The term LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or queer, intersex, and asexual. Same sex marriage was legalized in the United States on June 26, 2015.

 

Sexual attraction is who you are sexually attracted to; who you would like to engage in sexual activity with. Romantic attraction is who you are romantically attracted to, meaning who you want to be in a romantic relationship with. Gender identity is the gender that someone identifies as. Remember, gender is a spectrum. People who are nonbinary do not identify within the gender binary. Genderfluid people choose to identify as male some days and female other days.

 

Many people see romantic attraction and sexual attraction as a spectrum. There are a plethora of different things you can identify as. Below you will find descriptions of various sexualities and genders.

 

Sexualities

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• allosexual – being attracted to at least one gender

• androsexual – being attracted to masculine gender presentation

• asexual – not experiencing sexual attraction

• bicurious – people who are open to experiment with other genders but do not know if they want to enter into a relationship with other genders

• bisexual – when you are attracted to two genders (typically used within the gender binary when someone is attracted to both males and females) *NOTE: you do not have to be equally attracted to both genders

• demisexual – when you only experience sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond with someone

• gynosexual – being attracted to feminine gender presentation

• heterosexual – the attraction to a gender different from their own (commonly used to describe someone who is gender binary [female or male] attracted to the other binary gender)

• homosexual – the attraction to a gender the same as their own (commonly used to describe someone who is gender binary [female or male] attracted to the same binary gender).  Sometimes referred to as gay.

• lesbian – women who are attracted only to other women

• monosexual – being attracted to only one gender

• pansexual – when you are attracted to all genders; when gender is not a concern when experiencing attraction towards someone

• polysexual – when you are attracted to multiple, but not all genders

• questioning – individuals who are not sure of their sexuality/gender

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Gender & Sex

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• sex – your assigned gender at birth and/or the gender of your reproductive organs

• gender – where you feel you fall on the spectrum between male and female; people commonly identify as male or female

• cisgender – when you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth

• transgender – when you identify with a gender different than what you were assigned at birth

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Whatever your sexual orientation is, you are valid. You can be an ally to the LGBT community. Stand up for those who need support; it costs $0.00 to be an ally and to be supportive. It is completely okay to be questioning. It's also okay to change your label. Learning who you are can take time and people are fluid and dynamic and always changing - if you realize you aren't gay or you are lesbian that's okay. Understanding who you are is a lifelong process. 

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Coming out is when you tell other people about your sexuality, and it is not absolutely necessary. Whether others are aware of your sexuality or not, you are still valid. Coming out is a personal choice and something that you are entitled to do, or not do, at your own pace. 

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Hotlines & Websites for Support

 

Adolescent Suicide Hotline: 800-621-4000

 

Adolescent Crisis Intervention & Counseline Nineline: 1-800-999-9999

 

AIDS National Hotline: 1-800-342-2437

 

Gay and Lesbian National Hotline: 1-888-THE-GLNH (1-888-843-4564)

 

Gay & Lesbian Trevor HelpLine Suicide Prevention: 1-800-850-8078

 

For help finding a therapist: 1-800-THERAPIST (1-800-843-7274)

 

Project Inform HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline: 800-822-7422

 

STD Hotline: 1-800-227-8922

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Trevor Project Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-850-8078

*Note: this hotline specializes in gay and lesbian youth suicide prevention

 

Teen Helpline: 1-800-400-0900

 

Youth Crisis Hotline: 800-HIT-HOME

 

bddfoundation.org – Information about body dysmorphic disorder.

 

lgbtcenters.org – Information about LGBT community centers.

 

glbtnationalhelpcenter.org – An online chatroom for LGBT people. It’s completely confidential.

 

ok2talk.org – An online outlet for people to share their own stories and find support.

 

trevorspace.org – A social networking site for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth, as well as their allies.