Word Up

Gender Identity: A person's sense of whether he or she is male or female — this may or may not match with a person's biological gender and anatomy.

Gender Expression: The ways in which a person will express his or her gender identity through dress, behavior and mannerisms.

Lesbian: A female-identified person who is exclusively attracted to women.

Gay: A male-identified person who is exclusively attracted to men.

Bisexual: A person who is attracted to other people of the same or opposite gender.

Transgender: A term for anyone whose gender identity or expression doesn't conform to society's idea of gender.

Transsexual: A person born one gender but who now identifies and lives as what society would consider the opposite sex.

Gender Queer: A person whose gender identity falls between female or male — or whose gender identity falls completely beyond male or female, often changing on a regular basis.

Intersex: A person who was born with anatomy that differs from society's view of male or female.

Cisgender: A term for anyone whose gender identity matches their biological gender and anatomy.

Heterosexual: A cisgender person who is attracted to members of the opposite sex.

Sex: The genitals and genetics society uses to determine whether someone is male or female.

Ally: A heterosexual person who supports and even advocates for LGBT people and their rights.

Coming Out: The act of revealing a person's gender identity or sexual orientation to others.

Sexual Orientation:A person's sexual, physical, psychological and emotional attraction to others.

Questioning:A term used for people who are examining their sexual orientation and gender identity.

Homophobia: A fear or aversion to people who don't identify as heterosexual.

Transphobia: A fear or aversion to people who identify as transgender or whose gender identity is fluid.

Heterosexism: A collection of attitudes, bias and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex relationships, which can cause a person to believe everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions are normal and superior.