Language is central to respect and inclusion within the community. Using appropriate terms helps create a supportive environment. Defining LGBTQ+ - The Center

Understanding the transgender community and LGBTQ+ culture begins with recognizing that gender identity and sexual orientation are distinct facets of a person’s self. While sexual orientation refers to who a person is attracted to, gender identity is a person’s internal sense of being a man, woman, neither, or both. "Transgender" (or "trans") serves as an umbrella term for those whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.