It is worth remembering that language is important when dealing with people's experience. There are words and terms that have a particular resonance for people.
It is impossible to give hard and fast rules about these words and language changes. It is sensible to check out with people what their preference is. Some lesbians, gay men and bisexual people choose to reclaim words that have been considered derogatory. This is a complex process and these reclaimed words should only be used by members of the group reclaiming them.
In all documents when referring to the group we recommend you use the actual names of the groups you wish to cover eg lesbians, gay bisexual and/or trans people.
BATTY BOY, SHIRT LIFTER, FAGGOT, SISSY, COCK SUCKER
are all derogatory terms for gay men.
BICYCLE, SWINGS BOTH WAYS
are all derogatory terms for bisexual people.
BIOLOGICAL SEX
Is being male or female, as determined by chromosomes, and body chemistry.
BI-SEXUAL
is a man or woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people of either sex.
COMING OUT
is the term used by lesbians, gay men and bisexuals to describe their experience of self discovery, self-acceptance, openness and honesty about their sexual orientation and their decision to share this with others when and how they choose.
CROSS DRESSER (CD)
An individual who adopts, fully or partially, the clothes normally identified as belonging to the opposite sex. People may cross-dress for a variety of reasons of which Transvestism, Transsexualism, and Fetishism are the most common.
DYKE
is a term for lesbian that is derogatory and is only reclaimable by lesbians.
FETISHISM
Erotic fetishism is the dependence on particular objects to obtain sexual arousal. Most common fetish objects are Female underwear, Leatherwear, and Rubber. Using female underwear for fetishistic purposes is one reason for partial cross-dressing. Many transvestite adolescents may go through a phase where the wearing or using clothes of their choice produces an erotic experience, but it has intrinsically a different motivation from fetishism.
GAY
Is a man or woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people of the same sex. (Many gay men prefer to be called 'gay' rather than homosexual
GENDER IDENTITY
A persons sense as him, or herself, as being masculine or feminine.
GENDER DYSPHORIA
Refers to the dissatisfaction with one's gender (masculinity or femininity) which is in conflict with one's physical sex. The term is usually confined to those seeking medical or surgical assistance to resolve their difficulty.
HETEROSEXUAL
Is a person attracted to the opposite sex.
HETEROSEXISM
is a set of assumptions and practices that promotes heterosexual relationships as the only 'natural' and valid form of sexual orientation. Heterosexism recognises/rewards those who are heterosexual and ignores/penalises those who are not.
HOMOPHOBIA
is the fear of feelings of love for members of one's same sex and therefore the hatred of people who have those feelings. The belief in the inherent superiority of heterosexuality and thereby its right to dominate.
HOMOSEXUAL
is a person man or woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to people of the same sex. (No longer current due to its 'medical' connections, which described it as a medical condition.)
IN THE CLOSET
is the term used to describe lesbians, gay men and bisexuals who are not open about their sexual orientation
INSTITUTIONALISED HETEROSEXISM
is a system that has embedded within it unfair discrimination against, and the oppression of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. It is often a subtle form of oppression which reinforces realities of silence and invisibility for gay and lesbian youth.
INTERNALISED HOMOPHOBIA
The fear and self-hate of ones' own homosexuality or bisexuality that occurs for many gay and lesbian individuals who have learned negative ideas about homosexuality throughout childhood. Once gay and lesbian youth realise that they belong to a group of people that is often despised and rejected in our society, many internalise and incorporate the stigmatisation of homosexuality and fear or hate themselves.
INVISIBILITY
The constant assumption of heterosexuality renders gay and lesbian people, youth in particular, invisible and seemingly non-existent. Gay and lesbian people and youth are usually not seen or portrayed in society, and especially not in schools and classrooms.
LEMON, LEZ BE FRIENDS, LEZZIE
are all derogatory terms for lesbians.
LESBIAN
a woman who is sexually and emotionally attracted to women. (Many lesbians prefer to be called lesbian rather than gay, queer or homosexual because it reflects their separate experience.)
KUSH
a Hindi and Urdu word for gay used in India and increasingly in Britain by South Asian lesbians and gay men.
MASOCHISM
Where someone derives pleasure from pain or humiliation usually within a sexual context. In their wish to play on their idea of the 'weaker sex' some males may cross-dress in order to be dominated by a partner.
POOF, POOFTER and QUEEN
a derogatory terms for gay men, and is only reclaimable by gay men.
QUEER
a term primarily for gay men that is being reclaimed and some lesbians feel comfortable using it.
QUEER BASHINGS
are violent attacks on lesbians and gay men.
REASSIGNMENT SURGERY
Is the official term for the 'Sex-Change' operation. It is not undergone lightly, and involves assessment and counselling to ensure that the course of action is appropriate for the individual.
STRAIGHT
is a colloquial term for heterosexuals.
TRANSEXUAL / TRANSGENDER
is a person whose biological gender is not the same as the gender they own as theirs. Many people have medication and surgery to alter their bodies so that they will fit their personal identity and sense of self.
TRANSSEXUAL (TS)
An individual who has a profound form of gender dysphoria where there is a conviction of being 'trapped in the wrong body' and the need to express themselves, and to be as far as is possible, in the gender with which they feel comfortable. They may seek reassignment surgery to alter their body to meet these beliefs.
TRANSVESTITE (TV)
Is someone who cross-dresses with the desire to adopt the clothes, appearance, and behaviour, associated with the opposite gender. For some it is simply 'dressing up' while for others, known as Dual Role Transvestites, it is a need to adopt the opposite role as fully as possible on a temporary or full-time basis.
TRANS PEOPLE
A phrase which intends to include trans sexual trans gender and transvestite people.