I'm so proud to see the ways in which colleagues from the LGBT+ Network supports all of the College community in being a community where everyone is invited to belong.

Staff member at 2023 Provost's Garden Pride Celebration

Trinity LGBT+ Staff Network

Welcome from the Trinity LGBT+ Staff Network!

The purpose of the Network is to be a collaborative and empowering community for LGBTQIA+ staff of Trinity College Dublin which acts as an active and bold leader in creating, fostering, and representing an inclusive university experience for LGBTQIA+ people.

You can learn more about our Network and how LGBTQIA+ staff members can get involved and thrive at the university.

If you've any questions or would like to get in touch, you can reach us confidentially at LGBTStaff@tcd.ie

What does an LGBT+ Staff Network Do?

The Trinity LGBT+ Staff Network is an independent, member-led group which aims to represent LGBTQIA+ staff at the university and contribute to making Trinity a boldly and radically inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ people.

We aim to operate differently from the many other committees at Trinity. We are a non-hierarchical and dynamic group which aims to reflect the diversity of the staff at the university and embed an LGBTQIA+ inclusive perspective into everything that we do. Our activities are decided on and driven by our members and include a range of activities from professional, research-focused, social, and personal development. This includes regular monthly social events, research presentations, training, workshops, film screenings, performance events and more. A key part of our work is actively contributing to and engaging with Trinity policies and practice that affect LGBTQIA+ people.

The Network is always aiming to expand and develop - if there's something you'd like to see us contribute to (or an event you'd like to organise yourself!) just let us know.

Colourful illustration of the front buildings of Trinity, rendered in rainbow colours with an artistic split across the diagonal of the building showing the rooms and people inside

Who can become a member and how?

Any employee of Trinity College Dublin is invited and encouraged to become a member of the LGBT+ Staff Network. We take a broad view of who is a staff member, and for the avoidance of doubt this includes all professional, academic, technical, and support staff, post-doctoral researchers, adjunct staff, and staff on part-time and occasional contracts.

We encourage a self-determination perspective for members – if you feel an LGBT+ staff network and our activities are for you, then you are welcome. We also invite staff who do not identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ experience to join (e.g. straight and/or cisgender staff). Our activities are primarily focused on creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ people and the support and integration with other colleagues is an important part of that.

You can join the Network by using this link, by emailing lgbtstaff@tcd.ie, or by speaking at a committee member at one of our events.

Why is it needed?

The experiences of LGBTQIA+ people are diverse, rich, and complex. While we share some common experiences, each individual has a different and distinct understanding of their own life, and how it overlaps with their sexuality and gender identity. We also share a range of connections with our colleagues in the wider university community, professionally and personally.

A network supports the active inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals in the university in a range of ways:

Providing an opportunity for differing individuals to come together and learn from each other
Gives new (or newly interested) LGBTQIA+ staff a starting point for engaging with LGBTQIA+ culture and community
Gives staff who are not part of the LGBTQIA+ community a structured way to engage and support their colleagues
Combining our personal and professional expertise to ensure that LGBTQIA+ themes are not only part of equality-related conversations, but also interwoven into discussions about research, policy, community engagement, and more
Giving a mechanism for us to speak with a collective voice, raise and address issues, and both support and ensure the University continues to create an actively inclusive workplace culture for everyone

About and History

The LGBT+ Staff Network was formally established in 2015.

With support from the Equality Office, the Director of Diversity & Inclusion and Human Resources, a number of successful initial meetings and events were organised including an Éigse Thuar Ceatha / Trinity Rainbow Celebration, organised by the Irish Language Office and initial proposers of the network in collaboration with An Cumann Gaelach and Q Soc – Trinity LGBT, and an event celebrating the anniversary of the same-sex marriage referendum.

We consider the Network to take inspiration from the rich history of the LGBTQIA+ civil rights movement in Ireland. The first formalised gay rights organisation, the Sexual Liberation Movement, was formed following a meeting in House 5 on Trinity campus. We’re proud of the connection which Trinity has had to this over the years, which evolved into the Trinity Gay Soc (the first version of what is now Trinity’s student Q Soc). Over the years, Trinity’s LGBT society also includes many staff members, and was first recognised by Trinity in 1983, ten years before the formal decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993.

In 2015, the LGBT+ Staff Network became the first EDI representative group for staff at Trinity, and one of the earlier groups of this kind in the country, inheriting the legacy of staff representation.

Since then, the Network has grown to be one of the largest and most active staff representation groups at Trinity and across the higher education sector. Our volunteer committee organise a range of activities each year including a monthly social, a ‘Pride in Research’ academic symposium, and Pride Month celebrations including a Pride Celebration in the Provost’s Garden for Network members and guests. We also work on a number of projects to contribute to the LGBTQ+ experience at Trinity, including engaging with the College on policy and best practice, supporting external LGBTQ+ organisations in working with Trinity, promoting the queer history of the university, and more.

