Quick Peek: Terms at a glance

• LGBTQ
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bisexual, Bi, Bi
• Transgender
• Queer
• Nonbinary
• Drag queen
• Rainbow flag
• Closeted
• Coming out
• Gender and gender dysphoria
• Intersex
• Out
• Say this, not that: terms you should avoid

The calendar flips, and suddenly the world bursts into rainbow hues. Brands light up their logos, your social feed fills with flags and filters, and everywhere you look, Pride Month shines bright, colourful, proud, and impossible to miss.

But amidst all the celebration, it is easy to forget that Pride is not just about trends and reels. It is rooted in a powerful history that began with protests and resonated with courage. But how often do we pause to truly understand the language we use? Words like queer, closeted, or gender are sometimes thrown around casually often misused, misunderstood, or stripped of the weight it carries.

The modern Pride movement was sparked in 1969 with the Stonewall Riots in New York, led by queer and trans people of colour who stood up against police harassment. That spirit of resistance continues today, especially in places where being yourself still comes at a cost.

So to make these conversations more respectful and informed, The Better India has joined hands with The Humsafar Trust, one of India’s oldest LGBTQ organisations, to create a glossary that explains these common but important terms — simply, clearly, and with heart.

Whether you’re an ally wanting to learn more or just curious about what words like intersex or biphobia truly mean, this guide is for you.

Just a small note before you dive in: This glossary does not cover every term or represent everyone in the LGBTQ community. After all, there is no single way to be LGBTQ and definitely no one-size-fits-all way to talk about the identities.

So, what can be done while being respectful? Simply ask.

Ask people how they describe themselves, ask for their pronouns, and reflect that in how you speak about them or write about them. At the end of the day, language is about listening, and this guide is just a starting point to help us all do that a little better.

LGBTQ

Let’s start with the foundation. You’ve probably seen the acronym LGBTQ used often, whether in conversations, news, or on social media. It stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer. Sometimes, especially in youth-focused spaces, the Q can also mean questioning because figuring things out takes time, and that is okay.

You might also see versions like LGBTQ , with the plus added to be more inclusive of all identities that don’t fall under “straight” or “cisgender.” There’s no one perfect acronym, which is fine at the end of the day because what matters is using language that respects and includes everyone.

While “gay community” is a phrase that was once commonly used, it does not quite serve the purpose any longer. It fails to reflect the beautiful diversity within the community. Today, it’s more accurate and inclusive to say LGBTQ community or LGBTQ community instead.

Lesbian

A lesbian is a woman who feels emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to other women. Simple as that. Some women may prefer to call themselves gay or gay women, which is completely their choice.

Side note: Refrain from using the term “homosexual.” It can feel outdated or clinical. Instead, go with how someone describes themselves; that can be done by simply asking!

Gay

The term gay usually refers to a person who is emotionally, romantically, and/or physically attracted to people of the same gender. It is most commonly used for men (as in gay men), but some women also use the word to describe themselves (gay women or gay people).

Also, just like with lesbians, try to avoid the word ‘homosexual’ as it feels clinical and impersonal to many people.

Bisexual, Bi, Bi

Being bisexual means that someone can feel emotionally, romantically, or physically attracted to more than one gender. This doesn’t mean they’re always attracted to all genders........

© The Better India