A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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ACT
UP: The acronym for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, an activist organization with independent chapters in various cities. ACT UP is acceptable in first reference with the full name in a subsequent reference. See AIDS.
AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, a medical condition that compromises the human immune system, leaving the body defenseless against opportunistic infections. Some medical treatments can slow the rate at which the immune system is weakened. Do not use the term “full-blown AIDS.” Individuals may be HIV-positive but not have AIDS. Avoid terms such as “AIDS sufferer” and “AIDS victim” because they imply powerlessness. Use “people with AIDS” or, if the context is medical, “AIDS patients.” See HIV.
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bisexual: As a noun, an individual attracted to both sexes. As an adjective, of or relating to sexual and affectional attraction to both sexes. Does not presume nonmonogamy.
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civil
union: A civil union provides same-sex couples some rights available to married couples in areas such as state taxes, medical decisions and estate planning. Recognized by several states but not the U.S. government. See commitment ceremony, domestic partner, marriage, or relationships.
closeted,
in the closet: Refers to a person who wishes to keep secret his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. See coming out.
coming
out: Short for “coming out of the closet.” Accepting and letting others know of one's previously hidden sexual orientation or gender identity. See closeted, or outing.
commitment
ceremony: A formal, marriage-like gathering that recognizes the declaration of members of the same sex to each other. It may be recognized by a religion but is not legally binding. See civil unions, domestic partner, relationships, or marriage.
cross-dresser: Preferred term for person who wears clothing most often associated with members of the opposite sex. Not necessarily connected to sexual orientation. Not synonymous with transgender or drag queen. See transvestite, transsexual, or transgender.
cruising: Visiting places where opportunities exist to meet potential sex partners. Not exclusively a gay phenomenon.
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domestic
partner: Unmarried partners who live together. Domestic partners may be of opposite sexes or the same sex. They may register in some municipalities and states and receive some of the benefits accorded to married couples. “Domestic partner” and “domestic partnership” are terms typically used in connection with legal and insurance matters. See partner, or relationships.
don’t ask, don’t tell: Shorthand for “Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue, Don't Harass,” the military policy on gay men, lesbians and bisexuals. Under the policy, instituted in 1993, the military is not to ask service members about their sexual orientation, service members are not to tell others about their orientation, and the military is not to pursue rumors about members' sexual orientation. The shorthand is acceptable in headlines, but in text the full phrase adds balance.
down
low: Usually refers to black men who secretly have sex with men, often while in relationships with women, but do not identify as gay or bisexual. Sometimes abbreviated as DL. Use with caution, as people generally do not identify themselves with this term. See MSM.
drag: Attire typically associated with the opposite sex.
drag
performers: Entertainers who dress and act in styles typically associated with the opposite sex (drag queen for men, drag king for women). Not synonymous with transgender or cross-dressing.
dyke: Originally a pejorative term for a lesbian, it is now being reclaimed by some lesbians. Caution: still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
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“ex-gay” (adj.): Describes the movement, mostly rooted in conservative religions, that aims to change the sexual attraction of individuals from same-sex to opposite-sex. Generally discredited as therapy in scientific circles.
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fag,
faggot: Originally a pejorative term for a gay male, it is now being reclaimed by some gay men. Caution: still extremely offensive when used as an epithet.
families: Proper term for identifying families led by LGBT parents. Identify parents' sexual orientation only when germane. Do not use “gay families.”
FTM: Acronym for “female to male.” A transgender person who, at birth or by determination of parents or doctors, has a biological identity of female but a gender identity of male. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes described as “post-op FTMs” (for post-operative). See gender identity, or intersex.
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gay: An adjective that has largely replaced “homosexual” in referring to men who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other men. Avoid using as a singular noun. For women, “lesbian” is generally used, but when possible ask the subject which term she prefers. To include both, use “gay men and lesbians.” In headlines where space is an issue, “gays” is acceptable to describe both. See lesbian.
gender
identity: An individual's emotional and psychological sense of being male or female. Not necessarily the same as an individual's biological identity.
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heterosexism: Presumption that heterosexuality is universal and/or superior to homosexuality. Also: prejudice, bias or discrimination based on such presumptions.
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus. The virus that causes AIDS. “HIV virus” is redundant. “HIV-positive” means being infected with HIV but not necessarily having AIDS. AIDS doctors and researchers are using the term “HIV disease” more because there are other types of acquired immune deficiencies caused by toxins and rare but deadly diseases that are unrelated to what we now call AIDS. See AIDS.
homo: Pejorative term for homosexual. Avoid.
homophobia: Fear, hatred or dislike of homosexuality, gay men and lesbians.
homosexual: As a noun, a person who is attracted to members of the same sex. As an adjective, of or relating to sexual and affectional attraction to a member of the same sex. Use only if “heterosexual” would be used in parallel constructions, such as in medical contexts. For other usages, see gay, or lesbian.
husband: Acceptable term for a male, legally married partner of a man. Ask which term the subject prefers, if possible. See lover, or partner.
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intersex
(adj.): People born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia or an internal reproductive system that is not considered standard for either male or female. Parents and physicians usually will determine the sex of the child, resulting in surgery or hormone treatment. Many intersex adults seek an end to this practice.
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lesbian: Preferred term, both as a noun and as an adjective, for women who are sexually and affectionally attracted to other women. Some women prefer to be called “gay” rather than “lesbian”; when possible, ask the subject what term she prefers.
LGBT: Acronym for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.” Useful in headlines.
lifestyle: An inaccurate term sometimes used to describe the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Sexual orientation may be part of a broader lifestyle but is not one in itself, just as there is no “straight” lifestyle. Avoid. See sexual orientation, or sexual preference.
lover: A gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual person's sexual partner. “Partner” is generally acceptable. See relationships.