Select LGBT+ Staff Network Activities to date

Established by staff as the first staff affinity group at Trinity (2015) See: University Times article and follow-up
Key contribution to Trinity's success at receiving the 2016 Gay and Lesbian Equality Network Awards for Best Public Sector Employer and 5th place overall for LGBT Equality. See: University Times article
Contributed to the development and implementation of the 2016 Gender Identity and Gender Expression Policy, the first of its kind in Ireland (2016) and it's continued development
First formal proposal to the Trinity Board to fly the Pride flag to recognise Trinity's LGBTQIA+ staff (2017)
Co-developed the 1st LGBTQIA+ focused student careers fair (2019)
With the support of the Provost, launched the inaugural Trinity Pride Celebration in the Provost's Garden (2022)
Celebrated 50 years since the establishment of the Sexual Liberation Movement (2023)
Led on the establishment of the first national Network of LGBT+ Staff Networks with colleagues across higher education on the island of Ireland (2023)

How doe the network operate?

Our Terms of Reference outlines our basic principles, responsibilities, and operating structure. Some key aspects include:

At the most essential level, we are here to provide a welcoming environment where you can be yourself and spend time with colleagues who understand your experiences. We take our responsibility to be confidential and inclusive seriously – our membership list is held securely by Network committee organisers only and we take all reasonable measures to ensure our activities and events are accessible for members of all levels of comfort and familiarity with LGBTQIA+ gatherings.

The Network exists wherever its members are, and we recognise that this is evolving and shifting over time.
To enable our activities, the Network uses an organising committee which is elected by the members. You can find out more about them here
The Network is an independent representative organisation which is recognised by Trinity College Dublin. We are listed in the College Calendar here
If an event is aimed at a specific section of the community, or is only open to LGBTQIA+ staff, this will be noted.

Partnerships

We collaborate with and advise staff and departments across Trinity on the how best to support LGBTQIA+ staff
We are supported by and collaborate regularly with Trinity's EDI Office
We are a founding member of the National Network of LGBTQIA+ Staff Networks
We are a member of Trans Equality Together (TET)
Some of our members are also part of the Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI)

Our Activities

The Network organises a range of activities about and for LGBTQIA+ people throughout the year. We aim to include a variety such as social, professional development, research, and advocacy focused. Some of these include:

Monthly Evening Social - Join us at 5:30 PM on the last Thursday of each month for a social drink (of your choice) at a local LGBTQIA+ venue. We invite all our members, partners, friends and the networks from neighbouring higher education institutions. You'll get a reminder from us and you can meet us at the Campanile in Front Square beforehand if you'd like

Monthly Daytime Social - Join us at 11:00 AM on the second Thursday of each month for a morning break - grab your coffee or tea and catch up with your colleagues

Regular Newsletter - We circulate updates by email to our members on any activities at Trinity or beyond that will be of interest

Pride in Research - One of our flagship events, Pride in Research is an annual symposium by, for, and about queer research and researchers. An all-island event, we invite submissions from all stages from undergraduate to senior researcher for a day of learning

Pride at Trinity - We help coordinate Trinity's collaborative Pride celebrations which include flying the Pride flag over Front Square, the annual parade attendance, a queer history tour of campus, social events, talks, and more, culminating in...

Provost's Pride Celebration - Our annual gala event held in the Provost's Garden in Front Square, this is our opportunity to recognise our community and affirm Trinity's fundamental support for LGBTQIA_ rights

Trans and Intersex Pride - We coordinate attendance at the annual Trans and Intersex Pride March in July, in solidarity with our trans and non-binary community members who need and deserve our unreserved support

Find out more - by checking out the local News section for updates from the Network, follow us on Instagram, and see our photo galleries!

What are your priorities and how can I get involved?

Priorities

The Network's operating priorities are determined by its members and driven by our organising committee. In 2025 these include:

A review and expansion of our communications strategy
A formalisation of our collaborations at Trinity
A revised and expanded Terms of Reference modernising our principles of engagement
Expanded online presence
Establishing new partnerships with key areas
Continuing to advocate for our members and the community we support, in particular those experiencing significant marginalisation such as trans and non-binary people, people with disabilities, and racial/ethnic minorities

How can I get involved?

If you want to be part of what we're doing, there's a few different ways you can engage

Email us! Let us know you're interested in your work and meet one of the committee for a coffee
Have a question that could benefit from discussing confidentially with another LGBTQIA+ staff member? Let us know. If you're not sure where to go for something on campus, we can advise
We provide rainbow lanyards to staff on request so they can demonstrate support for the community
Join the committee! We always need more help. No specific experience is required, only an interest in advancing our work. We particularly encourage expressions of interest from people with experience underrepresented on our current committee

External Resources

This section outlines some further and external resources which may be of interest. These resources are independent and have not been prepared by the LGBT+ Staff Network, we recommend you review them at your own discretion.

