Definitions
Content on this page provided by the Minnesota GLBTA Campus Alliance
Ally
A person who actively works to eliminate and interrupt all forms of oppression, such as ableism, ageism, anti-Semitism, biphobia, classism, homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, and xenophobia, among others. An ally is motivated by self-interest, a sense of moral obligation, and/or a commitment to foster social justice.
A person who actively works to eliminate and interrupt all forms of oppression, such as ableism, ageism, anti-Semitism, biphobia, classism, homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia, and xenophobia, among others. An ally is motivated by self-interest, a sense of moral obligation, and/or a commitment to foster social justice.
Androgynous
A person appearing and/or identifying as neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.
A person appearing and/or identifying as neither man nor woman, presenting a gender either mixed or neutral.
Asexuality
Umbrella term for those who tend not to have a sexual affinity towards others.
Umbrella term for those who tend not to have a sexual affinity towards others.
Bigender
A person whose gender identity is a combination of male/man and female/woman.
A person whose gender identity is a combination of male/man and female/woman.
Bisexuality (Multisexuality)
The potential to be attracted, romantically and physically, to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.
The potential to be attracted, romantically and physically, to people of more than one sex and/or gender, not necessarily at the same time, not necessarily in the same way, and not necessarily to the same degree.
Cisgender
A person whose gender identity and/or expression is congruent with social expectations of their birth assigned gender.
A person whose gender identity and/or expression is congruent with social expectations of their birth assigned gender.
Cisgenderism
The presumption that those whose gender expression and gender identity are congruent with their assigned sex at birth are superior to those who gender expression and/or gender identity are not congruent with their assigned sex at birth. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are transgender. (see Transphobia)
The presumption that those whose gender expression and gender identity are congruent with their assigned sex at birth are superior to those who gender expression and/or gender identity are not congruent with their assigned sex at birth. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are transgender. (see Transphobia)
Cisgender Privilege
(See Gender Conforming Privilege)
(See Gender Conforming Privilege)
Classism
The institutional, cultural, and individual set of practices and beliefs that assign differential value to people according to their socioeconomic class; and an economic system that creates excessive inequality and causes basic human needs to go unmet.
The institutional, cultural, and individual set of practices and beliefs that assign differential value to people according to their socioeconomic class; and an economic system that creates excessive inequality and causes basic human needs to go unmet.
Cross-Dresser
A person who wears clothes traditionally associated with people of another sex. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change it. (“Cross-dresser” should not be used to describe someone who has transitioned to live full-time as the other sex, or who intends to do so in the future.) While cross-dressing is a form of gender expression, it is not necessarily tied to sexual orientation or erotic activity. Most cross-dressers are heterosexual
A person who wears clothes traditionally associated with people of another sex. Cross-dressers are usually comfortable with the sex they were assigned at birth and do not wish to change it. (“Cross-dresser” should not be used to describe someone who has transitioned to live full-time as the other sex, or who intends to do so in the future.) While cross-dressing is a form of gender expression, it is not necessarily tied to sexual orientation or erotic activity. Most cross-dressers are heterosexual
Drag King / Drag Queen
The performance of one or multiple genders theatrically. Drag queens perform femininity, and drag kings perform masculinity theatrically. (Usually one understands drag performers to be theatrical cross-dressers. This is not necessarily the case.)
The performance of one or multiple genders theatrically. Drag queens perform femininity, and drag kings perform masculinity theatrically. (Usually one understands drag performers to be theatrical cross-dressers. This is not necessarily the case.)
Gender
A system of meanings and symbols and the rules, privileges and punishments for their use. All the ways in which people express their bodies and communicate with the world can be gendered and encoded with meaning.
A system of meanings and symbols and the rules, privileges and punishments for their use. All the ways in which people express their bodies and communicate with the world can be gendered and encoded with meaning.
Gender Assigned at Birth
A phrase which describes the coercive process of gender socialization in which members of our culture are institutionally and socially required to participate in based on the sex which they are assigned at birth.
