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
acceptable in first 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. Individuals may
be HIV-positive but not have AIDS.
Do not use the term “full-blown
AIDS”; it is appropriate to simply say that HIV-positive people
have developed AIDS or that their immune system is failing. Avoid “AIDS
sufferer” and “AIDS victim.” Use “people
with AIDS” or, if the context is medical, “AIDS patients.” See
HIV.
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bisexual: As a noun, an individual who may be 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 many rights
available to married couples in areas such as state taxes, medical
decisions and estate planning. Offered in Vermont and Connecticut,
but not recognized by the U.S. government.
closeted,
in the closet: Refers to a person who wishes to keep secret
his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.
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 and
outing.
commitment
ceremony: A formal, marriage-like gathering that recognizes
the declaration of members of the same sex to each other. Same-sex
marriages are not legally recognized by the U.S. government. See
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. See transvestite.
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 counties, municipalities and states and receive some of the
same benefits accorded married couples. The term is typically used
in connection with legal and insurance matters. See lesbian/gay 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 important balance.
down
low: Often used in communities of color. Refers to men who
secretly have sex with men, frequently while in relationships with
women, but who 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 of 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.
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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.
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
and 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
preferred. To include both, use “gay men and lesbians.” In
headlines where space is an issue, “gays” is acceptable
to describe both.
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 lesbian and
gay.
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intersex
(adj.): People born with sex chromosomes,
external genitalia or an internal reproductive system
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 which
term she prefers.
lesbian/gay
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.
LGBT: Acronym
for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender. ”
lifestyle: A
vague, often politically charged term
sometimes used to describe the lives
of lesbian, gay, 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.
lover: A
gay, lesbian, bisexual or heterosexual
person’s sexual
partner. “Partner” is generally acceptable. See gay/lesbian
relationships.
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MSM: Acronym
for “men who have sex with men.” Term often
used in medical contexts. Also used to describe men, often in communities
of color, 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 and lesbian/gay 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 a gender identity of female. Those who have undergone
surgery are sometimes described as “post-op MTFs” (for
post-operative). See gender identity and
intersex.
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obituaries: When reporting survivors, list partners of lesbian, gay,
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 “avowed,” “admitted,” “confessed” or “practicing.”
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 and closeted.
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partner: The commonly acceptable term for a person in a committed
gay or lesbian relationship. See lesbian/gay relationships and 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 lesbian/gay
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. Still considered
offensive when used as an epithet.
queer: Originally a pejorative term for
gay, now being reclaimed by some lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender people as
a self-affirming umbrella term. Still extremely
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) signifying the diversity of
the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
communities.
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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 LGBT
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 extremely 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 include preoperative,
postoperative
or nonoperative transsexuals, female
and male cross-dressers, drag queens
or kings,
female or male impersonators, and intersex
individuals. If an individual prefers
to be called transsexual, etc., use
that term.
When writing about a transgender person,
use the name and personal pronouns that
are consistent with the way the individual
lives publicly.
transition: The
process by which one alters one’s
sex. This may include surgery, hormone
therapy
and changes of legal identity.
transsexual
(n.): An individual
who identifies himself or herself
as a member of the opposite
sex and who acquires the physical characteristics
of the opposite sex. 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.
transvestite: Avoid.
The term has developed a negative connotation
and is now seen
as crude and old-fashioned, akin to “colored.” 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.
