LGBTQ+ Glossary 2026: 60 Essential Terms to Understand the Community

Introduction: why this lexicon?

Welcome to this LGBTQ+ Lexicon 2026, a tool designed to demystify the fundamental concepts related to sexual and gender diversities. Whether you are a queer person, an ally, a student, or simply someone who wants to better understand the issues facing the LGBTQ2S+ community, this guide will provide you with clear, accessible, and respectful definitions.

In a world where media representations and public discourse are evolving rapidly, it is crucial to rely on precise vocabulary to avoid misunderstandings and micro-aggressions. This lexicon will allow you to navigate conversations, texts, and activist spaces with ease, while prioritizing inclusive and compassionate language.

You can use it as a daily reference or as a resource to deepen your knowledge. Remember: a language evolves with the communities it describes. For questions related to the rights of trans and non-binary people in Quebec, consult our dedicated guide. And for terms related to marriage and unions, resources like the terminology of equal marriage and inclusive unions provide useful supplements.

Terms A to F

Ally : A cisgender or heterosexual person who actively supports the rights of LGBTQ2S+ individuals by listening to their needs and opposing discrimination. A good ally acts without taking over the activist space of the individuals concerned.

Institutional ally : An organization (business, public institution, school) that officially adopts LGBTQ+ inclusion policies and actively commits to fighting discrimination within its structures. Goes beyond mere symbolic support.

Altersexuality : A term referring to sexual orientations or gender identities that fall outside of heteronormative norms. It notably includes queer, non-binary, or asexual individuals.

Aromantic : A person who does not feel (or feels little) romantic attraction towards others, regardless of gender. Aromanticism is a valid romantic orientation and is not a disorder.

Asexual : A person who does not experience (or experiences little) sexual attraction to others. Asexuality is diverse: some asexual individuals may have romantic relationships, while others may not. Asexuality does not exclude emotional or romantic relationships.

Bi-curious : A person who explores their attraction to more than one gender, without formally identifying as bisexual or pansexual. It can be a transitional phase or a fully-fledged identity.

Bigender : A person who identifies with two genders simultaneously or alternately (for example, male and female, or male and non-binary). Different from gender fluidity, which involves variation over time.

Bi-phobia : Discrimination, prejudice, or rejection towards bisexual individuals, often based on stereotypes such as the idea that bisexuality is a "phase" or an "easy choice."

Bisexual : A person who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to more than one gender. Bisexuality does not imply equal attraction to all genders, and it is often misunderstood — hence the importance of bisexual visibility.

Two-Spirit : An Indigenous term referring to a person who embodies both masculine and feminine gender roles, or a traditional spirituality related to gender fluidity. This term is specific to Indigenous communities and should not be used by non-Indigenous people.

Butch : A term referring to a masculine gender expression among women, particularly in lesbian communities. A butch person may dress, speak, and behave in traditionally masculine ways while identifying as a woman. A neutral term, often embraced with pride.

Cisgender : A person whose gender identity corresponds to the gender assigned at birth (e.g., assigned male at birth, feels male). The term helps distinguish between trans and non-trans individuals without hierarchy.

Coming out : The act of revealing one's sexual orientation, gender identity, or LGBTQ2S+ status to others. Coming out can be liberating but also risky depending on the context. No one is obligated to disclose themselves.

Late coming out : A situation where a person reveals their LGBTQ2S+ identity at an older age, often after years of internalized homophobia or social pressure. This process is valid regardless of age.

Deadnaming : The act of referring to a trans or non-binary person by their birth name instead of their chosen name. It is a micro-aggression that can be very hurtful and should be avoided.

Drag : An artist who performs an exaggerated gender expression (often in costume) for theatrical, humorous, or activist reasons. Drag queens and drag kings are important figures in queer culture. Being drag ≠ being trans.

Dyadic : A term referring to individuals whose sexual characteristics at birth (chromosomes, genitals, hormones) correspond to typical "male" or "female" categories. Opposite of intersex.

