LGBTQ+ is short for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer. The term is referred to sexual orientation. Sexual identity is how people think of themselves and who they are romantically or sexually attracted to.

Sexual identity also means people’s sexual orientation, which is related to an individual’s perception of themselves. Sexual identity is different than gender identity. Gender identity isn’t about who people are attracted to, but ‘who they are’ (male, female, genderqueer, etc). 

The ‘L’ stands for lesbian, which means women who feel physical, romantic and/or emotionally attracted to other women. Some lesbians may identify as gay.

‘G’ stands for gay, which refers to people who feel physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to the same sex.

‘B’ stands for bisexual, which is a person who has capacity to feel physical, romantic and/or emotional attraction to those of the same gender as they are or to another gender.

‘T’ stands for transgender, which is an umbrella term for people whose gender does not conform that typically related with the sex they were assigned to at birth. People that fall under this umbrella may use a wide variety of terms. 

‘Q’ stands for queer, which is used by  people whose sexual orientation is not entirely heterosexual. The terms that fall the LGBT are limiting to some people. The ‘Q’ can sometimes be confused also for ‘questioning.’ It describes someone who is questioning their sexual orientation.

Contact Sara Al Harthi at [email protected].