Student Leadership and Activities

The terms below come from several sources, may not be concrete and different people may have different definitions of certain terms. These are provided as a starting place for discussion.

A person who supports and honors sexual orientation, sexual and gender diversity, acts to his or her personal ability to challenge homophobia or heterosexism and is willing to explore and understand these forms of bias within her or himself.

A person who does not define or express his or her sexuality in any way that is commonly held - not heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual.

An individual who is physically, emotionally, psychologically and/or spiritually attracted to both men and women or someone who identifies as a member of this community. Contrary to stereotypes, they are capable of long-term monogamous relationships.

The physiological and anatomical characteristics of maleness or femaleness with which a person is born. It is determined by our chromosomes (XX for females, XY for males), hormones and genitalia. About 1.7% of the population can be defined as intersexuals born with biological aspects of both sexes to varying degrees. This leads to the truth that there are more than two sexes.

Fear, hatred and/or intolerance of bisexuals.

The place where GLBTQ people figuratively hide their homosexuality. Often members of the GLBTQ community live outwardly heterosexual lives and may not even admit to themselves their true sexual orientation. Closeted - hiding one's sexual orientation or referring to an individual that is acting "straight".

The process of acknowledging one's homosexuality, either to oneself or to others. [Also known as "Coming Out of the Closet] The process can take years and different GLBTQ people will be at different places in the "coming out" process. The feeling can be liberating for GLBTQ people. Research now shows that the average age for someone "coming out" is 13 years old.

Socially less-acceptable term representing someone who steps out of her or his gender role by dressing in clothing socially assigned to another gender, but are often comfortable with their birth-assigned sex and don't wish to change it. Men or women who cross dress may occasionally or frequently refer to themselves as drag queens or drag kings, respectively.

A label adopted by some African-American men, who seek same sex relations but do not necessarily identify as gay or bisexual.

Derogatory term for lesbians, reclaimed by some members of the lesbian community as a term of pride.

A male who is physically, emotionally, psychologically, and/or spiritually attracted to other men. At times, this term is used to refer to all people, regardless of sex or gender who is homosexual. Lesbians and bisexuals may feel excluded by this term, particularly if the term is being used as an all-inclusive term. "That so gay." - phrase used for something that is stupid or idiotic. Slur implying that all gay people are stupid.

One's psychological sense of self as being male or female (or other gender expression). This is the deeply felt inner sense of being male, female or something in between. Most people develop a core sense of gender identity that aligns with their biological sex, but for some it is different.

A set of socially defined roles and behaviors assigned to females and males. These can vary from culture to culture in society. Often defined in terms of masculinity (assigned traditionally to males) and femininity (traditionally attributed to females). Some people step out of assigned roles and cross gender and sex barriers.

A person who is, or is perceived to have gender characteristics that do not conform to traditional or society expectations.

An action that causes physical, mental or emotional harm to someone simply because they are part of, or thought to be a part of, the GBLTQ (or other diverse) community. Often the result of homophobia, this can also be seen as "gay bashing." Many states have laws that offer stricter criminal penalties for committing hate crimes.

An overt or tacit bias or assumption of superiority in society of heterosexual or heterosexual behavior. It could also be the assumption that all people are heterosexual in society. Often negates the experiences and relationships of anyone that is not heterosexual. Heterosexist - a person that demonstrates heterosexism.

A person who is physically, emotionally, psychologically and/or spiritually attracted to a person of the opposite sex.

Fear or hatred of homosexuality, usually held by some heterosexuals. Understood to be a destructive force that prevents many non-heterosexual people from securing safe, open and equal lives. Internalized Homophobia - GLBTQ people that receive messages from family, friends, media and other sources that suffer an internalized form of this fear, leading to insecurities, depression and other issues.

A term used to describe someone who is physically, emotionally, psychologically and/or spiritually attracted to a person of the same sex. Term is slightly derogatory to use in the context of identifying a group of GLBTQ people.

People born with varying degrees of the biological aspects of both biological males and biological females. Intersexed people have often been "assigned" either a male or female identity at birth, sometimes in ways that do not conform with gender or sexual identity later in life.

A female who is physically, emotionally, psychologically, and/or spiritually attracted to other women.

A term used by people outside the GLBTQ community to describe the manner in which GLBTQ people live their lives. It is often viewed negatively because it trivializes the complexities of many individual experiences and implies that a person's sexual orientation is a choice.

A label for men who engage in sexual activity with other men, regardless of their self-identified sexual orientation.

Revealing another person's sexual orientation, especially if that person is a part of the GLBTQ community. Outing is often done without a person's consent and can be very traumatic, especially if that person has not "come out" to others.

An umbrella term used by some GLBTQ people to refer to anyone whose sexual orientation, gender identity or expression is not considered the "standard" or dominant in society. Traditionally this word has had a negative connotation and was a slur, but the term has been reclaimed by many in the GLBTQ community.

Refers to one's sexual, romantic, physical, emotional, psychological and/or spiritual attraction. It is determined by whom we are sexually (or erotically) attracted to. Sexual orientation is often determined at an early age and many GLBTQ people indicate awareness of their orientation being different than most in society at a very early age.

Derogatory phrase referring to sexual orientation. Implies that there is a choice in a person's fundamental attraction, particularly by people who identify as GLBTQ.

A complicated, multi-step process by which individuals who do not identify with their birth-assigned sex alter their bodies through surgery and/or hormones.

A bar in New York that was the site of one of the first rebellions of the GLBTQ community against repressive police force and homophobia in 1969. Often identified as the birth of the gay rights movement.

The belief that heterosexuality is the only correct way to be and that all other sexualities are harmful, immoral, wrong and threatening to heterosexual privilege. Also used to describe overt behaviors of oppression or discrimination based on such a belief.

Inclusive term to refer to anyone who is transsexual, transgender or intersexed.

An umbrella term for communities whose gender identities transcend conventional definitions of "man" and "woman" in society. Some individuals of this identity consider themselves as part of the queer community, while others do not. Transgender is independent of a person's sexual orientation. A person could be transgender and be straight, bi or gay.

Individuals who do not identify with their birth-assigned sexes and sometimes alter their bodies surgically and/or hormonally. How far a person would like to go in this transition can vary from person to person. It may be dressing in the form of the desired sex or entail sexual reassignment surgery (commonly called a sex change.)

Fear or hatred of trans people, sometimes manifested in violence, harassment and discrimination.

A general term for some Native Americans who were transgendered, highly regarded within a tribe and often given a special status such as a medicine man/woman. Often, they cross dressed and were treated like a person of their opposite sex. Not all Native American tribes held this stance.

Pronouns used in the trans community instead of "he/she" or "her/him". These pronouns offer inclusion and accuracy for someone who doesn't identify by the male/female gender classifications.

Contact Us

If you have any feedback or additions/changes to this list, e-mail them to safezone@wou.edu.

WOU Safe Zone Committee

Western Oregon University

345 N. Monmouth Avenue

Monmouth, OR 97361

(503) 838-8423 TDD

(503) 838-8511 FAX

diehmd@wou.edu