LGBTQIA+ Tour: Glossary

This glossary of terms was produced in tandem with our Through a Lens: LGBTQIA+ tour, which is one tour in a series of self-guided tours in which we explore the collection through different lenses and from different perspectives.  

Anatomical Sex

Sex (sometimes called biological sex, anatomical sex, or physical sex) is comprised of things like genitals, chromosomes, hormones, body hair, and more. For example, someone may be biologically male, female or intersex. This should not be confused with gender (see below).

Asexual/Ace

A person who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexuality is a sexual orientation, like homosexuality or heterosexuality. Like those sexualities, it is a spectrum. Some asexual people do experience romantic attraction.

Bisexual/Bisexuality

Someone who is attracted to people of the same gender and to people of other genders, often on a spectrum. A bisexual person can be more attracted to one gender more than others and this attraction can fluctuate throughout their lives. 

Cisgender

Someone who’s gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth.

Cruising

Searching for and/or having sex with an anonymous sexual partner in a public place.

Drag

The performance of one or multiple genders theatrically.

Gay

Someone who is mainly attracted to people of the same gender.

Gender Identity

Our deeply felt internal experience of our own gender. For example, whether we identify as a man, a woman, non-binary or another gender. This is not the same as anatomical sex (see above).

Gender Expression

Presentation of gender, through actions, clothing, demeanour, and more. 

Gender-Neutral

People who identify as both male and female genders, or neither male nor female. This term is also applied to facilities, services and language that are accessible for everyone regardless of their gender. 

Homosexual

Attraction to people of the same gender. Used today mainly in a formal or medical context.

Heteronormative

Automatically assuming heterosexuality or a heterosexual view.

Heterosexual

Someone who is attracted to people of a different gender.

Intersex

Intersex people have biological traits that are not easily categorised as typically male or typically female. These differences occur in one or more of the five aspects of sex - external genitalia, internal gonads, chromosomes, hormones, and/or secondary sex characteristics. This means that people with a very broad spectrum of traits all fall under the umbrella term of intersex. 

Lesbian

A woman who is attracted to other women.

LGBTQIA+

Acronym for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and other genders/sexualities. 

Non-Binary/Genderqueer

People whose gender identity is not exclusively man or woman, variations that are not seen as fitting in with typical male or female bodies. This can also be a spectrum and can be very specific to the individual. 

Outed

To reveal someone’s sexuality or gender identity that was previously hidden, without their consent.

Pansexual

Sexual and/or romantic attraction to a person regardless of gender. 

Polyamory

To have multiple sexual or romantic committed relationships at the same time, with the consent of all partners involved. This is different to two people being monogamous, committed exclusively to one another. Polyamory is just one form of consensual non-monogamy. There are other forms such as open relationships (both partners agree that each may have sexual relations with others) and swinging (engaging in group sex or the swapping of sexual partners within a group, especially on a continuous basis). 

Queer

An umbrella term for gender and sexual minorities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Can also be a term used in place of the LGBTQIA+ acronym. Once a derogatory term, in the 1980s the community started to reclaim it. Its meaning is dependent on the con text in which it is used and is usually only used by LGBTQIA+ people themselves. 

Sexuality/Sexual Orientation

A person’s sexual identity in relation to the genders to which they are attracted. This includes gay/homosexual, straight/heterosexual, bisexual, pansexual, asexual and sometimes queer. 

Transgender

Identifies with or expresses a gender identity that is different from the sex which was assigned at birth, or living as a member of a gender not necessarily based on anatomical sex. Please note: sexual orientation is not dependent on gender identity.

 

Our Through a Lens: LGBTQIA+ tour is part of the Gallery’s wider LGBTQIA+ programming, including tours (public and private), talks and the OUTing the Past: LGBT History Festival. If you have any further questions or would like to know more about the Gallery’s LGBTQIA+ programming please contact Kate Drinane at [email protected] | (01)6633510.