LGBTQ+ Quiz

Lesbian. Lesbian is a term for a woman who is physically, romantically, or emotionally attracted to other women (or all of the above). Some might use “lesbian” to describe themselves, while others might simply identify as gay.

Gay. Gay is a term for any person who is physically, romantically, or emotionally attracted to people of the same sex (or all of the above). It’s also more specifically a term for men who are attracted to other men—however, the “gay” label is not exclusive to men. Avoid describing gay people as “homosexual”; it’s considered offensive and outdated by many in the LGBTQ+ community.

Bisexual. Bisexual is a term for any person who is physically, romantically, or emotionally attracted to people of more than one gender. Keep in mind that not all bisexual people experience attraction the same way or to the same degree—and their attraction may change over time. Additionally, a person does not need to have a specific type of relationship or sexual experience to label themselves bisexual. Bisexual can also be shortened to “bi” or “bi+,” the latter of which is designed to be inclusive to other labels like pansexual, fluid, and queer.

Bisexual does not mean being attracted to men and women. Because “bisexual” is simply defined as attraction to more than one gender, different bisexual people may be attracted to different types of people. For example, one bisexual person might be attracted to men and women, while another might be attracted to women and nonbinary people, and a third might be attracted to all genders.

Transgender. Transgender is a term for people who identify as a different gender than the one they were assigned at birth. Even if someone labels themselves transgender, they may also use other, more specific terms to describe their gender as well—including man (or trans man), woman (or trans woman), nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and so on. Keep in mind that surgery, medical procedures, or changes to your physical appearance aren’t prerequisites to being transgender; transgender people can label themselves whenever they want to.

Queer. Queer is an umbrella term for people whose sexual orientation and gender identity are not heterosexual (straight) and cisgender. People might use queer if they don’t care about specific labels, don’t know what label best fits them yet, feel that other labels are too limiting, or have another label (like gay or bisexual) but also like referring to themselves as queer. Although “queer” was once a derogatory term, it has been reclaimed by the LGBTQ+ community in recent years and is now much more common within the community. However, not all LGBTQ+ people are comfortable with the term “queer,” so be sure to ask how someone wants to be described before using it.

The “Q” in LGBTQ+ usually stands for queer—although it can also stand for “questioning,” particularly in regards to young people in a support setting. Because “queer” refers to anyone who does not identify as heterosexual and cisgender, all LGBTQ+ sexual orientations and gender identities can be considered queer, from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender to nonbinary, pansexual, genderfluid, asexual, and beyond.

Other sexual orientation and gender identity keywords and terms include:

• Agender . A person with no connection to the gender binary (man/woman), and/or who sees themselves as having no gender.
• Aromantic. A term for someone who does not experience romantic attraction. Aromantic people can still experience sexual attraction. “Aromantic” (or “Aro”) is a broad term that also includes demiromantic.
• Asexual. A term for someone who doesn’t experience sexual attraction. Asexual (or “Ace”) people can still experience romantic attraction. Asexuality is a spectrum that also covers demisexuality and graysexuality (meaning people who experience sexual attraction some of the time, and sometimes not at all).
• Bigender. A person who has a masculine persona and feminine persona, and is comfortable presenting in both gender roles—either alternatively or at the same time.
• Demigender. Someone with a partial connection to one or more genders. Some people also use the terms demiboy, demigirl, and so on.
• Demiromantic. A person who doesn’t experience romantic attraction until a strong sexual or emotional bond develops.
• Demisexual. A person who doesn’t experience sexual attraction until a strong emotional or romantic bond develops.
• Genderfluid. A gender identity in which someone fluctuates between masculine, feminine, or another identity. Genderfluid people may experience this fluctuation from day to day (or even more frequently, within a day), or over longer periods of time.
• Gender non-conforming. Someone who doesn’t conform to traditional gender expressions, traits, roles, or behavior.
• Genderqueer. Someone who doesn’t conform to traditional gender norms but identifies with a combination of masculine and feminine genders, both, or neither.
• Intersex. People who biologically fall between the traditional definitions of male and female. This might be through hormones, chromosomes, internal or external genitalia or other sex characteristics.
• Nonbinary. A gender identity that isn’t exclusively masculine or feminine. In short, this term covers any people whose identity falls outside the traditional binary.
• Pangender. A person whose gender identity is made up of multiple different gender identities or expressions.
• Pansexual. Someone who is potentially attracted and romantically interested in people of all gender identities.
• Questioning. Someone who is exploring their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.
• Same gender loving (SGL). A term for someone attracted to people of the same gender. This term was coined by activist Cleo Manago as an alternative to gay and lesbian—particularly for the African American community, as “gay” and “lesbian” are considered Eurocentric terms.