No, It’s Not a Password: What Does LGBTQIA+ Stand For?

Language is alive, evolving alongside our ever-changing society. So, it only makes sense that the gay community is also on an evolutionary path. 

We’re still finding new labels that resonate with an increasingly diverse pool of sexual orientations and desires. LGBT and LGBTQ are commonly used acronyms to encompass varying sexual orientations and gender identities, but LGBTQIA+ really doesn’t leave anything to chance. The complexity of gender, sex, and desire are on full display and celebrated.

But even within the queer community, the meaning behind each letter can be confusing. So we’re here to make it queer and clear like we always do. We’ve got an in-depth look at what these letters stand for and the significance they hold.

What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?

You know it’s an acronym, but what does each letter actually mean? Don’t worry — we’re going to ELI5 (that means “explain like I’m five”) LGBTQIA+ for you, so you don’t get FOMO regarding the queer community.

L: Lesbian

L is for the way you look at me! Just kidding, it’s for lesbians. Lesbians are women who are attracted to other women. It’s a specific sexual orientation with a rich culture that thrives both within the LGBTQIA+ community and on its own.

G: Gay

The gay definition is ambiguous and often refers to both gay men and lesbian women. Many people use it as an umbrella term for anyone who experiences same-sex attraction. But in this context, it describes men attracted to other men.

B: Bisexual

A bisexual person is anyone sexually attracted to multiple genders, and this isn’t limited to the gender binary. It’s become something of an umbrella term as other identifiers, like pansexual and omnisexual, gain prominence to describe attraction outside the gender binary.

T: Transgender

This term deals with gender, not sexuality. The transgender definition is, much like gay, more of a catch-all term. It encompasses anyone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth, often including nonbinary, agender, and genderqueer individuals. Many identities and expressions fall within this category, and transgender individuals usually have separate labels to indicate their sexual attraction to others.

Q: Queer or Questioning

The Q can mean two things: queer or questioning. Queer’s meaning has changed from a homophobic slur to a reclaimed term that encompasses a broad spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. Questioning refers to individuals who are on a journey exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I: Intersex

Intersex people are born with physical sex characteristics that do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. Compared to many others on this list, intersex’s meaning has a more biological implication. Intersex people could possess uncommon variations of chromosomes, genitalia, or both. This doesn’t necessarily impact their gender identity or how they experience sexual attraction.

A: Asexual

Asexual people experience little to no sexual attraction to others. Asexual identities comprise a spectrum, including graysexual and aromantic people (these individuals don’t experience romantic attraction).

+: Plus

The plus represents the many other sexual orientations and identities that aren’t explicitly included in the acronym. There have been arguments that this isn’t a great look since it feels exclusionary. But you could also view it as an acknowledgment that gender and sexual identity are constantly evolving.

The history of the acronym

The history of the acronym LGBT emerged in the 20th century as a way to unify the queer community under a single banner. It originally stood for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender. It’s still a widely accepted way to describe the queer community, especially when space is at a premium. However, LGBTQ is more universally accepted these days, including the catch-all Q for queer or questioning individuals.

As we deepened our understanding of gender and sexuality, the acronym further expanded to include asexual, aromantic, and intersex identities, resulting in arguably the most current widely accepted acronym: LGBTQIA+.

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LGBTQIA+ acronym variations

In recent years, variations of the LGBTQIA+ acronym have emerged to reflect even more identities within the community. Some common variations include LGBTQ2S+, which adds “two-spirit” to honor Indigenous gender identities beyond male and female. Another variation is LGBTQQIAAP, which separates queer and questioning while adding allies and pansexual people.

Why the variations when there’s a perfectly good + right there? Partially for the reason we outlined above: inclusivity is vital. No sexuality or gender deserves to be left out of the conversation, and everyone deserves to feel equally represented. We should be flexible with our language, especially if it means including people instead of keeping them out.

Using the LGBTQIA+ acronym correctly

How can you ensure you respect the LGBTQIA+ acronym? Here are some suggestions from community insiders:

• Know what each letter means and use them appropriately in conversations.
• Describe the community as LGBTQIA+, not the individuals within it. A person can’t be all those identities at once.
• Use the entire acronym when referring to the entire community.
• Don’t use outdated or derogatory terms that could offend the community.
• Stay up-to-date about the language and terminology.
• For the love of all that is holy, don’t just start saying random letters as a joke. 

If you’re ever in doubt when using this acronym or any label within it, consult the people you’re communicating with. As long as you’re addressing them respectfully, they’ll probably be happy to offer insight.

Why is this terminology important?

Why can’t everyone just be happy with “gay” and call it a day? Truthfully, many accept that as the norm, but that doesn’t mean they feel represented by it.

Our words carry weight, and we all want to be addressed with respectful and accurate language. When someone tells you how they identify, they want to let you know who they are. By honoring every part of LGBTQIA+, we ensure everyone feels accepted and understood, no matter their sexual orientation or sexual identity.

How to be an ally

Don’t see the letter H for heterosexual on our list? Don’t worry — we still love you! The community welcomes anyone who supports us! But being an ally to the gay community doesn’t just happen after a few fan clacks and a deep dive on Bette Midler. It takes real work and courage to be an active ally.

Allies should educate themselves about the issues facing the community, listen to individuals’ experiences, and amplify marginalized voices. Simple actions, such as using inclusive language and standing up against discrimination, can make all the difference.

Perhaps the most important thing an ally can do is create a safe space for their gay and queer friends. We all want to feel free to express our most authentic selves without fear of judgment.

Spelling out sexual attraction

Acknowledging the many sexual orientations within the acronym is validating for members of the queer family. So is finding others within the community who share your story. The whole point is to help people feel seen and respected — to prove we’ll walk with them on their journey.

Interested in meeting others within the alphabet mafia? You’ll see just how vast the spectrum is on Grindr! Download the Grindr app today to get started.