The EDI Website includes extensive information to support staff regarding the different equality areas, in particular the Sexual Orientation and Gender sections

External Organisations

Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)
BeLonGTo Youth Services
Shout Out! (supporting LGBT students in secondary schools), training also available
The Asexual Visibility and Education Network
Intersex Society of North America
LGBT Helpline (1890 929 539)
Intersectional / specialist organisations
Greenbow (Deaf LGBT Society of Ireland)
Traveller Pride (for LGBT+ Travellers and Roma)
LINC advocating for lesbian and bisexual women in Ireland
PATHI: The Professional Association for Trans Health Ireland (PATHI) is an all-island multidisciplinary organisation representing, supporting, and connecting those working to strengthen the health, rights, and wellbeing of all trans and gender diverse people across Ireland.
https://teni.ie/resources/sports/ - tracker and resources
https://www.transhealthcare.ie/vision resources
https://www.tgeu.org/
List of LGBT religious and spiritual organisations
Trans Healthcare Action Ireland
Trans* Research Association of Ireland (TRAI) The Trans* Research Association of Ireland (TRAI) is a new research network supported by the UCD College of Arts and Humanities and School of English, Drama and Film and is open to all trans* researchers working in Ireland, and all researchers working on and with Irish transness.
Small Trans Library The Small Trans Library is a small lending library of trans-authored books for trans people, with branches in Dublin and Glasgow.
The Irish Queer Archive The Irish Queer Archive (Cartlann Aiteach na hÉireann) contains the most comprehensive collection of material in Ireland relating to homosexuality in particular, and lesbian/gay, bisexual and transgender studies in general.
The GCN Archive The GCN Archive aims to digitally preserve and capture the pages of Ireland’s national LGBTQ+ press, forming a rich and invaluable resource to explore our community’s history
Stonewall (UK)
LGBT Ireland National Helpline - 1800 929 539
BeLonGTo LGBTQ Young People - 01 670 6223 (we are open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm)Text LGBTI+ to 086 1800 280 anytime when you need support.
TENI Transgender Equality Network Ireland - 01 873 3575
Gender Identity Family Support Line - 01 907 3707
FLAC LGBTQI+ Legal Clinic Free Legal Advice Centres is committed to providing a welcome and confidential environment for LGBTQI+ people seeking legal advice. Building on previous initiatives, FLAC has established a pilot (opens in a new window)LGBTQI+ free legal clinic in order to meet the specific needs of the gay and trans community.
All Out the global movement for love and equality
Know your Queer History (YouTube series)
ListenIn (podcast)
Sporting Pride a non-profit LGBTQ+ community organisation that focuses on developing inclusivity in sport, and sports clubs within the whole Irish community
MPower Sex Party First Aid
SH24 is a free online sexual health service, delivered in partnership with the HSE in Ireland and with the NHS in the UK. SH:24 has been delivering services in Ireland since 2021
GenderEd.ie the information resource for families of gender variant children and transgender young people in the Republic of Ireland
Trans Harm Reduction
Amach Le Dia supports LGBTQIA+ people of Christian faith
https://www.lgbtqtraveltool.com/