A phrase which describes the coercive process of gender socialization in which members of our culture are institutionally and socially required to participate in based on the sex which they are assigned at birth.
Gender Conforming Umbrella
Term for those whose gender expression and gender identity is congruent with the sex assigned at birth and whose gender is validated by the dominant culture.
Term for those whose gender expression and gender identity is congruent with the sex assigned at birth and whose gender is validated by the dominant culture.
Gender Conforming Privilege
The benefits and access to resources one receives from society by virtue of being gender conforming and/or by virtue of having one's gender validated by the dominant culture.
The benefits and access to resources one receives from society by virtue of being gender conforming and/or by virtue of having one's gender validated by the dominant culture.
Genderqueer
A gender variant person who gender identity is neither male nor female, is between or beyond genders, or is some combination of genders in terms of expression and/or identity.
A gender variant person who gender identity is neither male nor female, is between or beyond genders, or is some combination of genders in terms of expression and/or identity.
Gender Roles
Social expectations based on our assumed or assigned sex.
Social expectations based on our assumed or assigned sex.
Heterosexism
The presumption that heterosexuality is superior to all other sexual orientations. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are bisexual, gay, and lesbian. (see Biphobia, Homophobia)
The presumption that heterosexuality is superior to all other sexual orientations. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are bisexual, gay, and lesbian. (see Biphobia, Homophobia)
Heterosexual Privilege
The benefits and access to resources one receives from society by virtue of being heterosexual and/or by virtue of being perceived to be heterosexual.
The benefits and access to resources one receives from society by virtue of being heterosexual and/or by virtue of being perceived to be heterosexual.
Homophobia
The fear and hatred or the discomfort with people who identity or may be perceived to be gay or lesbian. (see Heterosexism)
The fear and hatred or the discomfort with people who identity or may be perceived to be gay or lesbian. (see Heterosexism)
Intersex
A general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of female or male. (See isna.org)
A general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit the typical definitions of female or male. (See isna.org)
Multigendered
A person whose gender identity is a combination of many genders.
A person whose gender identity is a combination of many genders.
Omnisexuality / Pansexuality
An umbrella term for those who have an affinity for or attraction to many genders.
An umbrella term for those who have an affinity for or attraction to many genders.
Oppression
Systematic, mistreatment of and misinformation about people who are or perceived to be members of a particular group which is supported by the dominant culture of a society. Mistreatment includes economic and social marginalization. (Citation)
Systematic, mistreatment of and misinformation about people who are or perceived to be members of a particular group which is supported by the dominant culture of a society. Mistreatment includes economic and social marginalization. (Citation)
Privilege
Unearned access to resources, social power, and physical and psychological safety; only readily available to some people as a result of being part of – or being perceived to be a part of – a dominant social group (i.e. white privilege, able-bodied
privilege, male privilege, etc.).
Unearned access to resources, social power, and physical and psychological safety; only readily available to some people as a result of being part of – or being perceived to be a part of – a dominant social group (i.e. white privilege, able-bodied
privilege, male privilege, etc.).
Queer
Reclaimed derogatory slang for the gender and sexual minority communities which is now used as an identity word by some. Not accepted by all who identify as a gender or sexual minority.
Reclaimed derogatory slang for the gender and sexual minority communities which is now used as an identity word by some. Not accepted by all who identify as a gender or sexual minority.
Race
A social construct – not a biological or genetic category – that artificially divides people into distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance (particularly skin color), ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation or history, ethnic classification, and/or the social, economic, and political needs of a society at a given period of time.
A social construct – not a biological or genetic category – that artificially divides people into distinct groups based on characteristics such as physical appearance (particularly skin color), ancestral heritage, cultural affiliation or history, ethnic classification, and/or the social, economic, and political needs of a society at a given period of time.
Racism
A system of advantage based on race and supported by institutional structures, policies, and practices that create and sustain benefits for the dominant white group, and structure discrimination, oppression, and disadvantage for people from targeted racial groups.
