This page contains definitions of Sexual Orientations, Romantic Orientations, Gender Identities as well as many other terms found on this site. We do not claim that these definitions are the exclusive, and single definition of each, however, they are but a single interpretation, designed to help clarify meanings of words and phrases.

Everyone defines their orientation and identity differently, so it is our advice, that this is respected.

If you have any issues with these definitions, requests for any orientation or identity, questions or comments, I direct you to our ask box.

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Sexuality

Allosexual:

Someone who experiences sexual attraction.

Androsexuality/Androphilia:

This is a sexual attraction to men, but more commonly masculinity. This has become a popular identifier, as it does not necessarily subscribe a gender to a person, rather towards their (masculine) presentation.

Aromantic:

An individual with a lack of romantic attraction, a lack of interest in romantic attraction and one whom identifies as this term.

While many people who identify as Aromantic are Asexual, this does not hold fast as a rule.

Asexual:

An asexual is an individual who does not experience sexual attraction, or experiences such a low level of sexual attraction that they do not consider it to be notable.

Asexuality is not celibacy; as people choose who are celibate may experience sexual attraction, but not necessarily act on it.

As all sexualities, diversity among the asexual community means that each individual may experience asexuality differently. Some individuals who identify as Asexual may, or may not masturbate, have sex, create relationships or hold the same definition of Asexuality.

Slang: (Ace)

Asexual (Grey A/Gray A):

An individual who identifies as Grey-A typically does not normally experience sexual attraction but;

May experience it sometimes, experiences sexual attraction but has a low sex-drive, experience's sexual attraction and has a sex-drive but not enough to wish to act on them, or someone who can enjoy and even desire sex, but only under a very specific and limited circumstance/s.

Autosexual:

An individual who prefers to receive sexual satisfaction from, and/or is sexually attracted to themselves.

While many Asexual’s may identify as Autosexual, it is not a purely Asexual orientation, and many Autosexual’s exist who do not identify as Asexual.

This is also not synonymous with masturbation.

Biromantic:

The romantic attraction to two genders. (Typically, but not always, male and female.)

Bisexual

There is no simple definition of Bisexuality.

Most commonly it is seen as an emotion and/or sexual attraction to two genders.

This definition includes the fact that some individuals who identify as bisexual are sexually and/or emotionally attracted to more than one gender but only form relationships with one.

Another commonly used definition is: The sexual attraction towards the same gender, and gender(s) different than your own.

Demiromantic:

Someone with a lack of romantic attraction, desire or need for an intimate or physical nature. This differs from the previously described Aromantic identity, as those who are Demiromantic have the ability to to develop feelings (romantic attraction) for someone ONLY after getting to know them, and understand them as a person, usually built out of an initial very close friendship.

Demisexual:

Someone who identifies as Demisexual, does not experience sexual attraction until they form a strong emotional connection with someone. While this can occur in a romantic relationship, this is not always the case.

In general, demisexuals are not sexually attracted to anyone of any gender, unless an emotional connected to someone else, when they ma experiences sexual attraction and desire, but only towards the specific partner/s.

This does it mean that someone who is Demisexual will not have sex, however, as sexual attraction does not equal the desire for sex.

Slang: Demi

Femmeromantic:

See Gyneromantic.

Gay:

A term that can either be used as an umbrella term for anyone who sexually, or romantically is attracted to someone of the same-sex or same-gender. However this definition is typically used for those who identify as a man, or woman, although many other definitions exist.

The second definition is used to exclusively refer to someone who is male-identified, who romantically or sexually is attracted to other male-identified individuals.

Gyneromantic:

The romantic attraction to female-identified people, or femininity, regardless of one’s gender

Gynesexuality/Gynecophilia:

This is a sexual attraction to women, but more commonly femininity. This has become a popular identifier, as it does not necessarily subscribe a gender to a person, rather towards their (feminine) presentation.

Heteroromantic:

A person who is romantically attracted to a member of the opposite sex and/or gender, is considered to be Heteroromantic.

While this term is typically used to describe Asexuals who seek romantic (but not sexual) relationships, It can also be used to describe someone of any sexuality, and/or gender.

Heterosexuality:

This is a sexual attraction to the “opposing” sex/gender. Typically this means a female/women attracted to male/men, and vice versa.