Acaults	A slang term in Burmese referring to individuals assigned the sex of male at birth who assume the dress and social roles of women.
Agender	A term describing people who do not identify with any gender. This term may also encompass people who experience a lack of gender and people whose gender is neutral. Agender people have a range of sexual orientations, gender expressions and sex characteristics.
Akava’Ine	A Māori term from the Cook Islands used to describe transgender or transsexual women.
Allies	Persons that seek to advance the social and legal equality of those with differing identities, sexualities and experiences. This can include intra-queer (see queer as below) allyship and inter-queer allyship. Intra-queer allyship refers to cisgender (see cis below) and straight allies advocating for LGBTQ+ people. Inter-queer allyship refers to individuals of the LGBTQ+ community advocating for those in the community with sexualities/identities that differ from the individual's personal sexuality/identity. For example, cisgender gay men advocating for the rights of trans women and lesbian women advocating for the rights of bisexual men, so on, so forth. People who identify as cisgender (see cis below) and straight, and believe in social and legal equality for LGBTQ+ people.
Androgyne	Identifying and/or presenting as having both masculine and feminine qualities.
Androgynous	Identifying and/or presenting as neither distinguishably masculine nor feminine.
Asexual	Asexual is an umbrella term for those that tend to not have any innate desire or interest in entering into sexual relationships with other people. Sometimes referred to as 'Ace', this identity solely concerns an individual's sexual identity (as on the scale of asexual-sexual) and is separate and typically unrelated to romantic relationships. Asexual persons may develop romantic relationships including: homoromantic, heteroromantic, biromantic and panromantic.
Assigned Sex At Birth	The sex that is assigned to a person at birth, typically based on the infant’s external anatomy; also referred to as birth sex or natal sex. The phrases “assigned female at birth” (AFAB) and “assigned male at birth” (AMAB) refer to people with typical male or female sex characteristics, regardless of their gender identity or gender expression. The phrase “coercively assigned female [male] at birth” (CAFAB and CAMAB) refer to intersex people assigned a binary sex, often via non-consensual surgeries.
Bakla	A Filipino Tagalog term encompassing an array of sexual and gender identities, but particularly referring to a person assigned the sex of male at birth who assumes the dress, mannerisms and social roles of a woman.
Bi/Bisexual	A person who has the capacity for romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction to people of more than one gender. Bisexual+ and Bi+ are sometimes also used as umbrella terms for non-monosexual identities.
Biphobia	Prejudice, fear or hatred directed toward bisexual people.
Burrnesha	Specific to northern Albania, this term describes individuals assigned the sex of female at birth who take on or are assigned a male gender identity and take a sworn vow of celibacy. The practice is also referred to as vajzë e betuar, when parents assign a child’s gender at birth or in early childhood.
Calabai/Calalai/Bissu	The Bugi people of southern Sulawesi, Indonesia recognize three sexes (male, female, intersex) and five genders (men, women, calabai, calalai and bissu). Calabai are assigned male at birth and embody a femi- nine gender identity. Calalai are assigned female at birth and embody a male gender identity. Bissu are considered a “transcendent gender,” either encompassing all genders or none. Bissu serve ritual roles in Bugi culture and are sometimes equated with priests.
Cisgender	A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with that typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
Cissexism/Cisnormativity	Viewing cisgender people as superior; assuming all people are cisgender.
Civil Union	Formal recognition of committed relationships involving individuals not legally considered to be of the same sex. In some countries, civil unions confer many, but not all, of the same rights, benefits and privileges as different-sex marriages, including in relation to taxes, social security benefits, estate planning and medical decisions. Note that while most jurisdictions still use the terms “same-sex,” “opposite-sex” and “different-sex,” the UN defines sexual orientation in relation to gender attraction.
Closeted	Describes an LGBTQ person who has not disclosed their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Coming Out	This is the process of revealing your sexual orientation and/or gender identity to individuals in your life; often incorrectly thought to be a one-time event, this is a lifelong and sometimes daily process.
Crossdresser	A person who wears clothing, accessories, jewellery or make-up not traditionally or stereotypically associated with their assigned sex. People who cross-dress do not necessarily identify as transgender. An individual may prefer the term transvestite.
Dee/Tom	Used in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, these terms describe women with feminine gender ex- pression (dees) and masculine gender expression (toms) who are attracted to other women.
Discrimination	Discrimination means making a distinction in favour of, or against, a person based on the group, class, or category to which a person belongs.
Drag	Exaggerated, theatrical and/or performative gender presentation. Drag performers may use makeup, props, clothing and mannerisms to present a caricature of gender. Typically, drag performers portray a gender different from their own (e.g., a non-binary person dressing up in masculine “drag” and performing as a “drag king,” or a man dressing up in feminine “drag” and performing as a “drag queen”). Drag perfor- mance may incorporate elements from high art, fashion, pageantry, comedy and more. While drag culture is closely associated with LGBTIQ+ communities, drag performers do not necessarily have diverse sexual or gender identities
Drag Queen / King	A person who performs, dresses or presents in a stereotypically feminine or masculine role – sometimes for entertainment purposes.
Endosex	A term describing a person who was born with sex characteristics that fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies. An endosex person may identify with any gender identity or sexual orientation.
