LGBTQIA+ Wiki:FAQ

Should I come out? / How should I come out?

 * 1) Only come out if you are safe. If you feel like it would be unsafe in any way to come out in your current situation then do not come out.
 * 2) You can sometimes test a person's potential reaction by bringing up topics of sexuality or gender with them first. This can be by bringing up LGBT+ news stories, media, or celebrities. It does not have to be in person.
 * 3) Take your time. You do not need to come out right away.
 * 4) You do not have to come out to everyone at once. There are some people who you may never come out to and that's okay.
 * 5) Come out to people you trust. It can be easier to start by telling friends or siblings than by telling family. Try to find people who you know are allies. If their are people who you don't want to come out yet, make sure the people you do tell know this and can keep a secret.
 * 6) If you are uncomfortable with talking face-to-face you can write a letter, or do it through text or email.
 * 7) If you think it could go badly, avoid doing it before you have to spend a lot of time with the other person, like a Christmas dinner or a long flight.
 * 8) You don't ever have to come out if you don't want to.

Where can I find a list of EVERY pronoun set?
There are infinitely many pronoun sets. There are as many pronoun set as there are possible combinations of letters and symbols. There is no way to keep track of them all. Literally anyone can make a pronoun set and there are no “rules” for what that pronoun set can be.

If what you're actually asking for is a comprehensive list of many pronouns sets, then: https://pronoun-provider.tumblr.com/pronouns

I want to make a list of EVERY gender/sexuality/flag/LGBT+ identity. Where should I start?
Don't.

You will not succeed. I guarantee it.

There isn't for over ruling authority that keeps track of this stuff, and who people have to go through to make an identity. Literally anyone can be a new identity at any time and they will do it faster than you can ever hope to write them down.

This wiki is a testament to my attempt to do exactly this and I am literally no closer to finishing than I was when I started. For every page that is added five new identities are spontaneously created. I am Sisyphus and this is my rock.

Why is there not a page for [insert identity here]?
Because one hasn't been made yet.

How come [insert term here] has the same definition as [insert term here]?
1) There might be a subtle difference that you are not understanding.

2) There is no LGBTA+ hivemind. Not everyone is aware of every term that's been coined so sometimes two people will make terms with the same definition.

If you've asking which one to identify with just go with whichever one you like more, or both.

What is my orientation?/Is there a word for...?
Please read my three part masterpost for people looking for a certain sexuality.


 * Part 1: For gender based attraction.
 * Part 2: For ace-spec identities.
 * Part 3: For aro-spec identities and tertiary attraction.

You may also want to look through our various categories for sexualities.
 * Attraction to women, feminine genders, and/or feminine presentation.
 * Attraction to men, masculine genders, and/or masculine presentation.
 * Attraction to non-binary people, neutral genders, abinary gender, unaligned gender, and/or gender neutral presentation.
 * Attraction to multiple genders.
 * Attraction that changes.
 * Miscellaneous attraction.
 * Ace-spec identities.
 * Aro-spec identities.

What's the difference between bisexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and pansexual?
Pansexual: Omnisexual: Polysexual: Bisexual:
 * Attracted to all genders.
 * Genderally experiences no difference between genders.
 * Attracted to all genders.
 * Generally experiences some difference between genders.
 * Attracted to multiple genders, but not all genders.
 * May or may not experience a difference between genders.
 * Attracted to multiple genders. Can be attracted to 2 genders, all genders, or anywhere in between.
 * May or may not experience a difference between genders.

Am I bi, pan, or omni?
Identity as whichever you prefer.

While you can make a distinction between them if you wish, you do not have to. You can identify as multiple if you want.

Can I be sapphic/achillean if I'm [insert m-spec identity here]?
Yes. That is the point of sapphic/achillean.

What's is called when I'm attracted to feminine people regardless of their actual gender?
Finsexual.

Yes, this a common enough question to be in the FAQ.

What's it called when I have a preference for [insert gender here]?
See finic, minic, ninic.

What's it called when I'm attracted to non-binary people?
It depends.

Non-binary people aren't a single monolithic group that you can. "Yes, I'm attracted to them." or "No, I'm not attracted to any of them."

But also you can try ceterosexual, triasexual, or enboric.

