During Pride Month, many people see terms like LGBTQIA2S+, nonbinary, pronouns, or allyship and wonder what they actually mean.
Learning is lifelong, and language evolves. Terms that felt acceptable a decade ago may not carry the same meaning today, and some words once used as insults have been reclaimed as empowering by parts of the community. A common example is the word queer. Once widely used as a pejorative, many LGBTQIA2S+ people now use it proudly to describe themselves.
The LGBTQIA2S+ acronym itself has also evolved over time. One example is the addition of 2S, which stands for Two-Spirit. Two-Spirit is a modern umbrella term used by some Indigenous people to describe culturally specific identities that may relate to gender, sexuality, spirituality, or community roles.
Understanding inclusive language can help build a more welcoming community here in Eastern Kentucky. With that in mind…
What do all those letters mean?
| L | Lesbian |
| G | Gay |
| B | Bisexual |
| T | Transgender |
| Q | Queer | Questioning |
| I | Intersex |
| A | Asexual | Aromantic | Agender |
| 2S | Two-Spirit |
| + | Other identities not fully represented in the acronym. |
And what do all the other words mean?
It helps to know that sexual orientation and gender identity are different concepts.
Sexual orientation describes a person’s physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to others. For example, a heterosexual person, also referred to as straight, is primarily attracted to people of a different sex. A pansexual person may feel attraction to people of any gender identity, while a bisexual person may feel attraction to people of more than one gender. Asexual describes a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction. These are only a few examples, and sexual orientation exists across a wide spectrum of experiences.
Gender identity describes a person’s internal sense of their own gender. But before we explain gender, let’s discuss sex assigned at birth.
When we are born, a doctor typically examines our anatomy and assigns us a Sex Assigned at Birth. This may be recorded as Assigned Male at Birth (AMAB), Assigned Female at Birth (AFAB), or intersex.
Each of us also has a gender identity, which is how we see ourselves and interact with the world. For example, cisgender individuals identify with the sex they were assigned at birth, whereas transgender individuals identify differently from the sex they were assigned at birth. And nonbinary individuals have a gender identity that exists outside of the gender binary. While some people understand gender through a framework of male and female, others, including many nonbinary people, experience gender outside those categories.
Gender affirmation is the process of making social, legal, and/or medical changes to affirm one’s gender identity. This process is more commonly known as transitioning. We previously mentioned that language often changes, and this is a great example of how language continues to shift to become more inclusive. Many people now use the term gender affirmation instead of transition. The word transition can make it sound like something is being changed, while affirmation is about recognizing what’s always been true. This language can help affirm who someone is.
Choosing a name can be an important part of the gender affirmation process. Some individuals may no longer use their birth name and instead choose a name that better affirms their gender identity. This is often called a chosen name—the name a person uses that reflects who they are. Once a person has said they want to be called by their chosen name, calling them by their old name is referred to as deadnaming.
A gender pronoun, such as he, she, they, xe, or zir, is a pronoun a person uses to describe themselves and how they wish to be referred to. Sharing your pronouns can be a simple way to show support and help normalize the practice. When allies share pronouns too, it can reduce pressure on transgender and nonbinary people by making the responsibility of sharing more collective.
Here are a few helpful things to know about pronouns. When someone uses pronouns like he/she, they/he, or he/she/they, they are generally meant to be used interchangeably. You may also encounter pronouns such as xe/xem/xyr, ze/zir/zem, or ey/em/eir. These are called neopronouns. “Neo” means “new,” and they are gender-neutral pronouns outside more familiar sets like he, she, or they. If you are wondering how to use they/them pronouns in conversation, try the “sunglasses rule.” If you find a pair of sunglasses and do not know who they belong to, you naturally say, “Someone left their sunglasses. I hope they come back for them.” The same grammar applies when using they/them pronouns for a nonbinary person.
Mistakes Happen
Much like deadnaming, using the wrong gendered language for someone is called misgendering. If you make a mistake, do not shift the focus by over-apologizing. When apologies become excessive, the pressure often falls on the marginalized person to comfort you or say, “It’s okay.” Instead, try saying “thank you,” make the correction, and continue the conversation. This acknowledges the correction, shows respect, and allows the conversation to move forward.
When someone shares their identity with you, respond with care. “Coming out” means sharing one’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Some people are openly out, some are questioning, and some are closeted and not open about their identity. That is why confidentiality matters.
Respecting someone isn’t just about getting it right — it’s about affirming their identity and showing that they belong. No one is perfect, but choosing to practice respect, make corrections with care, and keep learning makes a real difference in creating safe and inclusive spaces.
To stay connected, learn more about MoreLove’s work, or request a peer-led LGBTQIA2S+ language workshop for your business or organization, visit MoreLoveEKY.org or follow us on social media @MoreLoveEKY. Happy Pride Month.