Fa’Afafine	A third-gender people of Samoa and the Samoan diaspora similar in meaning to fakaleitī and māhū.
Fakaleitī	A Tongan individual assigned male at birth who has a feminine gender expression. This term is similar in meaning to the terms fa’afafine and māhū.
Gay	This term refers to someone who is attracted to people of the same gender. It is mainly used to describe men but can also be used to describe women.
Gender	This term refers to expectations and stereotypes about behaviours, actions and roles linked to being a “man” or “woman.” Social norms related to gender vary across cultures and can shift over time.
Gender Binary	This term refers to the predominant social system whereby people are thought to be one of two genders: male or female. This system is restrictive for many people who feel that their natal sex (sex they were labelled with at birth) does not match up with their gender or that their gender is fluid and not fixed. Gender binaries are thought to be exhaustive and mutually exclusive.
Gender Confirmation/Affirming Treatment	Gender confirmation, or gender affirming, treatment refers to medical interventions that may be part of transition. Not all people choose or can afford medical interventions such as hormone therapy or surgery. The terms “pre-operative” (or pre-op) or “post-operative” (or post-op) should be avoided because they can imply that transgender people who don’t undergo medical transition are less valid. The terms “sex reassignment surgery” and “sex change operation” are outdated and should be avoided.
Gender Diversity	The equitable representation of people of different genders, including cisgender and transgender men and women, other transgender people, non-binary people, and other people with diverse gender identities.
Gender Dysphoria	A diagnosis contained in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) referring to a feeling of disconnect between one’s sex characteristics and gender identity. This term replaced “gender identity disorder” but is controversial as it classifies diverse gender identity as a medical condition. Many transgender people, organizations and the UN have called for the reform of medical classifications to depathologize diverse gender identities. The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer considers diverse gender identity a mental illness and uses gender incongruence in its International Classification of Diseases (ICD11), effective January 2022, defined as characterized by a marked and persistent incongruence between an individual’s experienced gender and assigned sex.
Gender Equality	The equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of all individuals regardless of gender. Equality does not mean that all individuals are the same, but that rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on one’s sex assigned at birth, physical sex characteristics, gender assigned by society, gender identity or gender expression. Gender equality also implies that the interests, needs and priorities of all individuals should be taken into consideration. Equality between people of all genders, including cisgender and transgender men and women, other transgender people, non-binary people, and people with other diverse gender identities, is seen both as a human rights issue and a precondition for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centered development. When gender inequality exists, it is typically cisgender and transgender women, other transgender people, non-binary people and people with other diverse gender identities who are excluded or disadvantaged in relation to decision-making and access to social and economic resources.
Gender Equity	The process of being fair to individuals of all genders, including cisgender and transgender men and women, other transgender people, non-binary people, and people with other gender identities. Achieving gender equity may involve the use of temporary special measures to compensate for the historical and
Gender Expression	Individuals use a range of cues, such as names, pronouns, behaviour, clothing, voice, mannerisms and/or bodily characteristics, to interpret other individuals’ genders. Gender expression is not necessarily an accurate reflection of gender identity. People with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics do not necessarily have a diverse gender expression. Likewise, people who do not have a diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics may have a diverse gender expression.
Gender Identity	Each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with their sex assigned at birth or the gender attributed to them by society. It includes the personal sense of the body, which may or may not involve a desire for modification of appearance or function of the body by medical, surgical or other means.
Gender Identity	One’s innermost identification as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
Gender Mainstreaming	A strategy for assessing the gendered implications of any planned action, including policies, programming or legislation, and for ensuring gender concerns and experiences are an integral consideration in the design, formulation, implementation, analysis and monitoring of planned actions.
Gender Non-Conforming	A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.
Gender Norms	Gender norms define what society considers male and female behaviour, and it leads to the formation of gender roles, which are the roles males and females are often expected to take in society.
Gender Recognition Certificate	A certificate issued under the Gender Recognition Act 2015 which enables trans people’s preferred gender to be legally recognised from age sixteen.
Gender Role	A set of societal norms dictating what types of behaviors are generally considered acceptable, appropriate or desirable for a person based on their actual sex or perceived sex or gender.
Gender Transition	The process by which some people strive to more closely align their internal knowledge of gender with its outward appearance. Some people socially transition, whereby they might begin dressing, using names and pronouns and/or be socially recognized as another gender. Others undergo physical transitions in which they modify their bodies through medical interventions.
