LGBTQ

The term LGBTQ is an umbrella initialism most commonly used to refer to people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. In many contexts it also stands for a broader coalition that can include intersex, asexual, aromantic, non-binary, and other gender- and sexuality-diverse identities (often rendered as LGBTQIA+). The LGBTQ community is not a single group with a single set of beliefs; it is a diverse population that spans every race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, ability, and socioeconomic background. What unites the umbrella is a set of overlapping experiences and movements oriented around dignity, safety, self-determination, and equal treatment under law.

While concepts of gender and sexuality vary across cultures and across time, the acronym LGBTQ has become a widely used, global shorthand in media, research, public policy and community organizing. Major health bodies and human rights organizations recognize LGBTQ people as entitled to the same rights and opportunities as all others, and they document distinct patterns of stigma and discrimination that can adversely affect health, safety, and economic well-being.

Terminology and scope

The five letters of LGBTQ refer to distinct but sometimes overlapping identities:

Lesbian – women who are romantically and/or sexually attracted to women.

Gay – a term used by many men who are attracted to men; it is also used as a general descriptor for same-gender attraction.

Bisexual – people attracted to more than one gender (sometimes called pansexual or multisexual).

Transgender – people whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Transgender people may be binary (men or women) or non-binary (identities beyond the man/woman binary).

Queer or Questioning – “queer” is a reclaimed umbrella word for people whose sexual orientation and/or gender identity fall outside heterosexual and cisgender norms; “questioning” refers to people exploring their identities.

Many communities add letters and symbols to be more inclusive. Common extensions include I for intersex (people born with sex characteristics that do not fit normative definitions of male or female bodies), A for asexual or aromantic, and a + to signal further diversity. Language continues to evolve; organizations encourage using terms people choose for themselves and, where relevant, their pronouns.

Sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics

Researchers typically distinguish among three concepts:

Sex characteristics are bodily traits (chromosomes, hormones, anatomy). Variations in sex traits are part of natural human diversity.

Gender identity is a person’s deeply held sense of being a man, woman, both, neither, or another gender.

Sexual orientation refers to enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to others.

Because they are distinct dimensions, a person can be transgender and straight, cisgender and gay, non-binary and bisexual, and so on.

Historical background

Before the acronym

Cultures around the world have long recognized patterns of same-gender love, gender variance, and third-gender social roles—from gender-diverse hijra communities in South Asia to māhū in Hawaiʻi and fa’afafine in Samoa, to two-spirit roles among many Indigenous peoples of North America. These traditions carry their own histories and meanings and are not simply equivalent to contemporary LGBTQ labels.

In Europe and North America, modern categories like “homosexual,” “bisexual,” and “transsexual” arose in the 19th and 20th centuries as medical and legal authorities sought to name and regulate sexuality and gender. Over time, activists turned those labels into tools for collective identity and political action.

The mid-20th century: criminalization and resistance

For much of the 20th century, many countries criminalized consensual same-sex intimacy, policed gender expression, and censored LGBTQ content. Raids on bars and gathering places were common. Resistance coalesced into organizations such as the Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis in the United States, the Homosexual Law Reform Society in the UK, and many others worldwide.

The 1969 uprising at New York’s Stonewall Inn—led by a diverse crowd that included trans women, drag performers, street youth, and queer people of color—became a galvanizing symbol. Annual “Christopher Street Liberation Day” marches evolved into today’s Pride celebrations.

Health classifications and depathologization

In 1973 the American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The World Health Organization followed by removing homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990 (ICD-10). In ICD-11, “gender incongruence” was moved out of the mental disorders chapter to a sexual health chapter, a change designed to reduce stigma and support access to affirming care.

HIV/AIDS and community mobilization

The early HIV/AIDS epidemic devastated gay and bisexual men, trans communities, and marginalized groups globally. Community organizations and activists—such as ACT UP—fought for research, treatment access, and public education, reshaping public health and drug approval processes. Today antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have transformed prevention and care, though inequities persist.

