Asexuality is distinct from celibacy, which is the deliberate abstention from sexual activity, despite sexual desire. Many aromantic people also identify with a sexual orientation, such as asexual, bisexual, etc.Īsexual: A broad spectrum of sexual orientations generally characterized by feeling varying degrees of sexual attraction or a desires for partnered sexuality. Aromantic people can be satisfied by friendship and other non-romantic relationships. Ageism can impact different age groups besides older folks, such as children who are stereotyped as being unable to make big decisions.Īllosexism: The pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion that oppresses asexual people built out of the assumption that everyone does and should experience sexual attraction.Īllosexual: A sexual orientation generally characterized by feeling sexual attraction or a desire for partnered sexuality.Īllistic: An adjective used to describe a person who is not autistic and is often used to emphasize the privilege of people who are not on the autism spectrum.Īllyship: The action of working to end oppression through support of, and as an advocate with and for, a group other than one’s own.Īndrogyne: A person with a gender that is both masculine and feminine or in between masculine and feminine.Īromantic: A romantic orientation generally characterized by not feeling romantic attraction or a desire for romance. This can be perpetuated through stereotypes of youthfulness versus life at an older age and through oppressive policies that subordinate and exclude older folks.

Disabilities do not necessarily limit people unless society imposes assumptions that do not account for the variation in people’s abilities.Ībleism: The pervasive system of discrimination and exclusion that oppresses people who are disabled, including differences in mental, cognititive, emotional, and/or physical abilities, through attitudes, actions, or institutional policies.Īgeism: The pervasive system of prejudice and discrimination that marginalizes people based on their age. Ability is not permanent, can fluctuate throughout one’s life, and is another aspect of diversity in our communities. These terms are important to acknowledge as part of our mission to challenge all forms of oppression that affect the multiple, intersectional identities held by members of our community.Ībility: The quality of having the means or skill to do something. This glossary contains terms, such as ableism and disability, that may not be considered directly related to identities of sexuality or gender. “If I didn't define myself for myself, I would be crunched into other people's fantasies for me and eaten alive.” Audre Lorde

Ultimately it is most important that each individual define themselves for themselves and therefore also define a term for themselves. You may even consider asking someone what they mean when they use a term, especially when they use it to describe their identity. This glossary is provided to help give others a more thorough but not entirely comprehensive understanding of the significance of these terms. This Glossary has been collectively built and created by the staff members of the LGBTQIA Resource Center since the early 2000s. They are provided below as a starting point for discussion and understanding. GLOSSARY The terms and definitions below are always evolving and changing and often mean different things to different people.

Pathological fear of outside culture