DEFINITIONS

English is a fluid language in which definitions and connotations change over time and geography. These working definitions will assist in maintaining consistency.

Gay

A term that was once associated with either homosexual males or females, but which is becoming more and more specifically associated with male homosexuals.

Lesbian

A female homosexual.

Bisexual

Someone who is attracted physically and emotionally to people regardless of gender

Queer

Originally a derogatory label used to refer to lesbian and gay people or to intimidate or offend homosexuals. Recently, this term has been reclaimed by some lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgendered people as an inclusive and positive way to identify all people targeted by heterosexism and homophobia. Some lesbians and gays have similarly reclaimed dyke and faggot for positive self-reference.

Straight

A common term for heterosexual

Heterosexual Ally

A heterosexual person who supports and honours sexual diversity, acts accordingly to interrupt and challenge homophobic and heterosexist remarks and actions of others, and is willing to explore these forms of bias within him/herself.

Transgender

An umbrella term that includes transsexuals, cross-dressers, drag queens and drag kings, gender outlaws, and all those whose gender roles are ambiguous. This identification challenges tradition notions of sexuality and gender. Transgender people may be heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual.

Transsexual

Those who recognize that their sexual identity conflicts in a fundamental way with the biological sex into which they were born. A person who has taken measures (e.g. surgery or hormone therapy), or intends to change their physical sex.

Two-Spirit

An Aboriginal term used to describe people who embody both the male and female spirit. Two-spirit people were highly valued in traditional Aboriginal culture because they brought harmony and balance and could sit in both the male and female camps. Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered Aboriginal people are reclaiming this term.

Cross-dressing/Drag

Dressing in clothes commonly worn by the other gender for entertainment or to make a political statement against the rigid gender roles demanded by our society.

Transvestite

Someone who enjoys dressing in clothing commonly worn by the other gender, for the purpose of emotional or sexual gratification.

Sexual orientation

Innate direction of attraction for intimate emotional and sexual relationships with people of the same gender (homosexual, gay, lesbian), other gender (heterosexual), or two genders (bisexual). Sexual orientation may be the same as, or distinct from, sexual orientation identity and/or sexual behaviour.

Sexual behaviour

Sexual orientation may not be as relevant as actual sexual behaviour. For example, a man who is married to a woman but who has sex with men may refer to himself as heterosexual; a self-identified lesbian may have sexual relations with men.

Natal sex

The biological sex at birth. Society assumes a bipolar outlook on sex, including male and female only, while evidence suggests there may be many others.

Sexual identity

An individual’s physical sense of being male or female.

Gender identity

An individual’s sense of place in the socially constructed role of male or female.

Gender role expectations

Gender based patterning: includes all of the characteristics and traits culturally attributed to male and female roles in a given society.

Gender behaviour

Actions which may or may not reflect the gender role expectations of a given society.

Sexism

The social/cultural, institutional and individual beliefs and practices that privilege men, subordinate women, and denigrate women-identified values.

Heterosexism

The belief in the inherent superiority of heterosexuality over other patterns of loving and thereby its right to dominance. This privileges heterosexuals, oppresses homosexuals and denigrates alternate sexuality and genders.

Heterosexual assumption

The assumption that everyone is heterosexual unless otherwise indicated. This assumption is an aspect of heterosexism and perpetuates its existence.

Heterosexual Privilege

The benefits that heterosexual people automatically have and that are denied lesbians and gay men in a heterosexist culture. Also, the benefits that lesbians, gay men and bisexuals receive as a result of claiming heterosexual identity or denying homosexual or bisexual identity.

Homophobia

The fear of feelings of love for members of one’s own sex and therefore the hatred of those feelings in others. (Lorde, Audre; Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches; 1984) Homophobia is the ultimate weapon in reinforcing rigid sex-role conformity; sex-role conformity oppresses all females and limits male options. The negative feelings, attitudes and actions that some people have towards sexual minorities is often exhibited by prejudice, discrimination, harassment and acts of violence.

Biphobia

Fear, hatred or intolerance of bisexual people.

Transphobia

Fear, hatred or intolerance of transgender people.

AIDSphobia

Fear, hatred or intolerance of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Oppression

The systematic subjugation of a disempowered social group by a group with access to social power. (Blumenfeld, Warren J; Homophobia: How We All Pay the Price; 1992)

Coming Out

A process of coming to terms with and defining one’s homosexual or bisexual orientation.

Outing

The public exposure of an individual’s homosexuality or bisexuality.

Lifestyle

A term used to describe the way individuals live their lives. For example, some people like living in the country, while others like the city life. The word lifestyle is sometimes used incorrectly to describe a person’s sexual orientation: “She is living a gay lifestyle.” This usage is misleading because gay people live many different lifestyles. Being homosexual or bisexual in and of itself does not define the style of one’s life any more than being heterosexual does.