LGBTQ+ glossary

A

Agender

A person who does not identify with any gender, or who feels that gender simply is not part of who they are. Agender people may use any pronouns, often they/them. It sits under the wider non-binary umbrella, but not every agender person uses that word. As always, the person's own description is the one that counts.See also: Non-binary, Pronouns

Ally

Someone who is not LGBTQ+ themselves but actively supports LGBTQ+ people: speaking up, learning, listening and showing up. Allyship is about action more than labels. A good ally respects pronouns, challenges unfair jokes and makes space for queer voices without taking the spotlight. Many friends and family members grow into this role over time.See also: Safe space, Queer-friendly

Aromantic

A person who feels little or no romantic attraction to others. Aromantic people, often shortened to aro, may still want deep friendships, chosen family and lasting companionship. Being aromantic is separate from being asexual: a person can be one, the other, or both. It describes how someone experiences romance, not how much they care.See also: Asexual, Chosen family

Asexual

A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction. Often shortened to ace. Asexuality is a spectrum, and ace people may still want romance, partnership, closeness and family. It is a valid orientation, not a problem to be fixed. Many ace people are active in LGBTQ+ community life and appear in Pride celebrations worldwide.See also: Aromantic, Demisexual

B

Ballroom

An underground performance culture built by Black and Latino LGBTQ+ communities, where houses compete in categories such as runway, vogue and realness. Houses often act as chosen families for members. Ballroom gave the wider world voguing and much of today's queer slang. If you attend a ball, go to celebrate and learn, and respect the culture's roots.See also: Chosen family, Drag

Bear

A community word for a larger, often hairier man, usually gay or bi, with a warm and down-to-earth vibe. Bear culture has its own events, bars and symbols, and many people love it for being relaxed about body shape. Related words include cub for a younger bear and otter for a slimmer hairy man.See also: Otter, Twink

Bisexual

A person attracted to more than one gender. Bisexual people, often shortened to bi, may feel different kinds of attraction to different genders, and that can shift over time. Being bi is a complete identity on its own, not a halfway point. Bi people are a large part of the LGBTQ+ community, even when they are less visible.See also: Pansexual, Queer

Butch

A person, most often a lesbian or queer woman, whose style and presence lean masculine. Butch is an identity with a long and proud history in lesbian culture, not just a look. It pairs with femme in community language, though butch people date and love across the whole spectrum. Use it only for people who claim it.See also: Femme, Stud

C

Chosen family

The people you pick as your family: friends, mentors, exes and community members who show up for you like relatives do. For many LGBTQ+ people, chosen family fills gaps left by relatives who did not accept them, or simply adds a second home. Holidays, hard days and celebrations all happen here. It is one of the community's quiet superpowers.See also: Ballroom, Safe space

Cisgender

A person whose gender matches the sex they were assigned at birth. Often shortened to cis. It is simply the counterpart to transgender, a neutral descriptive word rather than an insult. Having a word for the majority experience helps everyone talk about gender clearly, without treating trans people as the only ones who have a gender.See also: Transgender, Heteronormativity

Coming out

Telling someone about your sexual orientation or gender identity. It is rarely a single moment; most people come out many times, to different people, across a whole life. You decide when, to whom and how much. There is no schedule to meet, and staying private in some settings while open in others is completely normal.See also: Out, Discreet

D

Deadname

The name a transgender or non-binary person was given at birth and no longer uses. Using it, on purpose or by accident, is called deadnaming and can be deeply hurtful. If you slip, correct yourself briefly and move on. On profiles and in chats, always use the name a person gives you, with no questions about the old one.See also: Misgendering, Transition

Demisexual

A person who feels sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond with someone. Demisexuality sits on the asexual spectrum. For demi people, attraction tends to grow out of friendship and trust rather than appearing at first sight, which is one reason slower, conversation-first ways of meeting often feel more natural to them.See also: Asexual, Situationship

Discreet

On profiles, discreet means a person keeps their LGBTQ+ life private from some or all of the people around them, for safety, family, work or personal reasons. It is a boundary to respect, not a judgement about anyone. Being discreet does not mean being ashamed. Never share someone's photos, name or identity outside the app without clear consent.See also: Out, Coming out

