by Matt Karimi
You’ve seen the acronym LGBTQIA+, but do you know what all those letters mean—and why they matter? Let’s break it down in a way that’s fun, quick, and a little bit historical, too.
L – Lesbian
Women who love women. During the AIDS crisis in the 80s and 90s, thousands of gay men were disowned by their families after contracting AIDS. The lesbian community came together to care for men with this illness as members of their community. As a gesture of gratitude for their support, the “L” came first.
G – Gay
Men who love men. In the 1960s, the community embraced the word “gay” over words like “homophile” and “homosexual,” because it was a word that didn’t refer explicitly to sexual activity.
B – Bisexual
People attracted to more than one gender. Organizations like the Committee of Friends of Bisexuality and individuals like Brenda Howard, known as the “mother of pride,” have played key roles in advocating for bisexual rights and visibility. Too often dismissed as being “in between,” bisexuality is a valid identity all on its own.
T – Transgender
People whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This can include transwomen (women who were assigned male at birth), transmen (men who were assigned female at birth), and nonbinary people (who may have been assigned male or female at birth). Trans visibility has grown in recent decades, though trans people still face high rates of violence and discrimination.
Q – Queer / Questioning
Someone who doesn’t feel defined by “gay” or “straight” may proudly call themselves queer. “Queer” has been reclaimed as an umbrella term for anyone outside traditional norms. “Questioning” means someone is still exploring their identity. “Q” was formally added to the acronym around 2016 to reflect this inclusivity.
I – Intersex
Intersex people are individuals born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit typical definitions of male or female. For example, a person with male-typical internal reproductive organs but female-typical external genitalia, or vice versa. Intersex people have always been part of humanity—ancient Greek, Roman, and Hindu texts include references to people with both male and female traits. Intersex activists today fight for the right to make choices about their own bodies.
A – Asexual
Also called “ace.” People who feel little or no sexual attraction, though many still have deep romantic relationships.
+ – Plus
Represents the many other identities in our community:
- Two-Spirit – Indigenous North American term for people embodying both masculine and feminine spirits; many tribes recognized Two-Spirit people as sacred.
- Non-Binary – A non-binary person is someone whose gender identity is not exclusively male or female. They may identify as a man, a woman, both, neither, or somewhere in between.
- Pansexual – A pansexual person is someone who can be attracted to people of all gender identities and sexual orientations. They may be attracted to people regardless of whether they identify as male, female, transgender, non-binary, or any other gender identity.
- Demisexual – A demisexual person is someone who only experiences sexual attraction after forming a strong emotional bond with someone. This means they don’t feel immediate sexual attraction based on physical appearance or other superficial factors.
- Aromantic – An aromantic person does not experience romantic attraction. They may still experience deep emotional connections and enjoy platonic relationships like friendships, but romantic relationships are not something they desire.
- Genderfluid – A genderfluid person’s gender identity shifts and changes over time. For example, one day they might feel strongly connected to a masculine identity, dressing and presenting in traditionally masculine ways, while the next day they might feel more aligned with a feminine identity, choosing to express themselves in a more feminine manner. Importantly, gender fluidity is different from transgender identities because genderfluid individuals may not desire to permanently transition to another gender.
- Agender – An agender person is someone who does not identify with any gender, or who experiences a lack of gender altogether. They may feel their gender identity is neutral or nonexistent. A fictional example is the character Pat from Saturday Night Live, whose gender is intentionally ambiguous.
A Note on Pronouns
Using correct pronouns is one of the simplest ways to show respect. Don’t assume—just ask. Common pronouns include:
- She/Her (for women and some trans women)
- He/Him (for men and some trans men)
- They/Them (for non-binary or anyone who prefers it)
When in doubt, use someone’s name or “they” until you know. Respect is always in style.
At the Vallarta Gay+ Community Center, our mission is to celebrate and uplift every identity under this rainbow spectrum. Thanks to your support, we can create programs and safe spaces that honor all of us because inclusion is powerful.