Gender dysphoria : A feeling of distress related to the mismatch between one's gender identity and their body or assigned gender. Dysphoria can be alleviated through gender-affirming care (hormone therapy, surgery, name change).

Enbyphobia : Discrimination, contempt, or violence specifically directed against non-binary individuals. Different from general transphobia, it targets those who do not fit into the gender binary.

Gender expression : The way a person expresses their gender through clothing, hairstyle, body language, etc. It may not conform to traditional gender stereotypes.

Queer feminism : A feminist movement that integrates LGBTQ2S+ struggles, emphasizing the intersection of gender, sexuality, and other forms of oppression (racism, ableism, colonialism, etc.).

Woman : A term referring to a feminine gender expression in lesbian communities, particularly in contrast to "butch." A woman may dress and behave in traditionally feminine ways. A term embraced with pride in many queer communities.

Pride : A movement and celebration of LGBTQ2S+ identities, born in response to oppression. Pride events (such as Montreal Pride) are spaces for visibility, solidarity, and political advocacy.

Terms A à L

Genderqueer : Umbrella term referring to individuals whose gender identity does not fit within the male/female binary. Some genderqueer individuals also identify as non-binary.

Gender fluid : Gender identity that varies over time, without being fixed. A fluid person may feel like a man one day, a woman another day, or neither at different times.

Gender non-conforming : A person whose gender expression does not align with the social expectations associated with their assigned gender. Examples: a man who wears dresses, a woman with a short haircut and a masculine style.

Heteronormativity : A value system that considers heterosexuality as the exclusive norm, marginalizing other sexual orientations. It manifests in laws, media, and daily interactions.

Heterosexism : Prejudice that suggests heterosexuality is superior to other sexual orientations. It is a form of systemic discrimination that permeates institutions.

Homoparentality : A family composed of gay or lesbian parents, often with children (biological, adopted, or from previous relationships). In Quebec, the rights of homoparental families have been recognized since 2002.

Homophobia : Discrimination, rejection, or violence against gay, lesbian, or bisexual individuals. Homophobia can be institutional (laws, policies) or interpersonal (insults, assaults).

Internalized homophobia : Self-rejection or self-contempt due to one's non-heterosexual sexual orientation. It can lead to anxiety, depression, or self-destructive behaviors. Often the result of prolonged exposure to homophobic messages.

Homonormativity : Social pressure that pushes LGBTQ2S+ individuals to adopt heteronormative behaviors to be accepted (e.g., a gay couple mimicking the codes of a heterosexual couple). This concept questions the norms reproduced within LGBTQ+ communities themselves.

Gender identity : A deep sense of belonging to a gender (man, woman, non-binary, genderqueer, etc.), which may or may not correspond to the gender assigned at birth. Gender identity is distinct from sexual orientation.

Intersectionality : An approach that analyzes how oppressions (racism, sexism, transphobia, ableism, etc.) intersect and influence each other. The concept was popularized by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw in the 1980s.

Intersex : A person born with sexual characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, genitalia) that do not fit typical definitions of "male" or "female." Intersexuality is not a disorder, but a natural variation of the human body.

Lesbian : A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women. The term is sometimes used inclusively by some non-binary individuals who identify with a lesbian experience.

LGBTQ2S+ : An acronym referring to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, Two-Spirit, and other marginalized identities. The “+” includes all sexual and gender diversities not explicitly named.

Terms M à P

Equal Marriage: Legalization of marriage between same-gender individuals. In Canada, equal marriage has been recognized since 2005, making Canada one of the first countries in the world to adopt this reform.

Misgendering: Using a pronoun or name that does not correspond to a person's gender identity. For example: saying "he" to a trans woman. It is a micro-aggression that can be very painful and should be avoided.

LGBTQ Activism: Political, social, or artistic commitments to defend the rights of LGBTQ2S+ individuals. In Quebec, groups like GRIS-Montréal, CGLQ, and the Ligue des droits et libertés are active in this area.