Drag

The art of performing gender through costume, make-up, character and stagecraft, often with lip-sync, comedy or dance. Drag is theatre and celebration, with deep roots in LGBTQ+ nightlife and community organising. Performers of any gender or orientation do drag. Shows, brunches and competitions are some of the most welcoming spaces for newcomers to find their people.See also: Drag king / drag queen, Ballroom

Drag king / drag queen

A drag queen performs an exaggerated, glamorous or comic feminine character; a drag king performs a masculine one. Both are stage personas and say nothing about the performer's own gender or orientation. Queens have long been visible in LGBTQ+ culture, and kings are increasingly celebrated too. Tip well, cheer loudly and ask before taking photos.See also: Drag

E

Ethical non-monogamy

An umbrella term for relationships where everyone involved knows about and agrees to having more than one partner. Honesty and consent are the whole point. It includes open relationships and polyamory, among other styles. Plenty of LGBTQ+ people choose it; plenty choose monogamy. Neither is more valid, and a profile that states it clearly helps everyone find a good fit.See also: Open relationship, Polyamory

F

Femme

A person, often a lesbian or queer woman, whose style and presence lean feminine, claimed as a queer identity rather than a default. Femme is not about being less queer or less visible; it is its own tradition with its own pride. The word is also used more broadly across the community for feminine-of-centre people.See also: Butch, Stud

G

Gay

A person attracted to people of the same gender. Most often used for men, though many women and non-binary people also call themselves gay. It is also an everyday umbrella word for the wider community, as in gay bar or gay village. Use it as an adjective, as in a gay man, rather than as a noun.See also: Lesbian, Queer

Gay village

The British and European name for a neighbourhood known for its LGBTQ+ bars, cafés, shops and community spaces. Think Soho in London or Canal Street in Manchester. Gay villages grew up as places where people could be themselves in public. Today they are a mix of nightlife, history and everyday life, and a natural starting point when you move to a new city.See also: Gayborhood, Safe space

Gayborhood

A playful North American word for a neighbourhood with a strong LGBTQ+ presence, such as the Castro in San Francisco or Hell's Kitchen in New York. Gayborhoods are where community centres, Pride routes and rainbow crosswalks tend to cluster. Many cities now have several, and queer life spreads well beyond them, but they remain welcoming landmarks for newcomers.See also: Gay village, Pride

Gaymer

An LGBTQ+ person who loves video games, board games or tabletop role-play. Gaymer communities run Discord servers, conventions, streaming groups and meet-ups where people can play without hiding who they are. It is a friendly, self-chosen word, not a brand. If you are shy in bars, a games night is often an easier first step into community.See also: Queer-friendly, Chosen family

Gender dysphoria and gender euphoria

Dysphoria is the distress a person can feel when their body or how others see them does not match their gender. Euphoria is the opposite: the joy of being seen and feeling right, maybe from a new name, a haircut or the correct pronoun. Not every trans person experiences dysphoria, and euphoria is a perfectly valid guide on its own.See also: Transition, Transgender

Genderfluid

A person whose gender shifts over time, perhaps between masculine, feminine and somewhere else, over days, months or years. Genderfluid people may change their presentation, name or pronouns to match how they feel. If someone tells you their pronouns have changed, simply switch and carry on. Flexibility and good humour go a long way.See also: Non-binary, Genderqueer

Genderqueer

A person whose gender falls outside the usual categories of man and woman, or who rejects those categories altogether. The word predates non-binary and carries a slightly more political, playful edge for many who use it. Some people identify as both genderqueer and non-binary; others prefer one. Follow the person's lead on which word fits.See also: Non-binary, Queer

H

Heteronormativity

The assumption, built into culture, language and institutions, that everyone is straight and cisgender unless proven otherwise. It shows up in small ways, like asking a woman about her husband, and large ways, like laws and forms that forget queer families exist. Naming it helps people notice it, question it and make room for everyone.See also: Cisgender, Ally

Homophobia, biphobia and transphobia

Prejudice, fear or hostility towards gay and lesbian people, bisexual people, and transgender people, respectively. It ranges from jokes and exclusion to discrimination and violence, and can also appear within the LGBTQ+ community itself. Recognising each form by name helps communities respond. If you experience it on Waimz, use the report and block tools; they are free for everyone.See also: Ally, Safe space

I

Intersex

A person born with sex characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones or anatomy, that do not fit typical definitions of male or female. Intersex is about the body, not orientation or gender identity, and intersex people may be any gender or orientation. The I in LGBTQIA+ stands for intersex. Treat it as private medical information unless someone shares it.See also: Transgender, Non-binary

