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Counseling Services
Sexual Orientation
Sexual Orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to another person. It is easily distinguished from other components of sexuality including biological sex, gender identity, and the social gender role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine and masculine behavior).
Sexual orientation exists along a continuum that ranges from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality.
Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express their sexual orientation in their behaviors.
Bisexual
A person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the same, as well as the opposite, sex.
Gay
Usually refers to a male who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to other males. May also refer to females who are attracted to other females, as well as the gay community in general.
Lesbian
A female who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to to other females.
Heterosexual
A person who is emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to members of the opposite sex.
Straight
Another term for heterosexual.
Gender Identity
A person's sense of being male or female.
Transgender
Relating to transsexuals, transvestites, cross-dressers, or anyone who tends to blur traditional gender boundaries.
Transsexual
A person who strongly identifies with the opposite gender, usually includes a desire to actually be the opposite sex. Most often refers to a person who has had a sex change operation.
Transvestite
Someone who derives sexual pleasure from dressing in clothing generally identified with the opposite sex. While the terms gay and transvestite have been used synonymously, they are in fact two different terms. The majority of transvestites are heterosexuals. Crossdressing that does not include any sexual charge is usually referred to as DRAG.
LGBT
A common abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (e.g. "lgbt community").
Queer
Originally a derogatory label used to refer to lesbian and gay people or to intimidate and offend heterosexuals. More recently this term has been reclaimed by some lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and transgendered people as an inclusive and positive way to identify all people targeted by heterosexism and homophobia. Some lesbians and gay men have similarly reclaimed previously negative words such as "dyke" and "faggot" for positive self-reference.
Ally
Someone who confronts heterosexism, homophobia, and heterosexual privilege in themselves and others out of self-interest, a concern for the well-being of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people and a belief that heterosexism is a social justice issue.
Heterosexual Privilege
Those benefits derived automatically by being heterosexual that are denied to LGBT people. Also, the benefits LGBT people receive as a result of claiming heterosexual identity or denying LGBT identity.
Heterosexism
Sexual orientation prejudice, combined with the majority power to impose such prejudice. Usually used to the advantage of the group in power. Any attitude, action, or practice - backed by an institutional power - which subordinates people because of their sexual orientation. The assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexuality is superior to homosexuality or bisexuality.
Homophobia
The irrational fear of LGBT people, or any behavior, belief, or attitude believed believed to indicate LGBT status or tolerance of LGBT people. In extreme cases, behavior includes violence.
Hate Crime
Assault, rape, arson and murder are crimes under any circumstance, but when the victim of a crime is chosen simply because of her or his affiliation with a minority group, the FBI considers the crime a "hate crime." In some states, hate crimes carry an additional penalty beyond the standard penalty for assault, murder, etc.
Institutional Oppression
Arrangements of a society used to benefit one group at the expense of another through the use of language, media, education, religion, economics, etc.
Internalized Oppression
The process by which a member of an oppressed group comes to accept and live out the inaccurate stereotypes applied to the oppressed group.
In the Closet
May refer to an LGBT person who has not yet accepted their own sexuality (to be "in the closet" to one's self). Also may refer to one who chooses not to share their sexuality with friends, co-workers, or society (to be "in the closet" with respect to others). Because of repressive laws, discrimination in employment and housing, violence and harassment, and other kinds of oppression and abuse, many LGBT people elect to closet themselves at some point in their lives or with some groups of people all their lives.
Coming Out
Referring to the process by which one accepts one's own sexual orientation (to "come out" to one's self). Also referring to the process by which one shares one's sexuality with others (to "come out" to friends, etc.). This process is a continual, life long process for LGBT individuals.
Outing
The act of telling others that a person is lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgendered without that person's permission.
Stonewall
On June 28, 1969, New York City police attempted a routine raid on the Stonewall Inn, a working-class LGBT bar in Greenwich Village. Unexpectedly, the patrons resisted, and the incident escalated into a riot that continued for several days. Most people look to this event as the beginning of the American Gay Liberation movement and all subsequent LGBT movements.
Gay Pride
This is a common name for celebrations commemorating the Stonewall riots. In most cities Gay Pride is held in June. Activities usually include a parade, booths, speakers, workshops, picnics, and musical entertainment.
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