Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation
- Sexual orientation is the “scientifically accurate term for a person’s enduring physical, romantic and/ or emotional attraction to another person” (GLAAD, Glossary of Terms, 2022). Sexual orientation terms also refer to the community associated with that orientation.
- Use specific identity-first language when referring to an individual’s sexual orientation. If using an umbrella term or abbreviation, such as LGBTQIA, ensure the abbreviation includes the referenced orientation. Do not use an umbrella term or acronym when referring to one specific group within it.
- Avoid conflating sexual orientation with sexual behavior. Sexual orientation is an inherent identity; sexual behavior is chosen action.
- Do not use “sexual preference,” which is used to inaccurately suggest that being gay, lesbian, or bisexual is voluntary and "curable" (GLAAD).
- Do not conflate sexual orientation with gender identity. See Gender, Gender Expression, and Sex for more information.
- Only capitalize terms when used at the beginning of a sentence.
- For definitions see: GLAAD, Glossary of Terms, GLAAD Media Reference Guide 11th Edition
- Per APA (2020), it is important to “ask people from the group about which you are writing to read and comment on your material or consult self-advocacy groups to determine appropriate terminology” (p. 131). In addition to consulting this resource, writers should also consult with the communities they’re describing. When the two are in conflict, defer to the preference of the community.
Asexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: asexual, ace. May be used as an umbrella term to include demisexual people.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Bisexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: bisexual, do not use a hyphen.
Bisexual does not express a man/women dichotomy. Bisexuals are attracted to their own and another gender/s. The Bi+ umbrella may include pansexuals. Usage of bisexual as a term and an umbrella term varies widely; always confirm usage with the community.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Demisexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: demisexual, grey-sexual
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Gay
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: gay people, gay men. Define the term to avoid ambiguity and use specific identity-first terms (e.g., gay men, gay women). GLAAD prefers LGBT acronyms rather than gay for the group or community.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: gays, the gays, homosexual, homosexuals
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Lesbian
See Gay.
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: lesbians; can be used as a noun or adjective. Some may prefer gay or gay women.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: homosexuals
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
LGBT
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: Umbrella acronym for non-straight, non-cisgender identities. All variations of the acronym are correct (GLAAD), although APA avoids LGBT alone. Avoid LGB, as dropping the “T” is used by trans-erasure groups.
Confirm the acronym includes the population being addressed (e.g., do not use LGBT when referring to pansexuals).
Define the acronym on first use. Do not use the umbrella acronym when referring to a specific orientation
L: lesbian
G: gay
B: bisexual
T: transgender.
Q may stand for queer. “In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning” (GLAAD).
I: intersexual.
A: asexual. Some may use the “A” for “ally”, but this is considered asexual erasure by most in the LGBTQIA community.
For more information see Gender Expression section in this style guide.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: gay community, homosexual community; use LGBTQ community
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Homosexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: for umbrella terms, use the LGBTQ+ acronyms or gay; use identity-first, gendered terms specific to the orientation under discussion e.g., bisexual men, lesbian women
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: homosexual, homosexuality
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Heterosexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: heterosexual, straight. Consider using straight to avoid the heterosexual/homosexual dichotomy.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Pansexual
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: pansexual, multisexual, omnisexual
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Queer
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: Former pejorative reclaimed by some members of the LGBTQ+ community. Only use “queer” when the group or individual self-identifies with the term. May be used as an umbrella term when the group self-identifies with it.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
Same-Gender Loving
Current, culturally sensitive term(s) when writing about members of the community: “used by some African American people as an Afrocentric alternative to what are considered Eurocentric, or white, identities like gay and lesbian” (GLAAD). Only use when the group or individual self-identifies with the term.
Related search terms: n/a
Inaccurate, outdated, or pejorative terms: n/a
Date of last revision: June 2, 2022
References
American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000
Johnson, A. G. (2000). The Blackwell dictionary of sociology : A user’s guide to sociological language: Vol. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
Ladau, E. (2021). Demystifying disability: What to know, what to say, and how to be an ally. Ten Speed Press. https://emilyladau.com/book/
U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). Glossary. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/about/glossary.html