Slang: Straight

Homoromantic:

A person who is romantically attracted to a member of the same sex or gender, is considered to be Homoromantic.

While this term is typically used to describe Asexuals who seek romantic (but not sexual) relationships, It can also be used to describe someone of any sexuality, and/or gender.

Homosexuality:

See Lesbian, and Gay.

Lesbian:

A female-identified person who is sexually and/or romantically attracted to other female-identified individuals.

Non-sexual:

See Asexual.

Nonromantic:

See Aromantic

Omniromantic:

Someone who ha an equal romantic attraction to everyone with no gender preference.

Omnisexual:

An individual who identifies as Omnisexual may have an equal attraction to everyone and/or have no gender preference.

Panromantic:

An Individual who identifies as panromantic is romantically attracted to others, based on their personality, and is typically not limited by the other’s sex or gender.

Pansexual:

Pan sexuality is a sexual orientation used to describe an individual who feels they are sexually, and/or romantically attracted to all genders, based on an individual's personality.

Polyromantic:

The romantic attraction to numerous, but not every gender/s.

Polysexual:

The sexual attraction to numerous, but not every gender/s.

Pomoromantic:

Someone who doesn't fit in with the traditional definition of romantic orientation, one for whom romantic orientation doesn’t makes sense, even in terms of a lack of it, or someone who deliberately goes out of their way to challenge and break apart the conventions of romantic orientations may be Pomoromantic.

Pomosexual:

This is a sexual orientation that is used when an individual does not wish for their sexuality to be placed into pre-existing, conventional categories.

Same Gender Loving:

This is a term sometimes used by members of the African-American / Black community as an alternative sexual orientation without relying on terms and symbols of European descent.

This term emerged in the early 1990’s with the intention of offering Black women who love women and Black men who love men a voice, a way of identifying and being that resonated with the uniqueness of Black culture in life.

Skolioromantic:

This is the romantic attraction towards non-binary identified individuals. This orientation is notable, as it doesn’t describe an attraction to genitalia or assigned birth-sex.

Skoliosexual:

This is the sexual attraction towards non-binary identified individuals. This orientation is notable, as it doesn’t describe an attraction to genitalia or assigned birth-sex.

Spectraromantic:

This is a romantic orientation to people who fall within a spectrum of genders and/or sexes.

Spectrasexual:

This is a sexual orientation to people who fall within a spectrum of genders and/or sexes.

Queer:

This is an umbrella term for anyone who is not heterosexual, gender-binary and/or heteronormative.

It can also be used in the same manner as Pomosexual; as a term used to describe someone who doesn’t wish their sexual orientation to be placed into conventional categories.

Gender and Sex

Agender:

This is a gender identity where an individual identifies as having no gender, and/or feels like they have no gender.

Androgyny/Androgynous:

Androgyny can be defined in many ways; typically it is associated as a presentation of an ambiguous gender, or the feeling of being between “male” and “female”.

Bigender:

An identifier meaning “two genders”. Someone who identifies as this may feel to be simultaneously, or consecutively, two separate genders in one body. This is typically, but not necessarily masculine and feminine.

Many people who identify as Bigender may express a distinctly “male” persona and a distinctly “female” persona, but many other gender configurations exist.

Butch:

Butch is a term used to to describe a masculine gender expression or identity. While many people who identify as butch use the term to reference their gender expression, many others claim it as a non-binary identity in itself.

CAFAB:

This acronym means “coercively assigned female at birth”.

This is used by intersex individuals who were assigned female at birth without their consent, usually with surgical modifications to their body.

CAMAB:

This acronymn means “coercively assigned male at birth.”

This is used by intersex individuals who were assigned male at birth without their consent, usually with surgical modifications to their body.

Cisgender/Cissexual:

When an Individual’s assigned birthsex of matches the gender of the mind, and they identifying with this, they are Cis Gender.

Likewise, when an individual is born with the correct-sex body, they are Cissexual.

Demigirl:

This is a gender identity that can refer to someone who was assigned female at birth who feels only the slightest association with"female". However they don’t feel enough disassociation to result in physical discomfort/dysphoria.

