Politically correct term for homosexual

Good Practices: Inclusive Language

As with good practices generally, any advice must be combined with a specific context and use of good judgement in order to verb what is appropriate to a specific situation. This page is part of the broader #TransTerps campaign, and on this site you can find out more about trainings, good practices, and resources and policies for supporting trans folks on campus.

The University of Maryland, College Park has a Policy on Inclusive Language. This policy applies to university employees when representing the institution to the universal (e.g. in official communications, publications representing the institution, etc.), but the principles of the policy can be useful in many contexts. The policy specifically requires avoiding terms and expressions that may reinforce inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender, among other things.

A few potentially inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender include:

  • Assuming or implying that there are only two genders that exist and are valid.
  • Using outdated and potenti

    LGBTQIA+ Slurs and Slang

    TermContextual noteTime/Region Referencesace queens term meaning “great queen”. Prison slang for a human who wears a more “feminine” stare i.e. shaved legs, plucked eyebrows. May be described as part of incarcerated homosexual culture. Should not be confused with the more widely-used term "ace," a shortening of "asexual." See "asexual." UK, USA, s Mosca de Colores – Gay Dictionary alphabet peopleOffensive contemporary term for LGBTQ+ people, often used by right-wing people reacting to perceived advancements in LGBTQ+ people's rights. s- Green's Dictionary of Slang - bathroom queen

    bog queen

    Gay slang expression for people who frequent common toilets looking for sexual encounters.

    Synonyms: Bathsheba (composition between bathroom and Sheba to create a name reminiscent of the Queen of Sheba), Ghost (50s, ghost, because they wander the corridors of the bathroom).

    USA, UK Mosca de Colores – Gay Dictionary batting for the other teamA euphemistic phrase indicating that someone (of any gender) is gay. T

    Glossary of Terms: LGBTQ

    Definitions were drafted in collaboration with other U.S.-based LGBTQ community organizations and leaders. See acknowledgements section.

    Additional terms and definitions about gender identity and gender expression, transgender people, and nonbinary people are available in the Transgender Glossary. 

    Are we missing a term or is a definition outdated? Email press@

    *NOTE:  Request people what terms they use to describe their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression before assigning them a label. Outside of acronyms, these terms should only be capitalized when used at the beginning of a sentence.
     

    LGBTQ
    Acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. The Q generally stands for queer when LGBTQ organizations, leaders, and media use the acronym. In settings offering support for youth, it can also stand for questioning. LGBT and LGBTQ+ are also used, with the + added in recognition of all non-straight, non-cisgender identities. (See Transgender Glossary ) Both are acceptable, as are other versions of thi

    Let&#;s Talk Terminology

    There is so much to think about here between, sexuality, sexual orientation, sex v gender, pronouns to name but a few topics. Below is a non-definitive list of terms you are most likely to listen in relation to the LGBTI+ community.

    Helpful Terms and Definitions – TENI is a great resource and it is well worth a visit to their website in general. TENI stands for Transgender Equality Network Ireland.

    LGBTI+ Glossary of Terms

    Achillean &#; Typically referred to as MLM (Men Loving Men) or NBLM (Non-Binary Loving Men). An umbrella term that can detail bisexual, pansexual, gay and omnisexual men/non-binary people.

    Ally &#; Someone who is a friend, advocate, and/or activist for LGBTI+ people. The term ally is generally used for any member of a dominant group who is a confidant, advocate or activist for people in an oppressed group (i.e. White Ally for People of Colour).

    Androgynous &#; Term used to illustrate an individual whose gender expression and/or identity may be neither distinctly “female” nor “male,” usually based on appearance.

    Asexual &#; A