I'm attracted to non-binary people, can I still identify as gay/lesbian/straight/[insert monosexual identity here]?
Yes, but also it depends.

All orientations include non-binary people, but not all orientations include all non-binary people. If you are a woman who is attracted to woman aligned/feminine aligned nb people that can be included in lesbian attraction. If you are also attracted to male aligned/masculine aligned nb people that would not fall under lesbian attraction. If you are attracted to neutral/unaligned nb people you may still identify as lesbian but it is up to your digression and how you think your attraction is best described.

I'm not attracted to non-binary people, can I still identify as gay/lesbian/straight/[insert monosexual identity here]?
Yes.

Just because non-binary people can be included in an identity doesn't mean that you, personally, have to be attracted to them.

Can I be [insert orientation here] if I'm transgender?
Trans men are men and can use any terms that can be used by men.

Trans women are women and can use any terms that can be used by women.

Can I be gay/vincian/achillean if I am non-binary?
Yes.

Can I be lesbian/sapphic if I am non-binary?
Yes.

Can I be [insert sexuality here] but for romantic/(queer)platonic/aesthetic/alterous/etc. attraction?
Yes.

What is the word for [insert sexuality here] attraction but for romantic/(queer)platonic/aesthetic/alterous/etc. attraction?
[insert prefix here][insert name of attraction here], for example:

Bisexual, Biromantic, Biplatonic, Biqueerplatonic, Biaesthetic, Bialterous, Bi[insert name of attraction here]

Now replace "bi-" with the sexuality prefix in question.

Can I be [insert ace-spec term here] and [insert other sexuality here] at the same time?
Yes.

Can I be [insert sexual orientation here] and [insert romantic orientation here] at the same time?
Yes.

Can I be asexual/ace-spec if I watch porn/masturbate/have a sex drive/enjoy sex?
Yes.

Can I be aromantic/aro-spec if I have/want to have a romantic relationship?
Yes.

Can I be in a queerplatonic relationship if I'm not asexual/not aromantic/[insert adjective here]?
Yes.

Can I be polyamorous if I am [insert orientation here]?
Yes.

What gender am I?
You may want to look through our gender categories.
 * For genders associated with femaleness/womanhood or femininity.
 * For genders associated with maleness/manhood or masculinity.
 * For genders that are neutral, unaligned, or abinary.
 * For genders that are outherine (not masculine, feminine, or neutral, but still gendered).
 * For genderlessness.
 * For partial genders.
 * For multigenders.
 * For genders that are fluid or flux.
 * For xenogenders.
 * Miscellaneous genders.

What's it called when I don't care about my gender?
Cassgender or gender apathetic.

Am I intersex if...
Unless the second part of that question is "I was born with a chromosomal, hormonal, gonadal, or genital, variation that causes my sex to not fall into the traditional classification of male or female" then the answer is no.

Intersex is not a gender identity. It is a physical, sex variation which is present in one's chromosomes, hormones (naturally produced), gonads, genitals, or combination of those things, that you are born with. If you were not born with such a variation then you are not intersex. And no, if you go on HRT you are not intersex. No, if you have surgery you are not intersex. No, you cannot "transition to intersex".

If you are not intersex, but still desire alternate sex characteristics, or have alternate sex characters (that you were not born with), then you may identify as altersex.

Can I be [insert gender here] and [insert other gender here] at the same time?
Yes.

Can I be trans if I don't want to have surgery/go on hormones/wear different clothes/[insert activity here]?
Yes.

Can I be trans if I am [insert non-binary gender here]?
Yes.

Does [insert gender here] count as non-binary?
Are you on the man page, woman page, wergender page, or wifgender page? If not, it is non-binary.

Am I allowed to change my name if I am [insert gender here]?
Yes.

Can I be [insert gender here] if I am [insert gender presentation here]?
Yes.

Can I be [insert gender here] if I like to [wear certain clothing item]/[do certain activity]?
Yes.

Can I be [insert gender here] if I like to be called sister/brother/daughter/son/boyfriend/girlfriend/[insert gendered word here]?
Yes.

What's the difference between non-binary and genderqueer?
Non-binary
 * Anyone whose gender is not strictly man or woman.

