Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryWhy LGBTQIA+ Representation MattersWhen to Use the LGBTQIA+ AcronymImpact of the LGBTQIA+ AcronymChallenges and Limitations of the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

Why LGBTQIA+ Representation Matters

When to Use the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

Impact of the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

Challenges and Limitations of the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

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Thanks to sitcoms like “Will & Grace” and “Modern Family” and celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Cynthia Nixon, there’s been more visibility and knowledge of various sexual and gender identities. And as our society changes, so does our language. Just take the initialism LGBTQIA+ for an example. LGBTQIA+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual,transgender, queer (or sometimes questioning), intersex, asexual, and others. The “plus” represents other sexual identities, including pansexual and Two-Spirit.

The acronym is used to represent a diverse range of sexualities and gender identities, referring to anyone who is transgender and/or same/similar gender attracted.

Below, we explain what each letter in the LGBTQIA+ acronym means, the history of the term, and why (all) queer representation is important. Because, yes, representation is (and will always be) essential to marginalized groups.

What Does Each Letter Mean?

LGBTQIA+ Acronym VariationsOther acronym variations that are sometimes used include LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer) and LGBTQQIP2SAA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S), androgynous, and asexual).

LGBTQIA+ Acronym Variations

Other acronym variations that are sometimes used include LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer) and LGBTQQIP2SAA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit (2S), androgynous, and asexual).

History of the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

Where a variety of orientations and identities had previously been referred to as “the gay community” and later “the gay and lesbian community,” the acronym eventually evolved as a way to be more inclusive of other identities.

The original acronym has gained more letters designed to help better represent other identities related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Why the “Plus” Matters

While variations such as LGBT or LGBTQ are often used, many advocates argue that the addition of the “plus” is important and should not be overlooked. The purpose of the acronym is to represent the tremendous diversity of people who are same/similar gender attracted and transgender. The addition of the plus is better able to fully capture that diversity.

“Coverage of LGBTQ issues has moved beyond simplistic political dichotomies and toward more fully realized representations, not only of the diversity of the LGBTQ community, but also of LGBTQ people’s lives, their families, and their fundamental inclusion in the fabric of American society,” explains GLAAD, or the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Some other terms that you may see or hear related to the LGBTQIA+ community include:

A person’s gender identity is their internal sense of gender, whether that is woman, man, or a nonbinary gender. A person’s gender identity does not necessarily correspond to their sex assigned at birth or with their gender expression.

Reminder

What Does It Mean to Be Genderqueer or Nonbinary?

The LGBTQIA+ acronym serves an important purpose—not only is it designed to be more inclusive, but it also represents the self-identities of people who are transgender and/or similar gender attracted.

Inclusivity

The use of the acronym is intended to be an all-encompassing way to recognize different gender identities and sexual orientations. The addition of other identities to the LGBT acronym also plays an important role in recognizing and connecting them to a larger community.

Visibility

Visibility can also help create a greater sense of self-affirmation of a person’s identity. Research has found that offering inclusive and affirmative environments is important for LGBTQ+ youth.

Research also suggests that despite safety concerns, being visible as a member of the LGBTQ+ community can be an important way to feel a sense ofpridein individual identity.Affirming self-identity can help people feel greater self-esteem, self-worth, and boost overall mental well-being. This can be particularly important since representation has long been lacking in mainstream media.

How to Be an Ally to and Within the LGBTQIA+ Community

Uses of the LGBTQIA+ Acronym

The acronym LGBTQIA+ has become more popular and accepted. Terms such as queer are sometimes used as well, but not all members of the community are comfortable with it as it is still a slur.

When to Use It

So how do you know when to use the term LGBTQIA+?

While LGBTQ+ on its own is the most commonly used and probably widely recognized, LGBTQIA+ is more inclusive to the larger community. Even more inclusive variations exist, such as LGBTQI2S (which represents lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, queer, intersex, and Two-Spirit). Indigenous people created the term Two-Spirit to separate themselves from Western descriptions of gender and sexual identities, and some feel it is disrespectful to attach Two-Spirit to the acronym because of that.

Regardless of what terms people choose to use, what matters is that people have choice in self-identification and that others acknowledge that identity. If someone tells you how they identify, focus on honoring their individual identity.

If you are interested in learning more about what terms and phrases should be avoided, GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has a reference page that offers helpful information onLGBTQ termsas well as information on terms that are specific to thetransgender community.

LGBT and related acronyms have become widely used in recent years. It has also played a role in raising the visibility of marginalized groups, including transgender individuals.

Research suggests that while attitudes have shifted towards greater acceptance, LGBTQ+ people still face considerable homophobia and discrimination. Harassment, bullying, and workplace discrimination are not uncommon.

One advantage of utilizing a unified terminology is the ability to engage in political advocacy. Social solidarity can be used to improve visibility, combat discrimination, and advance causes including anti-discrimination and equality laws.

Unifying terms like LGBTQIA+ can help people feel connected to a larger group of people with shared experiences. But the term can sometimes seem to imply that there is a single, homogenous group when there are actually many individual communities made up of diverse individuals. These communities have some things in common, but each identity has its own unique experiences and needs.

Challenges

Others may feel left out from the standard four initials, which is why the addition of Q, I, A, and “Plus” can be helpful.

This doesn’t mean that terminology won’t continue to evolve and shift, particularly as people work to achieve greater representation and acceptance of transgender people especially.

LGBTQIA+ Resources

If you are interested in learning about LGBTQIA+ issues, there are a number of resources available that can help.

The goal of using more inclusive terms like LGBTQIA+ is to improve visibility, recognition, and acceptance. It is important to remember that LGBTQIA+ people continue to face discrimination. Transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals, in particular, are frequently the target of social and economic marginalization as well as harassment and violence.

Terms and definitions are always evolving. When it comes to something as personal as sexuality and gender identity, these terms and definitions can mean different things to different people. While working to understanding and use terms such as LGBTQIA+ can help increase the visibility of people who have faced marginalization and discrimination, it is important to remember that the most important labels or definitions are the ones that people give to themselves.

If you are seeking support for issues with coming out, relationships, bullying, self-harm, and more, contact theLGBT National Hotlineat1-888-843-4564for one-to-one peer support.For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

If you are seeking support for issues with coming out, relationships, bullying, self-harm, and more, contact theLGBT National Hotlineat1-888-843-4564for one-to-one peer support.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

I Belong to the LGBTQ+ Community Even If Others Disagree

9 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Intersex Society of North America.What Is Intersex?

Gold M.The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+.The New York Times.

GLAAD.Media reference guide.

Clayton JA, Tannenbaum C.Reporting sex, gender, or both in clinical research?.JAMA.2016;316(18):1863–1864. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.16405

Hadland SE, Yehia BR, Makadon HJ.Caring for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in inclusive and affirmative environments.Pediatr Clin North Am. 2016;63(6):955-969. doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2016.07.001

Higa D, Hoppe MJ, Lindhorst T, et al.Negative and positive factors associated with the well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.Youth Soc. 2014;46(5):663-687. doi:10.1177/0044118X12449630

OECD.The LGBT challenge: How to better include sexual and gender minorities?.Society at a Glance 2019: OECD Social Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris. 2019. doi:10.1787/c64c3d3f-en

Stotzer RL.Data sources hinder our understanding of transgender murders.Am J Public Health. 2017;107(9):1362-1363. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303973

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