List of LGBTQ terms

Like all communities, the LGBTQ+ community often uses many words or concepts which may be unfamiliar to others. This page lists all such terms and jargon which pertain to the Rainverse, including a brief overview of each term. As the understanding and meaning of these terms may change drastically over time, we have included links to external pages that provide more in-depth information.

This list describes each term only briefly, and omits many important nuances and considerations. Please visit the linked resources for a more complete understanding.

Acronyms

LGBT is short for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender. The acronym was historically written GLBT. Other common variations include LGBTQ+ and LGBTQIA.

Gender

Gender refers to how one relates to the gender categories within one's societal and cultural context.
Gender Identity refers to the way an individual experiences their identity in relation to social and cultural norms and expectations regarding gender categories.
Male is a gender identity which is part of the gender binary. Man is a term used for adults, and corresponds to the terms "boy" (for children), "male" (adjective), and "masculinity".
Female is a gender identity which is part of the gender binary. Woman is a term used for adults, and corresponds to the terms "girl" (for children and adolescents), "female" (adjective), and "femininity". The Rainverse features several female characters.
Non-Binary (also spelled Nonbinary) refers to genders that do not fall strictly within the category of the binary genders used in Western society.
Genderfluid refers to people who feel different genders at different times. Some genderfluid people may have a set rhythm of when their gender changes, while others may have more spontaneous occurrences.
Gender dysphoria, also known in gender contexts simply as "dysphoria", refers to a complex negative feeling or feelings about some aspect of one's experience of gender. Many transgender people do not experience gender dysphoria.
Cisgender (also called Cis in casual contexts) refers to a person who is not transgender. In the Rainverse, Gavin, Fara, Maria and Rudy are considered cisgender, while Rain is not.
Transgender (also called Trans in casual contexts) is an umbrella term that usually refers to a person whose sex assigned to them at birth does not well describe or align with their gender identity. The Rainverse features several transgender characters.
Transsexual refers to people (usually transgender) who have undergone or wish to undergo a physical gender transition. This was also used as an antiquated term for transgender. In the Rainverse, Rain, Jessica and Vincent are considered transsexual, while Ky(lie) is not.
Intersex refers to people who were born with any variation in sex characteristics that do not fit those of typical male or female bodies.
Gender assigned at birth (also called Assigned gender at birth, often shortened to AGAB) is the way a person's sex was described (or physically assigned, in the case of many intersex conditions) at the time of their birth. In Western culture, most people were either assigned female at birth (AFAB) or assigned male at birth (AMAB).
Transition refers to a person's process to reach their desired gender role and/or physicality. There are as many transition processes as there are transgender people, and may involve as few or as many actual steps or actions as the person desires.
Bigender refers to people who are two genders at once. This may be the binary genders male and female, or it may be a different set of genders.
Agender refers to people who do not have a gender.

Sexual attraction

Also known as Sexuality or Sexual orientation. Not to be confused with romantic attraction; some people may have sexual attractions that map onto their romantic attractions, while others may have different sexual and romantic attractions.

This is not an exhaustive list, see "Romantic and sexual orientation" on the Nonbinary Wiki for a more extensive one.

Homosexual refers to people who are sexually attracted to people of the same gender.
Gay may be either a synonym of homosexual, or it may refer to non-heterosexual people. Some lesbians may refer to themselves as gay.
Lesbian refers to people identifying with womanhood who are sexually attracted to other people who also identify with womanhood. Some lesbians may refer to themselves as gay.
Heterosexual refers to people who are sexually attracted to the other people of another gender.
Straight is a synonym of heterosexual.
Bisexual, as currently defined in the Rainverse, refers to people who are sexually attracted to two or more genders. Its outside definition, especially in regards to non-binary genders, is unclear.
Pansexual refers to people who are sexually attracted to all genders.
Omnisexual refers to people who are sexually attracted to all genders, but might have a preference for some genders over others.
Asexual (also called Ace in casual contexts) refers to people who do not feel sexual attraction.
Allosexual refers to people who feel sexual attraction.

Romantic attraction

Not to be confused with sexual attraction; some people may have romantic attractions that map onto their sexual attractions, while others may have different sexual and romantic attractions.

This is not an exhaustive list, see "Romantic and sexual orientation" on the Nonbinary Wiki for a more extensive one.

Homoromantic refers to people who are romantically attracted to people of the same or similar gender.
Heteroromantic refers to people who are romantically attracted to people of another gender.
Aromantic (also called Aro in casual contexts) refers to people who do not feel romantic attraction.

Slang

Beard refers to a significant other who a person retains in order to appear heterosexual.
Deadname refers to the name a trans person was assigned at birth but does not want associated with them.
Fag hag refers to a woman who associates mainly with gay and bisexual men. In Rain, Rudy offered to be Rain's "fag hag" after they broke up.
Homophobia describes a range of negative attitudes and behavior toward homosexuality or LGBT people generally. People who exhibit homophobia are sometimes called homophobes.