Over the last year I've noticed an increase in the amount of labels in teens and people in their twenties. Often when I think of someone being labeled, it is a bad thing. With the terms I have been hearing, that is not the case. As many of the terms are newer (and some I had to ask what they meant), I thought I would share some of the more common ones. I obtained the definitions from Urban Dictionary.
cisgender- someone whose gender corresponds to their assigned sex. Example: Cisgender male. Born male, identifies as male.
pansexual- a person who is sexually interested in other people regardless of gender, identity, or chromosomes.
demiromantic- someone who only feels romantic attraction after having an emotional connection.
demisexual- someone who only feels sexual attraction after having an emotional connection.
panromantic- a person that is attracted to all genders romantically but not sexually.
deadname- the birth name given to someone who has changed their name, frequently used for trans people's birth name.
I find it interesting that new labels are being created. I asked a few clients why they felt that was and the answers they gave lead me to believe that labels are already being thrown around, so why not own them and make them accurate.
Here are two websites that have a lot more terms and definitions:
http://itspronouncedmetrosexual.com/2013/01/a-comprehensive-list-of-lgbtq-term-definitions/
http://www.transstudent.org/definitions/
Don't be afraid to ask if someone identifies with a term you are not familiar with. It is a great way to learn!
