LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. The plus refers to all other sexual and gender identities such as intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, and ally.

Regardless of what terms people choose to use, what matters is that people have a choice in self-identification and that others acknowledge that identity. If someone tells you how they identify, they expect you to honor their individual identity.

Where a variety of orientations and identities had previously been referred to as “the gay community” and later “the gay and lesbian community,” the acronym eventually evolved as a way to be more inclusive of other identities.

Why has the acronym changed over time? It’s important to remember that words and meanings are always evolving. Bisexual, as defined by Sigmund Freud, originally meant a person was both a man and a woman. Being both a man and a woman is now referred to as bigender (under the transgender umbrella), and bisexuality is an attraction to multiple/all genders.

The importance of “Plus”

The term LGBT has been used since the 1990s and while variations such as LGBTQ are often used, many advocates argue that the addition of the “plus” is important and should not be overlooked. The purpose of the acronym is to represent the tremendous diversity of people who are same/similar gender attracted and transgender. The addition of the plus is there to fully capture that diversity.

Related Terms

Other terms related to the LGBTQ+ community are:

Intersex: This is a term to describe individuals who are born with variations of sex characteristics that do not fit with binary definitions of male or female bodies.
Pansexual: A term that describes a person who may have a physical, emotional, or romantic attraction to people of any gender.
Asexual: Also known as “ace,” refers to someone who has little or no sexual attraction; they may, however, experience romantic attraction.
Cisgender: People whose gender identity corresponds to their gender at birth.
Nonbinary: A person whose gender identity is neither exclusively woman or man.
Gender nonconforming: A person whose gender identity or expression is outside or beyond the traditional masculine/feminine and woman/man norms.

If you are from the LGBTQ+ community and would like more information about fertility treatment, please get in touch with our friendly team who would put you in touch with the right person for your personal circumstances.

Email enquiries@hertsandessexfertility.com or call 01992-785060