L

Lesbian

A woman, or non-binary person who connects with womanhood, who is attracted to women. Lesbian culture has its own history, music, bars, books and humour, and a strong tradition of community organising. The word is proud and precise; some lesbians also use gay or queer. A person's own choice of label is always the right one.See also: Gay, Butch

LGBTQ+ community centre

A local hub run by and for LGBTQ+ people, offering support groups, social events, counselling, health information, youth and elder programmes, and a sofa to sit on. Most cities have at least one, and many are free to visit. If you are newly out, a community centre is often the safest first place to meet people in daylight.See also: Safe space, Pride

Looking for: friends, dates, community

Labels people add to their profile to say what they want right now. Friends means platonic connection and people to go out with. Dates means romantic interest. Community means groups, events and belonging. You can pick more than one and change them any time. Reading these first saves everyone awkwardness, so be honest about yours.See also: Situationship, Open relationship

M

Misgendering

Referring to someone with the wrong gender, usually through the wrong pronoun, title or word like sir or ladies. It can happen by accident or on purpose, and repeated misgendering is a form of disrespect. If you get it wrong, apologise briefly, correct it and keep going. Making a big scene centres you rather than the person affected.See also: Pronouns, Deadname

N

Non-binary

A person whose gender is not exclusively man or woman. Some non-binary people feel between genders, some feel both, some feel neither, and some experience gender as changing. Many use they/them pronouns, but not all. Non-binary is also an umbrella that includes agender, genderfluid and genderqueer people, and it sits within the wider transgender community for many.See also: Agender, Genderfluid, Genderqueer

O

Open relationship

A committed relationship in which the partners agree they may also have connections with other people, within rules they set together. Openness is negotiated and consensual, and the specifics vary from couple to couple. When you see it on a profile, it means the person is being transparent about their situation so you can decide what works for you.See also: Ethical non-monogamy, Polyamory

Otter

A community word for a slim or athletic man with body hair, usually gay or bi, sitting somewhere between bear and twink in the playful animal vocabulary. Like all these words, it is a lighthearted descriptor some people enjoy and others skip entirely. Nobody owes anyone a category, and it is never a requirement to pick one.See also: Bear, Twink

Out

Being open about your sexual orientation or gender identity. People can be out in some areas of life and not others: out to friends but not at work, for example. Being out is a personal decision shaped by safety and circumstance, never a measure of courage or pride. Outing someone else without consent is a serious breach of trust.See also: Coming out, Discreet

P

Pansexual

A person attracted to people regardless of gender. Pansexual people, often shortened to pan, may describe gender as not being a factor in who they fall for. The word overlaps with bisexual, and some people use both; the choice is personal. Both are complete, valid identities within the wider community of people attracted to more than one gender.See also: Bisexual, Queer

Passing

Being perceived by strangers as the gender you are, often said of trans people. It can bring safety and comfort, but it is a complicated idea: it suggests there is a test to pass, and nobody should need to look a certain way to be valid. Some trans people care about passing, some do not, and both approaches deserve respect.See also: Transition, Gender dysphoria and gender euphoria

Pink triangle

A symbol that gay men were forced to wear in Nazi concentration camps. Decades later, activists reclaimed it as a badge of memory and resistance, especially during the AIDS crisis with the slogan Silence equals death. Today the pink triangle appears at memorials and Pride events as a reminder of the cost of hatred and the strength of those who survived.See also: Stonewall, Pride

Polyamory

Having, or being open to, more than one loving relationship at a time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. Polyamorous people may form networks, triads or several separate partnerships. It is about love and commitment to multiple people, not about avoiding commitment. Clear communication is the backbone, which is why many poly people state it upfront on profiles.See also: Ethical non-monogamy, Open relationship

Pride

Both a feeling and an event. Pride marches and festivals began as protests after Stonewall and now take place in cities around the world, usually in summer, celebrating LGBTQ+ life and demanding equal rights. Going to your first Pride can be emotional: thousands of people being openly themselves in daylight. Pride is also the simple act of not being ashamed.See also: Stonewall, Rainbow flag and progress pride flag

