Pride terms that every ally should know about

Educate yourselves with these Pride terms to be a better ally as we show our support to the LGBTQIA+ community.

With various talks around and for the LGBTQIA+ community on the internet, in podcasts, videos, and shows and within the society, we have been introduced to the broad spectrum that is sexuality. There is a lot that we knew, and a lot that we are yet to learn about the queer community. It takes a lot of research, a constant need to learn and the ability to listen to gather knowledge about the history, present and future of the community. And we get to witness more conversations about the community during June given that it's Pride month. And these conversations have introduced us to a lot of jargon and pride terms that may be new to us. And each time we listen to newer terms, the more we learn about the community.

There are many queer individuals in our society today who have gathered the courage and are finally living life as their true selves. They have helped open conversations and new arenas of sexuality, gender and inclusivity showing us how colourful and diverse humans can be. They have their own terms and language that they use to describe their struggles, stories and challenges. But as cishet individuals and allies, we sometimes tend to not know their full meaning. If we want to be fully supportive of our queer friends, it's only fair for us to understand these Pride terms.

While we join the queer community to celebrate their month, it's important to educate ourselves with certain pride terms so we do not miscommunicate when showing our support to the community.

*note* Although we have listed some of the terms (our source), the meaning might differ from person to person. It's always better to ask your peers from the community about terms you may be confused about rather than impose your knowledge on them. If you need to know more, you can check out this resource provided by GLAAD Media Reference Guide.

Here's the Pride dictionary:

Pronouns: A word used instead of a noun often to refer to a person without using their name. Pronouns can signal a person's gender. Some of the most commonly used pronouns are she/her, he/him and they/them.

Androgynous: A person who has both masculine and feminine characteristics, which sometimes means you can't easily distinguish that person's gender. It can also refer to someone who appears female, but who adopts a style that is generally considered masculine.

Neopronouns: Words created to be used as pronouns but they are gender-neutral. You can read a list of neopronouns here.

Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender dysphoria: The psychological distress that occurs when a person's gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender confirmation surgery: A step some transgender people take to help them feel that their body aligns with their gender identity.

Deadnaming: Saying the name that a transgender person was given at birth but no longer uses.

Gender fluid: Not identifying with a single, fixed gender. A person whose gender identity and/or expression may change.

Gender non-conforming: People who don't conform to traditional expectations of their gender.

Misgendering: Referring to someone in a way that does not correctly reflect their gender identity, typically by using incorrect pronouns.

Outing: Publicly revealing a person's sexual orientation or gender identity without their consent and/or when they haven't come out themselves yet.

Heterosexual privilege: Refers to the societal advantages that heterosexuals get that LGBTQ people don't. If you're a straight family that moves to a new neighbourhood, for example, you probably don't have to worry about whether your neighbours will accept you.

Heteronormativity: A cultural bias that considers heterosexuality (being straight) the norm. When you first meet someone, do you automatically assume they're straight? That's heteronormativity.

Cisnormativity: A cultural bias that assumes being cis (when your gender identity aligns with the sex you were assigned at birth) is the norm.

Heterosexism: A system of oppression that considers heterosexuality the norm and discriminates against people who display non-heterosexual behaviours and identities.

Cissexism: A system of oppression that says there are only two genders, which are considered the norm, and that everyone's gender aligns with their sex at birth.

Transmisogyny: A blend of transphobia and misogyny, which manifests as discrimination against "trans women and trans and gender non-conforming people on the feminine end of the gender spectrum."

TERF: The acronym for "trans-exclusionary radical feminists," referring to transphobic feminists.

Happy Pride!

Also Read: Here’s what you need to know about different Pride flags and what they represent