Legal recognition and ongoing struggles

From the 1990s onward, many jurisdictions decriminalized same-sex intimacy and introduced anti-discrimination rules, partnership recognition, and marriage equality. Yet in other regions, same-sex acts remain criminalized and gender diverse people face severe restrictions and violence. ILGA World’s annual survey tracks this patchwork of laws.

Health and well-being

Minority stress and mental health

Research documents that stigma and discrimination create chronic stressors—sometimes called “minority stress”—that increase risks for anxiety, depression, suicidality, and substance use. These disparities are not inherent to being LGBTQ; they are associated with social conditions such as rejection, harassment, and barriers to affirming care.

Protective factors—family acceptance, inclusive schools, supportive peers, and access to competent services—significantly improve outcomes for LGBTQ youth and adults.

Evidence-based, affirming care

Major medical organizations advise that ethical, evidence-based care affirms a person’s sexual orientation and gender identity. So-called “conversion” or “reparative” therapies that aim to change orientation or gender identity lack scientific credibility and are associated with harm.

For transgender and non-binary people, international standards such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care outline pathways to social, legal, and—when desired—medical affirmation, always individualized and guided by informed consent and clinical judgment.

HIV, sexual health, and inclusive services

LGBTQ-inclusive sexual health services emphasize STI screening, vaccination (e.g., HPV, hepatitis), access to PrEP and PEP for HIV prevention, and culturally competent care. Public health agencies stress that respectful, non-stigmatizing environments increase uptake of services and improve outcomes.

Law, policy, and human rights

International human rights standards affirm that LGBTQ people are entitled to all rights without discrimination. The Yogyakarta Principles (2006, plus 2017), formulated by experts in international law, provide a framework for applying existing human rights norms to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC).

Common policy areas include:

Decriminalization of consensual same-sex conduct and protection from arbitrary arrest and police abuse.

Non-discrimination protections in employment, housing, education, health, credit, and public accommodations.

Family recognition including marriage, civil partnerships, adoption, and parental rights.

Gender recognition procedures that allow trans and non-binary people to update documents without abusive requirements.

Hate-crime and hate-speech laws that track bias-motivated offenses and provide remedies.

Asylum protections for people fleeing persecution on SOGIESC grounds.

Because laws vary widely, migrants, refugees, and travelers may face sudden risks when crossing borders. ILGA World’s legal maps and reports are frequently cited resources for current status by country.

Landmark court rulings (selected)

Courts in many countries have recognized same-sex marriage or partnership rights (e.g., Canada 2005, South Africa 2006, United States 2015, Taiwan 2019).

Employment law has increasingly recognized sexual orientation and, in some jurisdictions, gender identity as protected categories. In the United States, the Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) that discrimination “because of sex” under Title VII covers gay and transgender workers.

Culture, community, and expression

Pride and symbols

The modern Pride movement celebrates diversity and demands equality through marches, festivals, art, and memorials. The rainbow flag, created by artist Gilbert Baker in 1978, became an international symbol of LGBTQ pride. Several updated designs, including the Progress Pride flag, incorporate additional stripes to represent trans communities and communities of color.

Arts, media, and representation

LGBTQ storytelling—literature, film, television, music, visual arts—has helped many people see themselves reflected in culture and has shifted public attitudes. Media-watch organizations encourage authentic casting and consultation with LGBTQ creators to avoid stereotypes and harmful tropes.

Community organizations and support

Pride centers, youth groups, helplines, legal clinics, faith-based affirming ministries, and health organizations provide safety nets and social connection. Global coalitions coordinate across borders on issues like decriminalization, HIV prevention, and asylum.

Education and youth

Inclusive curricula that discuss gender and sexuality diversity age-appropriately are linked with lower bullying rates and higher feelings of belonging. School policies that respect names, pronouns, and dress codes—and that train staff in preventing harassment—improve safety for LGBTQ students and those perceived as different.

Family acceptance matters. Studies find that supportive parenting is associated with lower rates of depression, substance use, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ youth.