Pronouns

The words used to refer to someone instead of their name, such as she/her, he/him or they/them. Some people use more than one set, or neopronouns like ze/zir. Sharing yours, in a bio or when you introduce yourself, makes it normal for everyone and spares others from guessing. Using someone's pronouns correctly is a basic form of respect.See also: Misgendering, Non-binary

Q

Queer

An umbrella word for anyone who is not straight or not cisgender, and an identity in its own right for people who prefer not to be more specific. Once used as an insult, it was reclaimed by activists and is now common in community, academic and everyday use. Some older people still find it painful, so follow the lead of the person you are talking to.See also: Questioning, Genderqueer

Queer-friendly

A venue, business, event or person that welcomes LGBTQ+ people without being exclusively for them. Queer-friendly places tend to show it through staff training, inclusive signage, pronoun badges or simply a track record of making people feel at ease. It is a useful label when you want an evening out that feels comfortable but not necessarily a dedicated gay bar.See also: Safe space, Ally

Questioning

Exploring your sexual orientation or gender identity without having settled on a label yet. Questioning is a normal, healthy stage, not a waiting room, and it can last as long as it needs to. The Q in LGBTQ+ stands for both queer and questioning. You are welcome in community spaces while you figure things out, and nobody needs you to decide.See also: Queer, Coming out

R

Rainbow flag and progress pride flag

The rainbow flag, designed by Gilbert Baker in San Francisco, is the best-known symbol of LGBTQ+ pride, with each stripe representing a value such as life, healing and spirit. The progress pride flag adds a chevron of black, brown, light blue, pink and white stripes to honour people of colour, the trans community and those lost to AIDS. Both are widely flown.See also: Pride, Pink triangle

S

Safe space

A place, physical or online, where LGBTQ+ people can be themselves without fear of judgement, harassment or having to explain. Community centres, some bars, support groups and well-moderated chats aim to be safe spaces. The label is a promise about behaviour, not a guarantee, so good safe spaces have clear rules and people who enforce them kindly.See also: LGBTQ+ community centre, Queer-friendly

Situationship

A romantic or intimate connection that has not been defined as a relationship: more than friends, less than partners, and often without a conversation about where it is going. Situationships can be fun and low pressure, or confusing when people want different things. If you find yourself in one, a kind and direct chat usually clears the air.See also: Looking for: friends, dates, community, Open relationship

Stonewall

The Stonewall Inn is a bar in New York City where, in June 1969, LGBTQ+ patrons, including trans women of colour and homeless queer youth, resisted a police raid. The nights of protest that followed sparked the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement and inspired the first Pride marches a year later. Stonewall is now a national monument and a worldwide shorthand for queer resistance.See also: Pride, Pink triangle

Stud

A word used mainly within Black lesbian and queer communities for a masculine-presenting woman or non-binary person. Stud carries its own culture, style and history, distinct from butch, and is generally understood as a term for Black and sometimes Latina people. Outside those communities, listen more than you label, and use it only for someone who claims it.See also: Butch, Femme

T

Transgender

A person whose gender is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Often shortened to trans. Trans people may be men, women or non-binary, and may or may not take medical or legal steps as part of their journey. Transgender is an adjective, as in a trans woman. Being trans says nothing about who a person is attracted to.See also: Transition, Cisgender, Non-binary

Transition

The process a trans or non-binary person goes through to live as their gender. It can be social, such as a new name, pronouns and clothing; legal, such as updated documents; or medical, such as hormones or surgery. Every transition is different and none of it is required to be valid. Questions about someone's transition are personal, so wait to be invited.See also: Transgender, Gender dysphoria and gender euphoria

Twink

A community word for a young-looking, slim man with little body hair, usually gay or bi. It is one of the lighthearted animal-and-type words that circulate in gay culture alongside bear and otter. Some people embrace it, others find it limiting. Treat these words as fun descriptors to use about yourself, never as boxes to put others in.See also: Bear, Otter

Two-spirit

A term created by Indigenous North American people to describe a range of gender, sexual and spiritual identities within their own nations, many of which predate colonisation. Two-spirit belongs to Indigenous cultures: it is not a label for non-Indigenous people to adopt, and its meaning varies from nation to nation. When in doubt, listen to Indigenous voices.See also: Non-binary, Queer

Language evolves and people describe themselves in their own words; when in doubt, ask. Last updated October 29, 2026. Waimz™ is a brand of Humainz, Inc. 18+.