A system of advantage based on race and supported by institutional structures, policies, and practices that create and sustain benefits for the dominant white group, and structure discrimination, oppression, and disadvantage for people from targeted racial groups.
Sex
Category assigned to each of us at birth which includes a variety of physical and biological characteristics. Assignment is usually performed based on visible genital anatomy.
Category assigned to each of us at birth which includes a variety of physical and biological characteristics. Assignment is usually performed based on visible genital anatomy.
Sexism
1. A system of advantages that serves to privilege men, subordinate women, denigrate women-identified values and practices, enforce male dominance and control, and reinforce forms of masculinity that are dehumanizing and damaging to men.
2. The presumption that men/males are superior to all other genders / sexes.
3. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are women or gender non-conforming / transgender
1. A system of advantages that serves to privilege men, subordinate women, denigrate women-identified values and practices, enforce male dominance and control, and reinforce forms of masculinity that are dehumanizing and damaging to men.
2. The presumption that men/males are superior to all other genders / sexes.
3. The oppression, discrimination, and bias against people who are women or gender non-conforming / transgender
Sexual Orientation
Can be understood as the relationship between your sex / gender and others’ sexes / genders.
Can be understood as the relationship between your sex / gender and others’ sexes / genders.
Social Justice
The focus on creating a just and equitable society where everyone has access to social power, resources, and physical and psychological safety. Power dynamics result in social inequality.
The focus on creating a just and equitable society where everyone has access to social power, resources, and physical and psychological safety. Power dynamics result in social inequality.
Trans
An umbrella term for those whose gender expression or identity are not congruent with societal norms. This word attempts to capture the diversity within transgender or gender non-conforming communities.
An umbrella term for those whose gender expression or identity are not congruent with societal norms. This word attempts to capture the diversity within transgender or gender non-conforming communities.
Transsexual / Transexual
A person who intent is to live as a gender other than that assigned at birth. Most transsexuals engage in some process of altering either primary or secondary sexual characteristics through hormone treatment or surgery or both. Some transsexuals live full time in their chosen gender without any alteration to physiology. (Note: this term is generally seen at outdated and may be offensive to some trans people.)
A person who intent is to live as a gender other than that assigned at birth. Most transsexuals engage in some process of altering either primary or secondary sexual characteristics through hormone treatment or surgery or both. Some transsexuals live full time in their chosen gender without any alteration to physiology. (Note: this term is generally seen at outdated and may be offensive to some trans people.)
Transgender
Umbrella term for those whose gender expression or gender identity is not congruent with the sex assigned at birth and/or whose gender is not validated by the dominant culture.
Umbrella term for those whose gender expression or gender identity is not congruent with the sex assigned at birth and/or whose gender is not validated by the dominant culture.
Transition
Refers to the complex process of altering one’s gender, which may include some, all or none of the following: changing name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and chest, facial and/or genital alteration. Transgender people may or may not choose to (or may or may not be able to) alter their bodies.
Refers to the complex process of altering one’s gender, which may include some, all or none of the following: changing name and/or sex on legal documents; hormone therapy; and chest, facial and/or genital alteration. Transgender people may or may not choose to (or may or may not be able to) alter their bodies.
Transphobia
The fear and hatred or the discomfort with people who identity or may be perceived to be gender non-conforming / transgender. (see Cisgenderism)
The fear and hatred or the discomfort with people who identity or may be perceived to be gender non-conforming / transgender. (see Cisgenderism)
Two Spirit
Umbrella term adopted by many cultures indigenous to North America which includes a variety of persons who may transgress gender boundaries in some way.
Umbrella term adopted by many cultures indigenous to North America which includes a variety of persons who may transgress gender boundaries in some way.
White Privilege
The concrete benefits of access to resources and social rewards and the power to shape the norms and values of society that whites receive, tacitly or explicitly, by virtue of their position in a white supremacist society.
The concrete benefits of access to resources and social rewards and the power to shape the norms and values of society that whites receive, tacitly or explicitly, by virtue of their position in a white supremacist society.
