Heckin' Unicorn Blog

Nonbinary (or non-binary) folks don't identify with either the male or female gender, and are hence said to be “beyond the gender binary” (the “gender binary” refers to the false idea that there are only 2 genders). Some nonbinary folks identify with a mix of male and female genders, with a gender that falls beyond male or female, or with no gender at all. 

Let’s be honest: sexuality and gender are complex topics. 

But fret not, for we’re here to help. We’ve done the research, and compiled this huge list of LGBTQ-related words and concepts to help answer the most common questions you might have about sexuality and gender. 

The term “transition” is an umbrella term that refers to processes where a trans individual moves from one gender presentation to another.

There are 3 broad aspects to this. A trans individual may transition in any combination, or none at all.

“She / Her / Hers” is a set of gender-specific pronouns used to refer to women or girls.

Homophobia refers to a prejudice, hatred, or hostility towards LGBTQ+ people. Some prefer the term “heterosexism” to “homophobia”, because the latter can seem to justify acts of hostility by using the excuse of “the fear of the unknown”.

A heterosexual person is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Heterosexism refers to a prejudice, hatred, or hostility towards LGBTQ+ people. A heterosexist is usually physically, verbally or emotionally violent against LGBTQ+ people.

Heteronormativity is the belief that heterosexuality is the default sexual orientation and, implicitly, that everyone is cisgender. This belief can be subtle to the heterosexual, cisgender population. For example, institutions (marriage, laws, schools), pop culture (love songs, movies, characters) and social behaviours (“What kind of girls/guys do you like?”) often align with heteronormativity. 

He / him / his are gender-specific pronouns that are usually used to refer to men or boys. 

Grey asexuality refers to a “grey” spectrum of sexuality that lies between asexuality and sexuality. A person on this spectrum may experience sexual attraction on occasion or only towards specific people (e.g. people they’re in a romantic relationship with). People in this spectrum are known as “grey- A”, “grey ace”, “grace”, “semisexual”, “asexual-ish” or “sexual-ish”. 

A genderfluid person has gender identity and/or gender expression that shifts (is fluid) between or above different genders. Some feel masculine on days and feminine on others, or live free from gender definitions entirely. 

A gender nonconforming person doesn’t subscribe to gender expressions or roles that society at large expects them to.

A person’s biological sex is usually determined by their anatomical, chromosomal or other biological characteristics. Known sexes include male, female and intersex. 

A gender neutral pronoun doesn’t associate the person being referred to with any gender. Some languages (like English) don’t have gender neutral pronouns, while some (like Chinese) are gender neutral in spoken form, and some (like Malay) are gender neutral in written and spoken form. 

Gender neutral refers to the absence of a specific gender. It can be used to describe facilities (e.g. gender neutral bathrooms that individuals can use regardless of their gender), people (those who don’t subscribe to a specific gender), or pronouns (non-gender-specific pronouns like “they / them / theirs”).

A person’s gender identity refers to their internal identification as a man, woman, neither, both, or some other gender. This doesn’t always correspond with the biological sex they’re assigned at birth.

A person’s gender expression refers to the way they communicate or express their gender identity to other people. Common expressions include (but aren’t limited to) “masculine”, “feminine”, or “androgynous”.

A gay person is romantically, emotionally, and/or sexually attracted to people of the same sex. This term is often associated with men, although it applies to women too.

A feminine person expresses their gender in a way typically associated with women.

A drag queen is a person (usually a man) who dresses up as a woman, generally to perform a show. Outside of their performance, drag queens typically live their daily lives as men. Although most people who do drag are gay or lesbian, drag performers can have any sexual orientation or gender identity. 

A drag king is a person (usually a woman) who dresses up as a man, generally to perform a show. Outside of their performance, drag kings typically live their daily lives as women. Although most people who do drag are gay or lesbian, drag performers can have any sexual orientation or gender identity. 

To do drag is to dress up or present yourself differently than your everyday gender, usually for expression or performance. Dragging is not an indicator of a person’s gender identity. A drag queen or drag king is also distinct from a trans person.

Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment against members of a marginalised or minority group, often by members of a dominant group. Members of the LGBTQ+ community often face discrimination in many parts of the world. 

A demisexual person is sexually attracted only to people whom they share an emotional bond with. Demisexuality falls within the asexual spectrum.

A crossdresser is a person who dresses (fully or partially) as a member of a gender that is not aligned with their assigned sex. Crossdressing is an act of gender expression, and thus not an indicator of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

To come out is to voluntarily make your sexual orientation and/or gender identity known to public or to other people. 

A closeted person isn’t open about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

Cissexism is a term that describes a prejudice, hatred, or hostility towards transgender people. A cissexist is usually physically, verbally, or emotionally violent against trans or gender diverse people.

Cishet is short for “cisgender heterosexual”, and refers to people who are both cisgender and heterosexual. 

A person is cisgender when their gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. 

A butch is a person, usually a woman or trans person, whose gender expression is masculine. 

Biphobia is a prejudice, hatred, or hostility that people might have towards bisexual people. A biphobic person is usually physically, verbally or emotionally violent against bisexual people. 

A bigender person has two gender identities. They may switch between gender identities, or experience both gender identities simultaneously. 

Asexual-ish is a term associated with asexuals and asexuality. Because asexuality exists as a spectrum, different people experience different levels of sexual desire (or lack thereof). 

An androgynous person has a gender expression and/or identity that isn’t distinctly “male” or “female”.

An ally is a person who isn’t part of the LGBTQ+ community (meaning they are cisgender and heterosexual, or cishet), but who still supports them. Though not necessarily an activist, an ally tends to stand up against cissexism (transphobia), heterosexism (homophobia), and monosexism (biphobia).  

Allosexism is a term that describes a prejudice, hatred, or hostility towards asexual people. An allosexist is usually physically, verbally or emotionally violent against asexual people, or excludes them from representation.