This terminology guide is an attempt to help inform about the broad spectrum of how people express, live, and experience gender and sexuality.

Language is ever evolving. This has been proven with the ever increasing rainbow alphabet: 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual/aromantic/agender, plus). This guide is a living document that will be updated as terms are created, rediscovered, and shared. Please let us know if there is terminology that needs to be added, updated, or which is outdated.

The terms within this guide are important to affirming, validating, and recognizing our various identities and experiences. However, not all people use labels, are comfortable with labels, or yet know what their labels are. Please be mindful that language preference is independent to the person. If you are unsure which terms to use, ask the person.

If you have any questions about these terms, please contact us by email: info@canbc.org or phone/text: 604.437.7331

For more information about Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods, visit: www.canbc.org

PDF: Guide to Gender and Sexuality Terms (English version)
PDF: Termes de Genre et de Sexualité (Version française)

ePub version: available by emailing info@canbc.org (for some reason, WordPress won’t allow us to link it here)