cisgender - Cisgender individuals are those whose gender identity aligns with the gender they were assigned at birth.
- Transgender - Transgender serves as an umbrella term for individuals whose gender identities do not align with the gender they were assigned. Most commonly, the term transgender is used to describe individuals whose identity aligns with the opposite gender than they were assigned from the man/woman binary. There are several other identities that fit beneath the transgender umbrella, including nonbinary, agender, genderqueer, genderfluid, bigender, demiboy, demigirl, and more. For definitions and resources about these identities, please see the resources shared on the Introduction, Reading Lists!, and Reference Materials pages.
- Sexuality - Sexuality is the sexual attraction an individual may or may not feel for others. Sexuality is often defined by attraction to individuals of specific genders.
- Romantic identity - Romantic identity is the romantic attraction an individual may or may not feel for others. Romantic identity is often defined by attraction to individuals of specific genders.
- Heterosexuality - Heterosexuality is the sexual attraction to others of the opposite binary man/woman genders.
- Allosexual & alloromantic - An allosexual is someone who feels sexual attraction while an alloromantic is someone who feels romantic attraction.
- Queer - Queer is an umbrella term (reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community) to describe the community and its individuals, whose gender, sexuality, or romantic identity do not align with socially-assigned constructions. There are many identities that fit beneath the queer umbrella, including all the letters in the LGBTQIA+ acronym and more. For definitions and resources about these identities, please see the resources shared on the Introduction, Reading Lists!, and Reference Materials pages.
- Cis-het or cishet - Cishet is a shortened form of the phrase cisgender heterosexual.
- Heteronormative - Heteronormativity is the assumption that heterosexuality is the default sexuality or that everyone is heterosexual; in this way, it implies that heterosexuality is superior or "normal" while other sexualities are "different" or "abnormal." Heteronormativity is present throughout society, such as in the stereotype that boys and girls can't be "just friends" and the current legal right to refuse service to LGBTQ+ individuals or partners.
- Amatonormative - Amatonormativity is the assumption that all individuals are driven to or must pursue romantic and/or sexual relationships; in this way, it implies that serious relationships and/or marriage are superior or "normal" and that single individuals are "lonely," "abnormal," or "missing something." Amatonormativity is present in much of society, such as treating romantic relationships as more important than friendships/platonic relationships, the pressure to date and marry, and the benefits for married couples (e.g. housing, tax benefits, etc.).
References & Additional Resources
Asexual & Aromantic Community and Education Club. (n.d.). Allonormativity & amatonormativity. Smith College. https://sites.smith.edu/aace/about-asexuality-and-aromanticism/allonormativity-and-amatonormativity/
Canadian Institutes of Health Research. (2023, May 8). What is gender? What is sex? https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/48642.html
Human Rights Campaign. (2023, May 31). Glossary of terms. https://www.hrc.org/resources/glossary-of-terms
PFLAG. (n.d.). PFLAG National Glossary. https://pflag.org/glossary/