Gender/Sex Affirmation Surgery	Also called gender confirmation surgery or gender reassignment surgery, refers to surgical interventions undertaken by some people as part of the transitioning process. It is a process that is undertaken under medical supervision for the purpose of reaffirmation of a person’s sex by changing physiological or other characteristics of sex. Surgical interventions are not a necessity for the transition process.
Gender-Based Violence (Gbv)	Any act of violence targeting an individual on the basis of their gender. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, the threats of such acts, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. GBV encompasses violence against people based on their sexual and gender identities because diverse experiences is often perceived as a transgression of gender norms.
Gender-Expansive	Conveys a wider, more flexible range of gender identity and/or expression than typically associated with the binary gender system.
Genderfluid	An adjective describing someone whose gender is not fixed over time.
Genderqueer	Genderqueer people typically reject notions of static categories of gender and embrace a fluidity of gender identity and often, though not always, sexual orientation. People who identify as “genderqueer” may see themselves as being both male and female, neither male nor female or as falling completely outside these categories.
Guevedoche	A term used in the Dominican Republic to refer to some individuals who are intersex and do not identify as men or women.
Hamjensgara	A term used in Iran by men whose primary attraction is to other men. This term is used instead of “gay” by Iranian men who do not want to be perceived as western LGBTIQ+ activists. The term emphasizes a way to belong to traditional Iranian family structures.
Hate Crimes	Acts that constitute an offense under criminal law and are motivated by bias or prejudice towards particular groups of people. Hate crimes can include threats, property damage, assault and murder.
Heteronormativity	Refers to heterosexual identities being considered the norm and the exclusion of any other sexual orientation or gender identity. One way that it is demonstrated is by the lack of representation of LGBTQ+ people and relationships in the media.
Heterosexual (Also “Straight”)	A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to people of a different gender.
Hijra	A broad term used in South Asia, and particularly in India, which sometimes refers to individuals who do not identify as men or women and in other contexts to refer to women who were assigned the sex of male at birth. Also referred to as khawaja sara and zenana in Pakistan and northern India.
Homo-, Bi-, Trans- And Intersexphobia	Fear of gay or lesbian people, bisexual people, transgender people or intersex people, respectively, which may manifest in exclusionary behavior, stigma, harassment, discrimination and/or violence. Considered outdated and inaccurate by some who prefer terms ending in “-misia.”
Homonormativity	The assumption that the norms and values of heterosexuality should be replicated and performed amongst homosexual people. Homonormativity selectively privileges cisgendered homosexuality that is coupled and monogamous as worthy of social acceptance.
Homophobia	The fear and hatred of or discomfort with people who are attracted to members of the same sex.
Homophobia / Transphobia & Biphobia	Homophobia encompasses a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian and/or gay. Biphobia describes negative attitudes towards bisexual people. Transphobia relates to prejudice directed specifically at those who don’t adhere to gender norms and people who are trans.
Homosexual	A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to people of the same gender. Note that, in English, homosexual may be considered an outdated clinical term that should be avoided, and gay and lesbian may be preferred. The term remains acceptable in many non-English-speaking contexts.
Intersex	Intersex refers to a number of different variations in a person’s sex characteristics that do not match strict medical definitions of male or female. These characteristics may be chromosomal, hormonal and/or anatomical and may be present to differing degrees. The most thorough existing research finds intersex people to constitute an estimated 1.7% of the population, which makes being intersex about as common as having red hair. Intersex people are typically coercively assigned as male or female at birth. Some intersex people identify with their assigned sex, while others do not. Some choose to identify as intersex. Intersex people, like the general population, may or may not identity as trans. Trans people undergoing transition are not considered to have an intersex condition as a result of their transition.
Khanith	A term from Oman denoting a person assigned the sex of male at birth who has a feminine gender expres- sion. Traditionally a derogatory and/or inaccurate term, it has been reclaimed by some individuals.
Kuchu	A slang term for “gay” in Uganda that was traditionally negative but has been reclaimed by some people.
Lesbian	A woman whose enduring romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to women.
LGBTQIA+	An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual. The plus sign represents people with diverse characteristics who identify using other terms. In some contexts, LGB, LGBT or LGBTI are used to refer to particular populations. In many locations, the letter order varies, e.g., LGBTQI+ or GBLTQI+. Acronyms are not static and continue to evolve over time. To ensure inclusivity and accuracy, they should be applied with careful consideration to the individuals or populations being referenced.
Māhū	A term meaning “in the middle.” In Kanaka Maoli (Hawaiian), Māori (New Zealand), Ma’ohi (Tahitian) and other French Polynesian cultures, it describes third gender people with traditional spiritual and social roles within the culture, similar to Tongan fakaleiti and Samoan fa'afafine.
Masculinity/Femininity	Possession of the qualities associated with men and women in a particular society at a particular time.
Mashoga	A Kenyan Swahili term connoting a range of gender identities. While often used for gay men, many people described as mashoga are assigned male at birth and have a feminine or non-binary gender expression.
Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)	A term used to refer broadly to people assigned the sex of male who engage in sexual activity with others assigned the sex of male, regardless of how they personally identify. This category includes cisgender men who have sex with transgender women or with nonbinary people assigned the sex of male, and vice versa. It does not include transgender men who have sex with cisgender men or transgender women.
Metis	In Nepal, a person assigned the sex of male at birth who has a feminine gender identity and/or expression.
Mithli	The shortened form of mithli al-jins; the English transliteration of an Arabic term used to describe a person whose primary attraction is to someone of the same gender. It is considered a non-derogatory term.
Motsoalle	A Basotho term from Lesotho describing a woman in a socially acceptable long-term relationship with a woman, which may include physical intimacy and occur alongside each person’s heterosexual partnership.
MTF/FTM	Some transgender women may refer to themselves as M to F or MTF (male-to-female) transgender. Some transgender men may refer to themselves as F to M or FTM (female-to-male) transgender. These terms may be considered controversial due to their focus on transgender people’s sex assigned at birth and their inherent exclusion of non-binary and other diverse gender identities.
Muxe	Among the Zapotec of the Oaxacan peninsula in Mexico, the term muxe has traditionally described individ- uals assigned the sex of male at birth who have a feminine gender expression. In recent decades, the term has also been used to apply to gay men.
Non Binary	Non-binary is an umbrella term for gender identities that fall outside the gender binary of male or female. This includes individuals whose gender identity is neither exclusively male nor female, a combination of male and female or between or beyond genders. Similar to the usage of transgender, people under the non-binary umbrella may describe themselves using one or more of a wide variety of terms e.g. gender fluid, bigender and gender neutral. The term is not a synonym for trans and should only be used if someone self-identifies as non-binary and/or genderqueer.
Outed/Public Outing	A person’s SOGIESC being made public without their consent or knowledge, often for malicious purposes.
Outing	Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations.
Pansexual	A person who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to all sexes and gender identities.
Passing	Perceived as cisgender or heterosexual (also called straight-passing) by others. People who “pass” are less exposed to violence and discrimination but typically must keep their diverse gender identity or sexual orientation concealed to maintain a level of safety. “Passing” is not a goal for all people with diverse sexual and gender identities and is not attainable for many due to circumstantial, familial, medical, physiological, and financial barriers.
Personal Pronouns	Pronouns are words we use to talk about ourselves (“I”), to someone (“you”) or about other people (“she,” “he,” “they,” etc.) In English, “he” and “she,” called third-person pronouns, are gendered, while singular “they” is gender-neutral. In other languages, such as Arabic and Korana, second-person pronouns (“you”) and first-person pronouns (“I”) may also be gendered. Some languages don’t require pronouns to indicate gender or have a gender-neutral option, including Japanese, Swahili, Swedish and Turkish. Sweden has added the gender-neutral pronoun “hen” to their language to complement “han” (he) and “hon” (she). Other languages don’t mark gender at all, including Armenian, Finnish, Hungarian, Persian and Yoruba.
Prejudice	Prejudice is defined as a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience.
Pride	Pride is a annual protest/parade in celebration of LGBTQ+ identities held around the world. It also refers to a sense of satisfaction and admiration for one's LGBTQ+ identity. In Ireland, most large cities and towns have their own Pride Festival. The largest Pride in Ireland take place in Dublin.
Queer	Traditionally a negative term, queer has been reclaimed by some people and is considered inclusive of a wide range of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. It may be used as an umbrella term for people with diverse sexual or gender idenities, or as an alternative to the similar phrases such as LGBT. SOGIESC” or the acronym LGBT. Queer has historically negative connotations and can be met with controversy within the LGBTQ+ community, however it has grown in common usage and mainstreaming within the past 15 years. It should only ever be used as an adjective, not a noun. E.G., Dean is a queer person, not Dean is a queer.
Questioning	A term used to describe people who are in the process of exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Rainbow	The rainbow has been used to symbolically represent the LGBTQ+ community since 1978, typically in flag form, after its creation by Gilbert Baker. The varying colours in the flag represent the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and each colour also has its own meaning. Red corresponds to life, orange means healing, yellow represents sunlight, green means nature, indigo stands for serenity and violet represents spirit.
Sex	The designation of a person at birth as male or female usually based on their anatomy or biology.
Sex Characteristics	Each person’s physical features relating to sex, including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, genitals and secondary physical features emerging from puberty.
Sexual Behavior	What we do sexually, and with whom; not always an accurate indicator of sexual orientation.
Sexual Orientation	Each person’s enduring capacity for profound romantic, emotional and/or physical feelings for, or attraction to, other people. Encompasses hetero-, homo-, bi-, pan- and asexuality, as well as a wide range of other expressions of sexual orientation. This term is preferred over sexual preference, sexual behavior, lifestyle and way of life when describing an individual’s feelings for or attraction to other people.
Sexual Preference	Indicates a greater liking for particular characteristics over others in relation to an individual’s romantic, emotional and/or physical feelings for, or attraction, to other people. For instance, this can be for tall, short, dark-haired, brown-eyed or other traits of a partner.
Sexual Racism	A specific form of racial prejudice enacted in the context of sex or romance. This may manifest as someone not being sexually or romantically attracted to someone because of their race and/or ethnicity.
