Glossary

When dealing with a sensitive issue in schools it is good practice to establish the language to be used in the classroom. It is important to understand the following terms when learning about sexuality and relationships, rights and responsibilities and equal opportunities in relation to gay issues.

Bisexual people are those who are equally attracted, sexually and emotionally, to both sexes and are equally happy with heterosexual and homosexual relationships.

Coming out is the process of developing identity in relation to sexual orientation for people who are homosexual, lesbian or bisexual.

Cross dressers are usually men who enjoy wearing female clothes and adopting characteristics that are feminine, although they may still have otherwise heterosexual sexual attractions.

Gay is used to describe men and women who are sexually attracted to their own sex.

Gender identity is the psychological sense a person has of being male or female.

Heterosexism is the belief and practice that heterosexuality is the only natural form of sexuality. It also includes a belief that 'heterosexual' is better than 'homosexual'.

Heterosexual is feeling sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Homophobia has been defined as negative or fearful attitudes to homosexuality.

Homosexual is feeling sexually attracted to people of the same sex.

Lesbian is used to refer to women who are sexually attracted to other women. The word 'gay' can also be used.

LGBT is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and is useful when trying to refer to a wider range of sexual orientation in society. It is being used more and more, and signals inclusion.

Sexual orientation reflects an enduring emotional, romantic and sexual attraction to a particular sex.

Social gender role is the adherence to cultural norms for masculine and feminine behaviour.

Transsexual* means having a body with one set of sexual characteristics but feeling emotionally that you are the opposite sex.

Transvestites are men and women who get a sexual thrill out of dressing and behaving as one of the opposite sex, although they may still have otherwise heterosexual sexual attractions.

*Advances in biochemistry and other life sciences, along with developments in technology, are gradually revealing some of the reasons for this. There are an estimated 15,000 transsexuals in the UK. As children, they often feel something is wrong; at age 11 or 12 they can often identify what it is and become increasingly desperate as puberty begins. There is now a range of treatments and counselling for this condition.

Some children are born with elements of the genitalia of both sexes. While decisions may have been taken for them in relation to corrective surgery and socialisation, hormonal changes during puberty may not reflect the choices made, and this can be very distressing for the individual. It is important to be aware of this.