Glossary of Terms for Providers

Coming Out: Process by which a lesbian or bisexual woman reveals to others that she is lesbian or bisexual (i.e., “I came out to my doctor today”).

FTM: Female-to-male transsexual.

Gay: Usually used for men who partner with men; can be another term for lesbian.

Heterosexism: Assumption that the only type of sexuality is heterosexuality or that heterosexuality is morally and qualitatively superior to same-sex relations (i.e., medical forms that are inappropriate for LGBT people, lack of domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples).

Homophobia: Hatred of and discrimination against LGBT people.

Homosexual: Orientation toward same sex; can mean behavior and/or identity. Not a preferred label for LGBT people.

Lesbian: A woman whose primary sexual, emotional, and romantic attractions are to other women.

LGBT: Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

MTF: Male-to-female transsexual.

Sexual Behavior: What kinds of sexual activity an individual engages in and with what gender partner. Sexual behavior does not always follow from sexual orientation.

Sexual Identity: Label one gives oneself. Many—but not all—women who partner with women choose to call themselves “lesbian” or “gay.” Other women who have sex with women may identify as “heterosexual,” and women who sometimes have sex with men call themselves “lesbian.” Sexual identity is not the same as sexual behavior or sexual orientation. For health providers, knowing about sexual behavior is more important than knowing a patient’s sexual identity or orientation.

Sexual Orientation: Pattern of physical and/or emotional attraction to members of the same or opposite sex (i.e., hetero-, homo- or bi- sexual). Orientation does not always dictate gender of sexual partners.

Transgender: Someone who crosses over or blurs gender lines, or does not ascribe to the socially dictated gender construction for their sex, i.e., a “butch” woman, feminine gay man, drag queen, etc.

Transsexual: Someone who believes he or she was born in the “wrong” body and takes (or plans to take) steps to change his or her biological sex.

Transvestite: Someone who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex, usually for purposes of sexual arousal; most transvestites are heterosexual men.

Women who Partner with Women: Term that includes women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, or gay, as well as those who do not claim the label but are still romantically/sexually involved with women.