Identities
There are many different identities on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. Each faces unique struggles, and each identity is multifaceted and deserves to be treated with respect. This section will help you understand each identity and the issues they face.
Gay/Lesbian
Gay and lesbian people are attracted to others of their same or similar gender. Though gay commonly refers to men, it can be used by people of any gender, but lesbian is an identity reserved for women and feminine-identified individiuals.
Multi
People with multi-gender attractions fall under a number of umbrellas. Bisexual or biromantic people are attracted to two or more genders, but not necessarily all genders. Pansexual or panromantic people are attracted to all genders, or may not factor gender into their attractions. Polysexual or polyromantic people are attracted to two or more genders, but usually not all genders (this is different from polyamory, which refers to being attracted to and in relationships with multiple people at once).
Transgender
Transgender refers to individuals who identify as a gender other than the gender/sex they were assigned at birth. Gender, sex, and sexual/romantic orientation are all different from one another. Transgender people can be any sexual/romantic orientation, and any gender.
Nonbinary
Nonbinary individuals have genders that fall outside the male/female binary, and are considered under the transgender umbrella. This includes individuals whose identities are only partly male or female, or go between the two, as well as those completely different from male or female, or those with no gender at all!
Aro/Ace
The aro/ace or asexual/aromantic spectrum refers to a multitude of sexual identities. Asexual people do not experience sexual attraction; demisexual people only experience sexual attraction after forming strong emotional connections; and graysexual people have very limited experiences with sexual attraction, or may be unsure in their sexual identity. However, any of the above can experience romantic attraction. On the flipside, aromantic people do not experience romantic attraction; demiromantic people only experience romantic attraction after a strong emotional connection has been formed; and greyromantic people have very limited experiences with romantic attraction, or may be unsure in their romantic identity. However, aromantic, demiromantic, and greyromantic people may still experience sexual attraction.
Intersex
Intersex refers to people whose reproductive or sexual anatomy does not match society's definitions of "normal" reproductive or sexual anatomy that can easily be classed as "male" or "female" based on society's rules. Many intersex people are unaware of their intersex status, and yet others have been medically mistreated in an attempt to "normalize" them.