Religion, belief, and LGBTQ

Attitudes within religious traditions range from fully affirming to strongly disapproving. Many LGBTQ people find spiritual homes in congregations and denominations that embrace equality; others experience exclusion or pressure to hide their identities. Interfaith networks and theologians offer resources for reconciling faith and LGBTQ identities, arguing from principles of human dignity and justice.

Economics and work

Workplace inclusion policies—non-discrimination clauses, benefits for diverse families, transition guidelines, and employee resource groups—are associated with better retention and productivity. Conversely, hostile climates and legal gaps can push LGBTQ people into precarious work or into hiding aspects of their lives at professional cost.

Violence, safety, and data

Bias-motivated violence targets LGBTQ people worldwide. Trans women—especially trans women of color—are disproportionately affected by lethal violence in several countries. Improving safety requires better data collection, survivor-centered services, community-based prevention, and legal accountability.

Digital life and visibility

Social media and online platforms help LGBTQ people find information and community, particularly in regions where offline spaces are limited. At the same time, digital harassment, doxxing, content moderation controversies, and algorithmic bias can create new risks. Digital literacy, platform accountability, and privacy protections are active areas of advocacy.

Debates and contemporary issues

Because LGBTQ is a broad coalition, debates within and about the community are not unusual. Current topics include:

Healthcare access for trans and non-binary youth and adults. Professional bodies emphasize individualized, evidence-based care delivered with informed consent; public debates often reflect political disagreements rather than medical consensus.

Sports participation. Organizations are developing policies that balance inclusion, safety, and competitive fairness, with differing approaches by sport and level of play.

Speech, education, and parental rights. Public disagreements over school curricula, library collections, and classroom speech reflect broader culture-war dynamics. Evidence suggests that censorship and exclusion can harm LGBTQ youth, while inclusive approaches support well-being and academic success.

Global inequalities. Activists highlight colonial legacies in criminal laws, the role of religion and politics in shaping policy, and the need for cross-border solidarity that centers local leadership.

Inclusive language and everyday practices

Small, everyday practices can make a large difference in inclusion:

Use a person’s self-identified name and pronouns. When unsure, politely ask or listen and mirror usage.

Avoid assumptions about relationships and bodies.

Provide gender-neutral options (e.g., “partner,” “parent/guardian,” “they/them” pronouns for unknown persons) and facilities (all-gender restrooms where feasible).

In forms and databases, separate questions about legal names from chosen names, and avoid forced binary options when possible.

In workplaces and services, offer staff training in LGBTQ cultural competency.

Style guides from journalism, public health, and education fields recommend plain, respectful language and warn against outdated or stigmatizing terms.

Global trends and the road ahead

Public opinion toward LGBTQ people has generally liberalized in many regions over recent decades, though attitudes can differ sharply by age, religion, and political ideology. Younger generations are more likely to identify outside traditional categories and to support inclusive policies. Yet progress is uneven and reversible: legal backsliding, disinformation, and scapegoating campaigns periodically target LGBTQ communities.

Scholars and advocates point to priorities for the future:

Decriminalization and legal equality. Ending criminal penalties and enacting comprehensive anti-discrimination laws remain foundational. Access to health and mental health care. Removing barriers—financial, geographic, bureaucratic—improves outcomes for individuals and reduces system costs. Data and research. Inclusive, privacy-respecting data collection helps governments and organizations design effective services and track progress. Intersectional approaches. LGBTQ people also have race, disability, migration, age, and class identities; policies that reflect these intersections are more equitable and effective. Education and public dialogue. Accurate information about sex, gender, and relationships benefits everyone, LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ alike.

See also

LGBTQIA+

Queer theory

Pride parade

HIV/AIDS

Human rights

Gender identity and expression

Intersex

Asexuality

Further reading

Principles for Inclusive and Respectful Communication, United Nations, 2025-08-21

Global Homophobia: States, Movements, and the Politics of Oppression, University of Illinois Press, 2014

The Gay Revolution: The Story of the Struggle, Simon & Schuster, 2015

External links

UN Free & Equal Campaign, United Nations

ILGA World, ILGA World

GLAAD, GLAAD

The Trevor Project (Crisis Support for LGBTQ young people in the U.S.), The Trevor Project