sexual minorities
Non-heterosexual identity groups
Sexual minorities are people whose sexual orientation, identity, or practices fall outside the heterosexual mainstream.
The term encompasses gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other non-heterosexual identities, often appearing in academic or policy contexts: research on health disparities among sexual minorities.
It frames these groups collectively as demographic categories deserving protection or study, rather than emphasizing individual identity labels.
Attracted to same sex
- lesbianWoman desiring women
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- queerUnusual or non-normative
- intersexAtypical sex development
pansexual · nonbinary · genderqueer · genderfluid · two-spirit · demisexual · polysexual · agender
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- safe spaceSupportive, threat-free environment
- solidarityUnity among allies
- visibilityRange of clear sight
- chosen familyIntentionally formed kinship network
ballroom · gayborhood · support groups · PFLAG · coming out · allies · found family · nightlife
Unjust differential treatment
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- homophobiaPrejudice against same-sex attraction
- transphobiaPrejudice against transgender people
biphobia · erasure · closeted · outing · violence · bullying · marginalization · microaggressions
Same legal wedlock for all
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- legal protectionRights enforceable by law
- decriminalizationEnding criminal status
adoption rights · employment protections · hate crime laws · asylum · recognition · Stonewall · sodomy laws · military service
Pleading for a cause
- liberationRelease from constraint
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- movementChange in position
- organizingSystematically putting in order
protest · awareness · representation · intersectionality · allyship · coalition · lobbying · education
gay
Attracted to same sex
- lesbianWoman desiring women
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- queerUnusual or non-normative
intersex · pansexual · nonbinary · genderqueer · genderfluid · two-spirit · demisexual · polysexual · agender · omnisexual
pride
Satisfaction from one's achievements
- safe spaceSupportive, threat-free environment
- solidarityUnity among allies
- visibilityRange of clear sight
chosen family · ballroom · gayborhood · support groups · PFLAG · coming out · allies · found family · nightlife · bars
discrimination
Unjust differential treatment
- stigmaMark of dishonor
- prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
- homophobiaPrejudice against same-sex attraction
transphobia · biphobia · erasure · closeted · outing · violence · bullying · marginalization · microaggressions · rejection
marriage equality
Same legal wedlock for all
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
- civil rightsGuaranteed individual legal protections
- legal protectionRights enforceable by law
decriminalization · adoption rights · employment protections · hate crime laws · asylum · recognition · Stonewall · sodomy laws · military service · bathroom bills
advocacy
Pleading for a cause
- liberationRelease from constraint
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
- movementChange in position
organizing · protest · awareness · representation · intersectionality · allyship · coalition · lobbying · education · policy reform