Since terminology is so fluid and identity labels mean different things to different people, this list simply aims to serve as a resource and guide. By no means can every definition perfectly describe every individual’s experience with an identity.

A medical label used to categorize people according to their chromosomes, hormones, genitalia and secondary sex characteristics (breasts, body hair, etc.). Usually assigned at birth as “male” or “female” by a doctor, though there are many variations outside of that socially-constructed binary (i.e. intersex).

Term used to describe an individual whose assigned biological sex aligns with their expected binary gender identity. Considered to be opposite of “transgender.” Example: A person whose sex assigned at birth is “female” and identifies their gender as girl or woman.

An identity label used to describe a person whose gender identity does not align with the socially expected one according to their sex assigned at birth. Often used as an umbrella term to include people who transgress gender norms, including cross dressers, genderqueer people, trans women, trans men, bigender or polygender people, etc.

An umbrella identity term used by people who do not conform to norms of heterosexuality and/or the gender binary. A reclaimed slur, often used with a political connotation.

An identity label sometimes claimed by people who do not experience sexual attraction. This differs from celibacy or abstinence, which are behaviors. Often used as an umbrella term to encompass identities such as aromantic, demisexual, grey-A, heteroromantic, homoromantic, etc.

An identity label sometimes claimed by people who experience sexual attraction across the spectrums of gender identity, biological sex and sexual orientation.

An identity label sometimes claimed by woman-identified people who form their primary romantic and sexual relationships with other woman-identified people.

An identity label sometimes claimed by people who are sexually attracted to two (or more) sexes or genders, not necessarily equally or simultaneously.

An identity label sometimes claimed by man-identified people who form their primary romantic and sexual relationships with other man-identified people.