Shuga/Bujaina	Preferred terms in Tanzania for gay men (shuga) and lesbians (bujaina).
Sistergirl/Brotherboy	Terms used to describe indigenous transgender people in Australia among the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A sistergirl (or sistagirl) is an individual assigned male at birth who identifies as female and a brotherboy is an individual assigned female at birth who identifies as male. Sis- tergirls will often adopt a female gender role in their community and brotherboys a male gender role.
Skesana	An IsiNgqumo term used by Bantu speakers in southern Africa and Zimbabwe to describe people who were assigned the sex of male at birth and have a female gender identity or feminine gender expression. In the same language, injonga refers to masculine gay men.
Takatāpui (Or Takataapui)	A Māori term traditionally referring to a same-gender partner; more recently, an umbrella term describing diverse sexual orientation and gender identity in a way that encompasses indigenous identity. Other Māori and Pacific terms used in New Zealand to describe gender identity include aikāne, akava’ine, fa’afafine, faafatama, fakafifine, fakaleiti, māhū, palopa, tangata ira tāne, vakasalewalewa and whakawahine.
Third Gender/Third Sex	Concepts common to many cultures, these terms refer to individuals who do not identify as men or women or whose gender is not perceived to be male or female, and/or to individuals whose gender identity does not match their assigned sex. They are commonly used in South Asia. See also the glossary category “Legal Recognition of Gender Identity.”
Tida Wena	A two-spirit identity among the Warao people, an indigenous Venezuelan culture. The term describes in- dividuals who identify as neither male nor female. They are thought to possess two spirits and often assume the role of shaman.
Trans Man	A person who was assigned female at birth but who identifies as a man/male.
Trans Woman	A person who was assigned male at birth but identifies as a woman/female.
Trans/Transgender	Terms used by some people whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans, transgender and non-binary are “umbrella terms” representing a variety of words that describe an internal sense of gender that differs from the sex assigned at birth and the gender attributed to the individual by society, whether that individual identifies as a man, a woman, simply “trans” or “transgender,” with another gender or with no gender.
Transition	The process of changing one’s external gender presentation to be more in line with one’s gender identity. Transition typically occurs over a long period of time and may include telling one’s family, friends and co- workers, using a different name, pronoun and/or title, dressing differently, changing one’s name and/or sex on legal documents, and undergoing hormone therapy and/or other treatment. In some countries, surgery is a requirement for legal gender recognition, which is a violation of UN human rights norms.
Transition	Transitioning is a process through which some trans people begin to live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the one assigned at birth. Transitioning might include social, physical or legal changes such as coming out to family, friends, co-workers and others; changing one’s appearance; changing one’s name, pronoun and sex designation on legal documents (e.g. driving licence or passport); and medical intervention (e.g. through hormones or surgery). A medical transition may include hormone therapy, sex reassignment surgery and/or other components and is generally conducted under medical supervision based on a set of standards developed by medical professionals.
Transitioning	The process through which some trans people begin to outwardly live as the gender with which they identify, rather than the one assigned at birth.
Transphobia	The fear and hatred of, or discomfort with those who transgress societal gender expectations and norms. Includes institutionalized forms of discrimination such as criminalization, pathologization, or stigmatization of non-conforming gender identities and gender expressions.
Transsexual	This is a term for people whose gender identity is different from their assigned sex at birth and who seek to transition. The term may not be acceptable to many members of the trans community since it has clinical or medical overtones. The term ‘transsexual’ is contentious and many trans people reject the term, given it can be incorrectly interpreted as focusing on sexuality or sexual behaviour rather than gender identity.
Travesti	A term used in South America, and particularly in Argentina, Brazil and Peru, to describe people who were assigned the sex of male at birth and have a female gender identity.
Two-Spirit	A term that groups gender identities specific to indigenous cultures in North America and encompasses unique terms that vary between nations. According to the Two-Spirit Society of Denver, “Two-spirit refers to another gender role believed to be common among most, if not all, first peoples of Turtle Island [North America], one that had a proper and accepted place within native societies. This acceptance was rooted in the spiritual teachings that say all life is sacred.” For example, winkte is a Lakota term meaning “to be as a woman” and nadleehi is a Dine [Navajo] term meaning “those who transform” and referring to one of four gender identities: masculine feminine, masculine masculine, feminine masculine or feminine feminine.
Use Of “X”	Indicates gender neutrality (e.g., Latinx rather than Latina or Latino; Mx. rather than Ms. or Mr.) or inclusion of intersex, transgender and individuals with other diverse genders (e.g., womxn rather than women).
Women Who Have Sex With Women (WSW)	A term used to refer broadly to people assigned the sex of female who engage in sexual activity with others who have been assigned the sex of female, regardless of how they personally identify. For example, this may include cisgender women who have sex with transgender men or nonbinary people who have been assigned the sex of female. It does not include transgender women who have sex with cisgender women or with transgender men.
X- Jenda	A Japanese term describing individuals whose gender identity falls outside the binary. The term is inclusive of both endosex and intersex individuals and is often abbreviated FTX, MTX and XTX.