What Does LGBTQ+ Stand For ? and What does ‘+’ Mean after it ?

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LGBTQ is the commonly used term in the community, and it is more user friendly. It is important for all of us know what these letters stands for. Let’s Learn about all terms one by one and find out what each letter stands for.

The first four letters of this standard abbreviation are fairly straightforward: “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender.”

Lesbian : A lesbian is a female homosexual: A Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to other woman only. Lesbian can sometimes be written as wlw, which means women who love women or woman-loving-woman.

Gay : Gay is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. Gay is often used to describe homosexual males, means men romantically or sexually attracted to men, but lesbians may also be referred to as gay. like the example above, you could also say mlm.

Bisexual : Bisexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or sexual behavior toward both men and women. or romantic or sexual attraction to people of any sex or gender identity; this latter aspect is sometimes termed pansexuality.

Transgender : Transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity differs from the sex to which they were assigned at birth. It is sometimes abbreviate to trans.

Also Read: What Does Transgender Mean?

Transsexual : Some Transgender people who desire medical assistance to transition from one sex to another identify as Transsexual. A Transsexual is a person physically transitions from male to female or vice versa.

Now The Latter ‘Q’ in LGBTQ+

‘Q’ can stand for ‘queer’ or ‘questioning’. and sometimes you may see the acronym written as “LGBTQQ” (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning).

Read More About : What does queer mean?

Queer means many things. Queer is an umbrella term for sexual and gender identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender. People use the term queer because it’s not specific to sexual orientation or to gender identity but is more of an umbrella term that can include a lot of people. It also works as an umbrella term to include a wide range of identities, sexualities, and preferences. You may be gay and I may be transgender, but we’re both queer.

The word “queer” has history to it that’s hurtful. In the late 1980s “queer” was used as a pejorative term to disrespect LGBT people. For decades, queer was used as a slur against the LGBT community because it meant strange, bizarre, and odd. But now many people who are LGBT+ have reclaimed it.

Q can also mean Questioning. it means the individual is uncertain of his or her orientation. It is a way for people to define themselves if they aren’t totally sure who they are yet, and are still exploring their sexual and gender identity.

What does the “+” stands in LGBTQ+?

“Plus” represents a list of other identities that fall under the queer umbrella. The “+” aims to include those who represents other identities such as Intersex, Asexual, Ally, Pansexual/Omnisexual, Demisexual, Non-binary, Gender fluid, and many more.

Intersex : Born with variations in sex characteristics including chromosomes, gonads, or genitals that do not allow an individual to be distinctly identified as male or female. People who are intersex can be gay, straight, or trans too.

Asexual : Asexuality (or nonsexuality) is the lack of sexual attraction to anyone.

Ally : An Ally is a person who considers themselves a friend to the LGBTQ+ community. people who are straight and cisgender, but who support people in the LGBT+ community.

Pansexual : Pansexuality or omnisexuality is attraction toward people of any sex or gender identity. ( Some mix Pansexual with Bisexual, as Bisexual is also someone who is attracted to males and females. However, pansexual is someone who is attracted to any person regardless of sex or gender.)

Demisexual : A demisexual is a person who does not experience sexual attraction unless they develop a strong emotional bond with someone.

Non-binary – Non-binary is any gender identity that is not strictly male or female. There are several non-binary genders, including agender (who identify as having no gender or being without any gender identity). Bigendered (where the person moves between feminine and masculine gender identities and behaviours, possibly depending on context). gender fluid (experience shifts or changes in gender), and more.

Genderqueer is also a term some people like to use rather than non-binary. It is an umbrella term for people who do identify as genders other then male or female. Genderqueer is an earlier term with the same meaning as non-binary.

LGBTQQIAAP, because that acronym is really long, and because there are countless other queer identities people have, the plus sign can be used to shorten the acronym.