Monogamy: A relational practice where a person has only one partner at a time. Monogamy is one option among others for LGBTQ+ couples, alongside polyamory or open relationships, with no hierarchy between these models.

Non-binary: A person whose gender identity is neither exclusively male nor female. Non-binary individuals may identify between genders, outside of them, or both at the same time. Pronouns like "iel," "ille," or "they/them" are often used.

Sexual Orientation: Emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to one or more genders. Orientations include heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, pansexuality, asexuality, etc. It is distinct from gender identity.

Outing: Publicly revealing the sexual orientation or gender identity of an LGBTQ2S+ person without their consent. It is a serious violation of privacy and a form of violence that can have severe consequences for the safety of the individual concerned.

Pansexual: A person attracted to others regardless of gender. A pansexual person may be attracted to men, women, non-binary individuals, etc. Pansexuality is distinguished from bisexuality by its indifference to gender.

Passing: The ability of a trans or non-binary person to be perceived as corresponding to their gender by society. Passing can be a relief, but it should not be a condition for being respected.

Polyamory: A relational practice where a person has multiple partners with the consent of all parties. Unlike infidelity, polyamory is based on transparency and relational ethics.

Chosen Pronouns: Pronouns (he/iel/she/they, etc.) that a person requests to be used to refer to them. Respecting a person's pronouns shows fundamental respect for their identity. Asking for them proactively is a sign of inclusion.

Terms A to T

Queer : Umbrella term referring to all sexual and gender identities that are not cisgender or heterosexual. Some reclaim it as a symbol of pride, while others find it too broad. Use according to the preferences of the person concerned.

Questioning : A person who is exploring their sexual orientation, gender identity, or LGBTQ2S+ status. Questioning is a valid and important step in the journey of self-affirmation.

Open relationship : A romantic or sexual arrangement where partners consent to have relationships outside of their primary relationship. It relies on communication and mutual consent. Different from polyamory in its structure.

Media representation : The presence of LGBTQ2S+ characters in films, series, books, and media. Good representation reflects the diversity of queer experiences without falling into stereotypes or tragic roles.

Safe space : A space (physical or virtual) where LGBTQ2S+ individuals can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or homophobia. Safe spaces are crucial for the mental health and empowerment of marginalized communities.

Sextortion : Blackmail affecting LGBTQ2S+ individuals, often online, where a perpetrator threatens to reveal private information (photos, conversations) in exchange for money or services. It is a crime in Canada.

TERF (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) : A feminist who excludes trans individuals (especially trans women) from feminist spaces, often in the name of a biologically based view of gender. The term is considered descriptive by some and pejorative by others.

Trans : Common abbreviation for transgender. Umbrella term referring to individuals whose gender identity does not match the gender assigned at birth.

Transgender : A person whose gender identity differs from the gender assigned at birth. May include trans women, trans men, or non-binary individuals. The term "transgender" is preferred over "transsexual" in many communities.

Transphobia : Discrimination, rejection, or violence against trans or non-binary individuals. Transphobia can be institutional (restrictive laws, access to care) or interpersonal (insults, physical assaults).

Transsexual : A medical and historical term referring to a trans person who has undergone gender-affirming care (hormone therapy, surgery). Considered by some as outdated or pathologizing; to be used according to the individual's preference.

Terms V à Z — and conclusion

Bisexual Visibility: Efforts to make visible the experiences of bisexual individuals, often rendered invisible in LGBTQ+ movements and media representations. Biphobia and stereotypes make this visibility crucial.

This lexicon is just a starting point for understanding the richness and complexity of LGBTQ2S+ identities. Genders and sexual orientations are multiple, and each person experiences their identity in a unique way.

To go further, explore Quebec resources such as ATQ, GRIS-Montréal, Interligne, and CGLQ. Remember: respect comes from listening, continuous learning, and open-mindedness. Together, let's cultivate safe spaces where everyone can be themselves without fear.