The LGBTQIA+ acronym brings together a range of sexual orientations and gender identities, with the plus sign making room for labels beyond its letters. Merriam-Webster gives the A three possible meanings: asexual, aromantic or agender. Here’s what the terms can mean, why versions differ, and how to talk about them respectfully.

Essential Takeaways

  • The letters name identities: LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex and asexual.
  • A can mean more than one thing: Merriam-Webster also includes aromantic and agender.
  • The plus sign keeps the door open: It recognises identities not listed in the acronym.
  • There’s no single fixed version: GLAAD recognises LGBTQ+, LGBT and other versions as acceptable.
  • Let people choose their own words: GLAAD and UC Davis both encourage asking how someone describes themselves.

LGBTQIA+ is an umbrella, not a single label

LGBTQIA+ is a shorthand for a broad range of identities, not a description that fits every person in the same way. Merriam-Webster defines LGBTQIA as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, and asexual, aromantic or agender. The plus sign signals that the list doesn’t name every identity.

That’s why the acronym can look different from one organisation or country to another. GLAAD says LGBTQ+, LGBT and other versions are acceptable, while the Government of Canada uses 2SLGBTQI+, placing Two-Spirit at the beginning. The letters are useful signposts, but they aren’t a closed inventory.

What do L, G, B and T mean?

L stands for lesbian, G for gay, and B for bisexual. These terms describe patterns of attraction, though people may use them in ways that feel right for their own experience. GLAAD cautions against defining bisexuality as attraction only to men and women; it can mean potential attraction to more than one gender.

T stands for transgender, which relates to gender identity or expression rather than sexual orientation. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation describes transgender as an umbrella term for people whose gender identity or expression differs from cultural expectations based on the sex assigned to them at birth. Being transgender doesn’t determine whom someone is attracted to.

The distinction is worth keeping in mind: gender identity and sexual orientation aren’t interchangeable. GLAAD’s glossary also recommends asking people which words they use for themselves, rather than assigning a label from the outside.

Q can mean queer or questioning

The Q usually stands for queer, though it can also mean questioning, particularly in settings supporting young people. GLAAD notes that queer has been reclaimed by many people, but it isn’t a term everyone accepts or uses for themselves.

Questioning describes someone exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity. That process can mean uncertainty, curiosity or taking time to find words that fit; it doesn’t require a particular outcome.

So, if you’re unsure whether queer is welcome as a description, don’t assume. GLAAD’s advice is simple: use the language a person chooses for themselves.

I and A cover distinct experiences

I stands for intersex, a term related to innate sex characteristics that fall outside traditional definitions of male or female bodies. GLAAD warns against confusing intersex traits with being transgender: one concerns sex characteristics, while the other concerns gender identity or expression.

A can stand for asexual, aromantic or agender. The Trevor Project explains that asexuality is about experiencing little or no sexual attraction, while aromantic describes a lack of romantic attraction. UC Davis describes agender as an identity under the non-binary and trans+ umbrella; people who use the term may understand their gender in different ways.

Asexuality isn’t the same as celibacy. The Trevor Project distinguishes identity from behaviour: asexuality concerns attraction, while celibacy means choosing not to have sex. People’s experiences of sexual and romantic attraction can also differ.

Why does the acronym keep changing?

Language shifts as people seek recognition for identities that a shorter acronym may not name. National Geographic traces the expansion from LGBT to forms including LGBTQIA and LGBTQIA+, while noting that different versions coexist and terminology is likely to keep evolving.

Two-Spirit is included in some versions, such as LGBTQIA2S+ and Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+. GLAAD describes it as a term used by some Indigenous and First Nations people, and says it shouldn’t be applied to people who aren’t Indigenous. It’s a culturally specific identity, not a general substitute for another label.

The variety can look like a puzzle at first, but no acronym has to do every job. Merriam-Webster offers a concise definition, while GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation and specialist glossaries provide more context. The most respectful guide, though, is the person describing their own identity.

Closing Line

When in doubt, ask what words someone prefers and use those.

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