LGBTQQIP2SAA – An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer,
questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, androgynous, and asexual.
You may have seen the acronym LGBTQQIP2SAA (LGBTQ+ for short) when describing the queer community. It’s a long list of letters that represents various groups within the community.
L – Lesbian
A lesbian is a woman or non-binary person attracted to other women sexually, emotionally, or both.
G – Gay
Gay refers to men, women, non-binary, or gender-diverse people attracted to the same sex. It used to be applied specifically to cisgender men being attracted to other men, but is now more of a universal term.
B – Bisexual
Bisexual people have attraction to more than one gender identity. It used to be only to those who were attracted to men and women, but since there are many gender identities, the term expanded to include anyone attracted to two genders or more.
T – Transgender
Transgender is a term for a person whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.
Q – Queer
“Queer” is an umbrella term for people do not identify as straight or cisgender. It was once a derogatory slur for members of the LGBTQ+ community but has now been reclaimed by members of the LGBTQ+ community as a term of pride.
Q – Questioning
Questioning refers to anyone unsure of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
I – Intersex
Intersex people are born with sex traits that prevent them from fitting into the traditional gender ideas of male and female. These traits can be biological, hormonal, genetic, or anatomical. Intersex is an umbrella term for everyone who doesn’t fit the traditional gender definitions.
P – Pansexual
Pansexual people are sexually and/or emotionally attracted to all gender identities. While a similar concept to bisexuality, the significant difference is that bisexual people are attracted to two or more gender identities, while pansexuals are attracted to all genders.
2s – Two-Spirit
“Two-Spirit” is an umbrella term for members of Indigenous cultures that fulfill a traditional third gender or other variants in a ceremonial or social role. Two-Spirit identities are unique to every tribe, so the term Two-Spirit is a collective term.
A – Androgynous
“Androgynous” is a person that possesses both masculine and feminine characteristics. It may be expressed through biological sex, gender identity, or gender expression.
A – Asexual
Asexual people lack sexual attraction to other people. They may feel romantic affection for others, but they do not have the desire to act on it sexually. Asexual is a different concept than abstinence and celibacy, as instead of abstaining from sexual activity, there is actually no desire to have it. However, asexual is an umbrella term, and each person is unique in their experience. Some asexual people do have a bit of sexual desire, while some may not have any. In other words, this term can mean different things for people.
+
The plus sign found at the end of LGBTQ+ acronym refers to anyone who does not feel represented in the acronym. The LGBTQ+ movement continues to expand and be more inclusive so that everyone feels like they can be a part of the community.