This can also refer to someone who was assigned male at birth, who identifies as transfeminine, but is not completely binary-identified. This mean that they feel more strongly associated with “female” than “male,” but not strongly enough to justify an absolute identification as “woman".

Demiguy:

This is a gender identity that can refer to someone who was assigned male at birth who feels only the slightest association with"male". However they don’t feel enough disassociation to result in physical discomfort/dysphoria.

This can also refer to someone who was assigned female at birth, who identifies as transmasculine, but is not completely binary-identified. This mean that they feel more strongly associated with “male” than “female,” but not strongly enough to justify an absolute identification as “man".

Dyadic:

One who is born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia or an internal reproductive system that is considered “standard” for either male or female.

Female:

This is a gender identity used to describe someone who identifies as a woman.

Female Bodied:

A term used to describe someone who identifies their body as female.

Femme:

Femme is a term used to to describe a feminine gender expression or identity. While many people who identify as femme use the term in reference to their gender expression, many others claim it as a non-binary identity in itself.

FTM/F2M:

Female-To-Male

(See Transgender)

FTN/F2N:

Female-To-Neutrois

(See Transgender, and Neutrois)

Genderfluid:

This is a gender identity that refers to a gender identity that changes with time, circumstances and/or situations. This is different to a Genderqueer Expression, or a fixed sex-gender, in that Genderfluid expressions can change gradually or quickly.

Genderfuck:

This is an identity built around playing with stereotypical gender cues to purposely confuse, or combine a culture’s standard or gender expressions. A person who identifies as Genderfuck may wish to remain separate from Gender, or may play with the idea of Gender.

Genderqueer:

Someone who is Genderqueer identifies as being of neither, simultaneously or consecutively both and/or other gender/s in respects to the Gender Binary.

This term is used as an umbrella term to describe anything outside the Gender Binary.

Gender Variant/ Gender Non-conforming:

Someone who is gender variant, deviates from the expected characteristics of their birthsex.

This can be used as an Umbrella term to describe anyone not strictly in the Gender Binary, but it is also a Gender Identity used to describe someone who feels that they are outside the Binary, but not necessarily of a “known” gender.

This term may be used in tandem with other identities.

Intergender:

Intergender refers to an individual whose gender identity is between genders or a combination of genders.

Intersex:

One who is born with sex chromosomes, external genitalia or an internal reproductive system that is not considered “standard” for either male or female.

About 1.7% of children are born with mixed sexual anatomy that makes it difficult to label them male or female.

“Intersex” is the preferred term to hermaphrodite (which is considered to be a slur.)

Male:

This is a gender identity used to describe someone who identifies as a man.

Male bodied:

A term used to describe someone who identifies their body as male.

MTF/M2F:

Male-to-Female

(See Transgender)

MTN/M2N:

Male-to-Neutrois

(See Transgender, and Neutrois)

Multigender:

See Polygender

Neutrois:

This is an identity used by individuals who feel they fall outside the gender binary. Many feel Neutrois is a gender, like a third gender while others may feel agendered.

Typically, someone who identifies as Neutrois may have a desire to eliminate all physical traits of their assigned sex.

Pangender:

A person whose gender identity is comprised of many gender expressions, may identify as Pangender.

Polygender:

This is an identifier that means someone who feels as if they are more than one gender or a combination of genders.

Trans*:

This is an umbrella term used to describe ANYONE who falls under a non-binary gender, or is Transgender.

The asterisks (*) is used to be inclusive of the many different gender identities, and is preferable in non-binary communities as it places an emphasis on gender transgression, rather than on the gender, or sex elements. It also doesn’t separate the identity of Transgender, and Transsexual.

Transgender/Transsexual:

When an Individual’s assigned birth sex does not match the gender of their mind, and they identifying as such, they are Transgender.

Likewise, when an individual is born with as the wrong-sex body, and they attempt to correct this, they are Transsexual.

The difference is whether the emphasis is on the gender, or birthsex of an individual.

As an umbrella term, it is used for anyone who identifies as anything other than the their assigned birthsex, however it is more commonly used for FTM and MTF persons.

(Note: Transsexual is considered to be a slur by some members of the Transgender community.)

Transandrogyny:

A gender expression that is similliar to androgynous, in that is doesn’t have a prominent masculine or feminine component.