Genderqueer
 * Anyone who has a non-normative (queer) experience with gender. Which can include:
 * Anyone whose gender is not strictly man or woman.
 * Anyone who is gender non-conforming.

The two are often used interchangeably to refer to someone whose gender is not strictly man or woman. However genderqueer can also, sometimes, be used for gender non-conforming binary men and women. This definition of genderqueer is not as common in the modern day but can still be used. Remember that genderqueer is an older term, so the precise distinctions between orientation, gender, and gender presentation that we often use today were not present at the time it was created.

Can you explain xenogenders?
If you ask a man to describe his gender he might say his gender is something like "blue, strong, and protective". If you ask a women the same question she might say her gender is "beautiful, powerful, and nurturing". If you didn't know these people's gender this might sound a bit silly, because a gender can't literally have these qualities. However, we are still able to imagine these genders and associate them with these qualities. Since society has told us what men and women are these seem to make sense to us.

Now, imagine that words like "man", "woman", "masculine", or "feminine" didn't exist. These people would still experience those genders, but they wouldn't have convenient words to describe it. This is the what xenogenders are trying to do. People who have xenogenders know what their gender is, but their gender is not based on masculinity, femininity, or similar terms. Their gender does not have a convenient short-hand word, so instead they have to describe the qualities that are associated with their gender or describe it through metaphor. So, just as an example, instead of being "blue, strong, and protective" and gender might be "yellow, bright, and calming".

The only reason why words like masculine or feminine "make sense" to us is because we have been socialized since birth to recognize masculinity and femininity. If you were to actually stop and try to explain exactly what masculinity or femininity is, you'd find that you can only describe them through metaphor and abstract qualities, just like how xenogenders are described.

Can I use [insert pronouns here] if I'm [insert gender here]?
Yes.

I'm [insert gender here], what pronouns do I use?
Whichever ones you feel comfortable with.

Can I use [insert pronouns here] if I like to be called sister/brother/daughter/son/boyfriend/girlfriend/[insert gendered word here]?
Yes.

Can I use neopronouns if I am [insert gender here]?
Yes.

Can I use neopronouns if I am [insert adjective here]?
Yes.

Is [insert pronoun set here] a pronoun set?
It is now.

Can I make my own pronoun set?
Yes.

How do I use she/they pronouns or he/they pronouns.
She/they means they go by both she/her pronouns and by they/them pronouns. He/they means they go by both he/him pronouns and by they/them pronouns. Either use the two pronoun sets interchangeable or choose one or the other.

How do I use [insert pronouns set here]?
In English all pronoun sets have five words. They are organized like so: nominative/accusative/pronominal possessive/predicative possessive/reflexive. As an example I will using ae/aer/aer/aers/aerself pronouns. The first pronoun listed is the nominative pronoun. It is used in place of the words he, she, or they. The second pronoun listed is the accusative pronoun. It is used in place of him, her, or them. The third pronoun listed is the pronominal possessive pronoun. It is used in place of his, her, or their. The fourth pronoun is the predicative possessive. It is used in place of his, hers, or theirs. (Note that this is the pronoun most likely to be dropped when listing pronouns. If someone only lists four pronouns this is likely the one that is missing.) The last pronoun listed is the reflexive. It is used in place of the words himself, herself, or themself/themselves. Note that in the case of they/them pronouns some sentences are conjugated in the plural form. (ie: He has eaten. ==> They have eaten.) You should always assume that neopronoun sets are conjugated as singular, unless you are specifically told otherwise. (It would be “ae has eaten” not “ae have eaten”.)
 * He/She/They went to the store.
 * Ae went to the store.
 * [insert first pronoun here] went to the store.
 * I met him/her/them today.
 * I met aer today.
 * I met [insert second pronoun here] today.
 * I walked his/her/their dog today.
 * I walked aer dog today.
 * I walked [insert third pronoun here] dog today.
 * If I need a phone my friend will let me borrow his/hers/theirs.
 * If I need a phone my friend will let me borrow aers.
 * If I need a phone my friend will let me borrow [insert fourth pronoun here].
 * Alex has to drive himself/herself/themself to school.
 * Alex has to drive aerself to school.
 * Alex has to drive [insert last pronoun here] to school.

Note that this is only for English pronouns.