Updated October 2023
Language within and about the LGBTQ community is constantly evolving. Acceptable terms can change quickly and frequently. The list below contains terms that come up frequently with Point Foundation scholars or are terms that tend to be lesser known.
Review this resource to better understand current language and definitions when supporting LGBTQ college students. It is always advisable to check multiple sources and compare information. For a longer list of terms, check out the Human Rights Campaign's Glossary of Terms.
Ally: someone who is actively supportive of LGBTQ people. Mainly used for straight and cisgender allies as well as those within the LGBTQ community who support each other.
Cisgender: someone whose gender identity corresponds with the sex assigned to them at birth.
Cisheteronormativity: the combined effect of social and institutional policies, expectations, and assumptions that normalize and naturalize heterosexuality and a binary system of assigned sex/gender.
Drag: the theatrical performance of gender(s), often including makeup and costumes. Performers who present in a feminine manner are called Drag Queens, while performers who present in a masculine manner are called Drag Kings. Drag performance refers to expression and performance, which is different from transgender, which refers to gender identity.
First-generation students: a student whose parent(s) did not complete a four-year college or university degree. Many LGBTQ students are first-generation.
Gender dysphoria: the distress caused when a person’s assigned sex at birth and assumed gender is not the same as the one with which they identify.
Gender expression: the external appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut, or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with a particular gender.
Gender identity: one’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
Sexual Orientation |
Gender Expression |
Gender Identity |
Who one is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to. |
The external appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut, or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with a particular gender. |
One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth. |
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy): a type of gender-affirming treatment that allows trans and gender-expansive people to feel more at home in their bodies with changes to things like body hair, vocal tone, or breast size.
Indigiqueer: a term used by some LGBTQ Indigenous people. This term emphasizes the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Monogamous: individuals who are intimate or involved romantically with one person at a time.
Names: getting students' names correct is difficult in many schools because their legal name may differ from their used or chosen name and not all learning and documentation systems have room for preferred names. If it’s your first time meeting a student, use whichever name they indicate, or ask if they have a different name that they use. You may accidentally dead name a student, which means you use a person’s given name at birth instead of the name they use that aligns with their identity. Typically, this refers to using a transgender person’s name that they used pre-transition. As with pronouns, if someone corrects you, thank them, correct yourself, and continue. Empower the person to speak up by thanking them, rather than focusing on the mistake with a long apology.
Nontraditional students: Many people understand the “traditional” college experience to be enrolling full-time in a residential college immediately after graduating from high school. Against this backdrop, a “nontraditional” student is anyone whose college experience departs from that model, e.g., students who begin college more than a year after high school graduation, work full time, have dependents, etc.
Today, the majority of college students (particularly LGBTQ students) would be considered “nontraditional.” For that reason, we recommend using more specific descriptors such as “adult students” or “commuter students” instead of “nontraditional.” |
Polyamorous: individuals who have the desire for multiple consenting intimate relationships at the same time.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis): a preventative prescription medication taken by those at higher risk for HIV.
QTPOC: acronym for Queer and Trans People of Color. This term emphasizes the intersections of race, gender, and sexual orientation.
Queer: reclaimed from its earlier negative use, this term is used by some LGBTQ people to describe themselves and/or their community. It is considered by many to be inclusive of the entire community.
Sexual orientation: who one is emotionally, romantically and/or sexually attracted to.
In general, it is a best practice to not ask overly personal or invasive questions of people you have just met. This is particularly pertinent within the LGBTQ community. Please do not ask about details such as dating/sex life, surgeries, "real" or birth names.
BEST PRACTICES
Do…
Do not...