Transmasculine:

This is a term used to describe individuals were were assigned female at birth who may feel dissociated from female gender identification, and are are at a place much closer to the “male end” of the binary spectrum, either through a preference towards behavioral or physical “masculinity,” or through being in a state similar to that of a demiguy, where they may feel “weakly male,” but not very attached to the idea of being a “man.”

Transfeminine:

This is a term used to describe those who were assigned male at birth, but who feel wholly dissociated from male gender identification, and who are at a place much closer to that end of the binary spectrum, either through a preference towards behavioral or physical “femininity,” or through being in a state similar to that of a demigirl, where they may feel “weakly female,” but not very attached to the idea of being a “woman.”

Trigender:

This gender refers to two different circumstances;

The first comprises of people who feel they are neither male nor female, but not androgynous and thus construct their own gender.

It may also be used in reference to a person who moves between three genders, as bigender is used to refer to those who move between two genders.

Third-Gendered:

Some Individuals who feel they are neither male nor female, but not androgynous, who construct their own gender.

The third gender may also include some Intersex people, some Transgender people, and some Androgynous people.

Two-Spirited:

The term two-spirit is usually considered to specific to the Zuni tribe. Similar identity labels vary by tribe such as Wintke (Lakota), Hee-man-eh (Cheyenne), and Nedleeh (Navajo).

This is a identifier used by Native American person/s who embodies attributes of both masculine and feminine genders, have distinct gender and social roles in their tribes, and are often involved with rituals. Their dress is usually mixture of male and female articles and they are seen as a separate or third gender.

Relationship Terms.

Monoamory:

Someone who has one relationship at a time.

Monogamy:

Marriage between two people

Polyamory:

Someone who has numerous relationships with people where there is consent of everyone involved. This can take shape in an infinite number of ways, in an infinite number of combinations and meanings.

Polygamy:

Marriage between more than two people.

Terms you should know

Assigned Sex/Gender:

The sex that you are assigned at birth, generally by a medical professional, based on an examination of external genitalia.

Binder:

This is a tight, spandex and/or synthetic fibre singlet-like undergarment that is used to bind the breasts down to create a flatter appearance.

This is primarily used by FtMs, FtNs and other gendervariant individuals.

Breast Form:

This is a breast-shaped molding, typically made of silicone, that can be glued to the chest or put into an individul’s bra. This is done to appear as if one has a bust, or to simply enhance it and/or make them look bigger.

This is primarily used by MtFs and other gendervariant individuals.

Come Out/Coming Out:

To recognize non-heterosexual sexual, romantic, or non-cis gender identity and be open about it to oneself and others.

This has been called a problematic term, as it enforces the belief that normal, and the assumed is heterosexual and cis, and that everything else is “other” and therefore requires someone to “come out.”

Dysphoria/ Dysphoric:

This refers to the social or physical discomfort that a trangender person experiences.

This can be about their gender, their gender expression, their presentation, their behaviour, their body, or a number of other circumstances and situations.

Gender Binary:

The gender binary is a concept that gender is a binary (made of two parts) comprised of masculine/men and feminine/women.

Packer:

A packer is a realistic penis (sometimes with realistic testicles) that is used to make it appear as though an Individual has a penis.

This is primarily used by FtMs and other gendervariant individuals.

Also known as “stuffer”.

Passing:

Passing is the ability to present yourself as any gender other than the one assumed at birth, and be accepted as such. It can also directly refer to a desire or ability to be perceived as a member of a particular gender, or group.

Sexual Orientation:

Your sexual orientation is the way you identify your sexual desires, or urges. This is not necessarily aligned to the sex or gender a person is attracted to or in a relationship with.

SOFFA:

This is anAcronym that means “Significant Others, Friends, Family and Allies.”

This is used to indicate people who have a supportive relationship to a queer or gender non-conforming person.

Stealth:

When a person chooses to be secretive, or non-disclosure in the public view about their gender history, after transitioning or completely passing they can be described as “Stealth.”

Transition:

This term refers to the time in which in a gender role which is in agreeance with their gender identity. It also can refer to the process of physically changing your appearance, body, and life to match your internal gender identity. This is done through clothing, behavior, legal documents, hormones, and/or surgery.

This is also referred to, as physical transition.