WHAT DOES LGBTQ2+ REALLY MEAN?

CULTURE

Apr 1

With so many acronyms being used in 2022, it can be hard to keep up. However, LGBTQ2+ is one that you’ll want to have on your radar, especially if you’re a member of the community or an ally.

So, let’s break down what each part of the LGBTQ2+ stands for:

L: Lesbian

The first letter of LGBTQ2+ stands for lesbian. A lesbian is a female-identifying person who has a romantic or other attraction to female-identifying people. Some nonbinary people also use this term to describe themselves — all terms in LGBTQ2+ do not discriminate.

G: Gay

Next is the letter G, which stands for gay. Historically, the word gay was often used to just describe male-identifying people who have an attraction to other male-identifying people, but the term now generally encompasses all who are homosexual.

B: Bisexual

B stands for bisexual, which refers to people who have an attraction to those of their own and other genders. Many people get this term mixed up with pansexual, but there is a difference between the two, as those who identify as pansexual have attractions to anyone regardless of gender identity.

T: Transgender

The T stands for transgender or trans-identifying. This term encompasses those whose gender identity is not the same as the one they were given on their birth certificate. Often, you may hear people also refer to it as “trans.”

Q: Queer or Questioning

Q stands for queer, which is a term that in recent years has started to be reclaimed by the LGBTQ2+ community, especially those in Gen Z. The term had a negative connotation for years, but many younger members of the community now use it to describe themselves.

Essentially, queer refers to someone who is not cisgender or heterosexual. This term has often been used as an umbrella term for the entire LGBTQ2+ community as a whole.

The Q is also encompassing “questioning,” meaning those who may be questioning or exploring their sexual orientation, gender, or gender identity.

2: Two-Spirit

The 2 in LGBTQ2+ stands for two-spirit or two-spirited. It’s often used by indigenous people who have both male and female spirits within them. This is another more modern term!

+ : Pansexual, Asexual, Intersex, etc.

Last but not least is the + which encompasses everyone else who is also a part of the LGBTQ2+ community. Gender identities and attractions are always evolving, and this term was created to be inclusive of all.

Some common identities that classify as part of the + in early 2022 include:

Pansexual: those who have attractions with others regardless of gender identity
Asexual: those who do not have an attraction to others
Ally: those who are a friend of the community and fully support it
Intersex: those who were born with both male and female biological traits
Pangender: those who identify with all genders and don’t fit with just one
(many more — this is by no means a fully complete list!)

One thing to note is that just because you may think that someone may identify with a specific term on this list does not mean that they do. Someone who is a lesbian, for example, may prefer to be called queer. Do not assume and if you’re curious, just respectfully ask.

As a member of this community myself, I find it kind-hearted when someone asks because just as it’s respectful to ask pronouns, by asking what I identify as I feel more welcomed and comfortable.

Krystianna Pietrzak

KP is a Denver-based website designer and founder of Inkpot Creative for the LGBTQ2+ community and allies who are ready to stand out from the crowd in all the right ways through bold, colorful, and inclusive design. When she’s not designing websites for her amazing clients, she can be found visiting national parks, writing for her travel blog, or giving cuddles to her girlfriend and cat.