Queer: Commonly used term that encompasses all identities that fit into the spectrum. Includes non-cisgender, non-heteronormative identities, or other non-specified identities.

LGBTQ: Acronym for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer community.

Ally: a person who is not queer/LGBTQ but supports and promotes rights and equality for queer/LGBTQ people.

Homosexual: (orientation) homo- meaning same; the sexual attraction to the same sex/gender, and one identifying with this orientation. Female/women sexually attracted to female/women, and male/men sexually attracted to male/men.

Heterosexual: (orientation) hetero- meaning other; a sexual attraction to the other sex/gender, and one identifying with this orientation. Typically female/women attracted to male/men, and vice versa.

Bisexual: (orientation) bi- meaning two; the sexual attraction to both male/men and female/women, and one identifying with this orientation.

Transgender: (gender) when the sex of the body does not match the gender of the mind, and one identifying with this.

Cisgender: when the sex of the body matches the gender of the mind, and one identifying with this.

Asexual: (orientation) a- meaning non; the lack of sexual attraction, and one identifying with this orientation. Can, but does not necessarily, coincide aromantic: the lack of romantic attraction.

Sexual: (orientation) as opposed to Asexual; having sexual attraction, one who has sexual attraction.

Gay: (orientation) slang term for Homosexual, often for male/male attraction, but not necessarily.

Straight: (orientation) slang term for Heterosexual/Heteroromantic.

Lesbian: (orientation) of female/women, the sexual attraction to female/women, and one identifying with this orientation.

Two-spirited:(orientation) term adopted by contemporary North American Aboriginal peoples to refer to those who embody both the male and female spirit.

Intersex: (sex) being born of ambiguous or indeterminate sex.

Heterosexism: is a system of attitudes, bias, and descrimination, in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships.

Homophobia: a range of negative attidudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, two-spirited, or generally non-straight.

Transphobia: is a range of negative attitudes and feelings towards transgender or genderqueer people, based on the expression of their internal gender identity.

Those are just a few of the terms often used by the queer community. A larger list can be found online HERE.