The letters LGBTI refer collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people. It is important to recognise that the letters in LGBTI represent broad categories of experience and not necessarily identities; thus, many people who would be considered trans identify simply as women, men, or another gender and do not necessarily have a ‘trans identity’. Although these groups are distinct, they can overlap (e.g. some intersex women are also lesbians).
Q stands for ‘queer’ – A feature of this term is that it is used in a wide variety of highly personal ways. When a person uses this term to describe themselves or others, it is often helpful to speak with them about what ‘queer’ means for them. Queer is not an umbrella term that can be applied to all people who are represented by the ‘LGBTI’ acronym.
- Extract from ‘QLife Guides Glossary’[70]