Words cheat sheet
A printable from LGBTQ+ Words for Families. Fill it in by hand. Nothing you write is collected by this website.
Words cheat sheet
Three separate ideas
- Sex assigned at birth: what was written down at birth.
- Gender identity: who a person knows they are inside.
- Sexual orientation: who a person is drawn to.
Common words
- Gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual: words about attraction.
- Transgender: gender identity differs from sex assigned at birth.
- Nonbinary: not only a man or only a woman.
- Cisgender: gender identity matches sex assigned at birth.
- Questioning: still exploring.
What to say
- "Thank you for telling me."
- "I love you. That does not change."
- "Who is it safe to tell?"
Remember
- Ask what words mean to your child.
- Do not out your child.
- Use their name and pronouns. Fix mistakes and move on.
- Get support for yourself.
From LGBTQ+ Words for Families. Facts checked October 21, 2026. Free information, not legal or medical advice.