LGBT+ (GLBT) stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, with the plus standing for anyone not included under the main four categories. The term has been used since the 1990s, the term is an adaptation of the initialism LGB, marking the inclusion of transgender people in the community. It is the most commonly used term to refer to the community and it is intended to emphasize a diversity of sexuality and gender identity-based cultures. The term can be used to refer to anyone who is not heterosexual or not cisgender, instead of exclusively to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.
Several other variants of the acronym exist, some of the most popular include:
- LGBTA(+): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Asexual/Aromantic/Agender
- LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning
- LGBTI: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex
Many other acronyms that are combination of these. Other, less commonly seen variants may include letters such as "U" for "unsure", "C" for "curious", "TS" or "2" for "two-spirit", "P" for polyamorous or pansexual, "SA" for "straight allies", "H" for "HIV-affected", or an "O" for "other".
Initialisms such as LGBTTQQIAAP (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, ally, pansexual) have also resulted, although such initialisms are often criticized for being leaving some people out, as well as issues of placement of the letters within the new title. They are simultaneously criticized for being too confusing and too long to be used in normal speech. This has resulted in people attempting the create new acronyms, such as MOGAI (Marginalized Orientations, Gender And Intersex), MSGI (Minority Sexual and Gender Identities, GSD (Gender and Sexual Diversities), and similar terms, however LGBT continues to be the most widely recognized term.