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MSM: Acronym for “men who have sex with men.” Term used usually in communities of color to describe men who secretly have sex with other men while maintaining relationships with women. Not synonymous with “bisexual.” See down low.
marriage: Advocates for the right to marry seek the legal rights and obligations of marriage, not a variation of it. Often, the most neutral approach is to avoid any adjective modifying the word “marriage.” For the times in which a distinction is necessary, “marriage for same-sex couples” is preferable in stories. When there is a need for shorthand description (such as in headline writing), “same-sex marriage” is preferred because it is more inclusive and more accurate than “gay.” See civil union, commitment ceremony, domestic partner, or relationships.
MTF: Acronym for “male to female.” A transgender person who, at birth or by determination of parents or doctors, has a biological identity of male but later discovers a gender identity of female. Those who have undergone surgery are sometimes described as “post-op MTFs” (for post-operative). See gender identity, or intersex.
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obituaries: When reporting survivors, list partners of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender deceased in an order equivalent to spouses of heterosexual deceased.
openly
gay/lesbian: As a modifier, “openly” is usually not relevant; its use should be restricted to instances in which the public awareness of an individual's sexual orientation is germane. Examples: Harvey Milk was the first openly gay San Francisco supervisor. “Ellen” was the first sitcom to feature an openly lesbian lead character. “Openly” is preferred over “acknowledged,” “avowed,” “admitted,” “confessed” or “practicing” because of their negative connotations.
outing
(from “out of the closet”): Publicly revealing the sexual orientation or gender identity of an individual who has chosen to keep that information private. Also a verb: The magazine outed the senator in a front-page story. See coming out, or closeted.
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partner: The commonly accepted term for a person in a committed gay or lesbian relationship. See relationships, or lover.
pink
triangle: Now a gay pride symbol, it was the symbol gay men were required to wear in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Lesbians sometimes also use a black triangle.
practicing: Avoid this term to describe someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. Use “sexually active” as a modifier in circumstances when public awareness of an individual's behavior is germane.
Pride
(Day and/or march): Short for gay/lesbian pride, this term is commonly used to indicate the celebrations commemorating the Stonewall Inn riots of June 28, 1969. Pride events typically take place in June. See Stonewall .
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queen: Originally a pejorative term for an effeminate gay man but often used acceptably as slang among LGBT people. Still considered offensive when used as an epithet.
queer: Originally a pejorative term for gay, now being reclaimed by some gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people as a self-affirming umbrella term. Still offensive when used as an epithet.
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rainbow
flag: A flag of six equal horizontal stripes (red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet) symbolizing the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
relationships: Lesbian, gay and bisexual people use various terms to describe their commitments. Ask the individual what term he or she prefers, if possible. If not, “partner” is generally acceptable. See partner, or lover.
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seroconversion: Scientifically observable alteration of blood or other bodily fluids from HIV-negative to HIV-positive. The verb is “seroconvert.” See HIV.
seronegative: Synonymous with HIV-negative. See HIV.
seropositive: Synonymous with HIV-positive. See HIV.
safe
sex, safer sex: Sexual practices that minimize the possible transmission of HIV and other infectious agents. Some publications prefer “safer sex” to denote that no sexual contact is completely safe.
sexual
orientation: Innate sexual attraction. Use this term instead of “sexual preference.” See lifestyle.
sexual
preference: Avoid. Politically charged term implying that sexuality is the result of a conscious choice. See sexual orientation.
sodomy: Collective term for various sexual acts that some states have deemed illegal. Not synonymous with homosexuality or sex between gay men. The legal definition of sodomy is different from state to state; in some states, sodomy laws have applied to sexual acts practiced by heterosexuals. The U.S. Supreme Court decided in June 2003 that state sodomy laws targeting private, consensual sex between adult same-sex or opposite-sex partners violate the U.S. Constitution's due process clause.
special
rights: Politically charged term used by opponents of civil rights for gay people. Avoid. “Gay civil rights,” “equal rights” or “gay rights” are alternatives.
Stonewall: The Stonewall Inn tavern in New York City's Greenwich Village was the site of several nights of raucous protests after a police raid on June 28, 1969. Although not the nation's first gay civil rights demonstration, Stonewall is now regarded as the birth of the modern gay civil rights movement.
straight
(adj.): Heterosexual; describes a person whose sexual and affectional attraction is to someone of the opposite sex. As a noun, use “heterosexual” or “straight person.”
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tranny: Often a pejorative term for a transgender person, it is now being reclaimed by some transgender people. Caution: still offensive when used as an epithet and should be avoided except in quotes or as someone's self-identified term.
transgender
(adj.): An umbrella term that refers to people whose biological and gender identity or expression may not be the same. This can but does not necessarily include preoperative, postoperative or nonoperative transsexuals, female and male cross-dressers, drag queens or kings, female or male impersonators, and intersex individuals. When writing about a transgender person, use the name and personal pronouns that are consistent with the way the individual lives publicly. When possible, ask which term the subject prefers.
transition: The process by which one alters one's sex. This may include surgery, hormone therapy and/or changes of legal identity.
transsexual
(n.): An individual who lives or identifies with the sex opposite the one with which he or she was born. Transsexuals may or may not choose to take hormones or have surgery. Individual can be of any sexual orientation. To determine accurate use of names or personal pronouns, use the name and sex of the individual at the time of the action or news event being covered.
transvestite: Avoid. See cross-dresser.
two
spirit: An American Indian believed to possess a mixture of masculine and feminine spirits. Some identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Should not be used as a blanket term for LGBT American Indians.
wife: Acceptable term for a female, legally married partner of a woman. Ask which term the subject prefers, if possible. See lover, or partner.
