For many people, LGBTQ+ is more than a label — it’s a community, a lifeline, a revolution, a family.
But what do those letters really stand for? And what’s with the “+” at the end?
As language evolves, so do our identities. The LGBTQ+ acronym has grown to reflect the beautiful, diverse ways people experience love, gender, and self. Understanding what each part means is the first step in showing respect, creating safer spaces, and celebrating the full spectrum of queerness.
Let’s break it down — together.
🔠 Breaking Down the Letters in LGBTQ+
LGBTQ+ is an acronym designed to represent a range of identities related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Here's what the core letters stand for:
- L – Lesbian: A woman who is emotionally, romantically, or sexually attracted to other women.
- G – Gay: Often refers to a man who is attracted to men, but can be used broadly across gender identities.
- B – Bisexual: A person attracted to more than one gender.
- T – Transgender: Someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
- Q – Queer or Questioning: “Queer” is a reclaimed, umbrella term for identities that fall outside the heterosexual and cisgender norm. “Questioning” honors those who are still exploring and discovering their truth.
Want a deeper dive? Check out our blog: LGBTQ+ Letters Explained to learn the history and meaning behind each one.
➕ What Does the “Plus” Represent?
Okay, now here’s where it gets exciting.
The “+” in LGBTQ+ is more than a punctuation mark — it's a promise. A reminder that our understanding of gender and sexuality is always growing, and that identity doesn’t have limits.
So what’s included in the “+”? A LOT. Let’s look at some of the beautiful identities it holds:
- Intersex — People born with physical sex characteristics (chromosomes, hormones, or anatomy) that don’t fit traditional definitions of male or female.
- Asexual (Ace) — People who experience little to no sexual attraction. Some are also aromantic, while others still seek emotional and romantic intimacy.
- Agender — People who identify with no gender at all.
- Nonbinary & Genderqueer — Folks who don’t identify strictly as male or female. Some are genderfluid, bigender, or something else entirely.
- Pansexual — People whose attraction isn’t limited by gender.
- Two-Spirit — A sacred, cultural identity within many Indigenous communities, referring to individuals with both masculine and feminine spirits.
- Demisexual, Graysexual, Omnisexual, Polysexual — These describe more specific, nuanced experiences of attraction.
In short? The “+” is for everyone who doesn’t see themselves in just five letters — and needs to know they’re still included, respected, and seen.
You can read more about what it means to be nonbinary, or explore how representation shows up through the many LGBTQ+ Pride flags and their continued variations.
💬 So… What Does LGBTQ+ Mean to You?
For some, it means identity.
For others, it means freedom.
For many, it means finally feeling like you belong — after years of hiding or being misunderstood.
It can mean:
- A safe space to exist
- A new language to describe yourself
- The joy of finding your people
- The strength to love out loud
It means something different to everyone — and that’s exactly the point.
🧠 Why Representation (and Language) Matters
Words matter. Flags matter. Stories matter.
When we use the right language, when we uplift the full spectrum of identities, we’re not just being inclusive — we’re making space for healing, pride, and survival.
Whether it’s understanding asexuality, learning someone's pronouns, or simply listening to a friend who’s questioning — it all counts.
🌟 Final Thoughts
LGBTQ+ is more than just five letters.
It’s more than a community.
It’s a movement — a mirror — a celebration of every way a person can exist.
So we ask you:
What does LGBTQ+ mean to YOU?
Tag us at @pridepalacelgbt and share your truth with the world. We want to hear it — all of it.
Because every identity deserves a name. Every flag deserves to fly.
And every voice? Deserves to be heard.
Tags: #LGBTQPlus #WhatLGBTQMeans #LGBTQCommunity #QueerJoy #PrideFlags #NonbinaryVoices #InclusiveLanguage #GenderFreedom #PridePalace #LiveYourTruth
