Editing LGBTQ (term) (section)

== Variants ==
{{see also|List of LGBTQ acronyms}}

[[File:Plaza de Mayo LGBT.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|2010 [[pride parade]] in [[Plaza de Mayo]], [[Buenos Aires]], which used the LGBTIQ initialism<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marchadelorgullo.org.ar/|title=Marcha del Orgullo LGBTIQ|language=es|publisher=Comisión Organizadora de la Marcha (C.O.M.O)|access-date=2 December 2016|archive-date=8 October 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021008094404/http://www.marchadelorgullo.org.ar/|url-status=live}}</ref>]]
Many variants of the term ''LGBT'' exist, such as the more inclusive '''''{{dfn|LGBT+}}''''',<ref>{{Cite web |title=LGBT+ |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/lgbt+ |access-date=26 September 2024 |website=Dictionary.com |language=en}}</ref> and variations that change the order of the letters or include additional letters. At least some of the components of sexuality (regarding hetero, bi, straight), and also [[gender identity|gender]] are stated to be on different [[human sexuality spectrum|spectrums of sexuality]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LGBT+ mental health |url=https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/wellbeing-physical-health/lgbtplus-mental-health/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=LGBT+ mental health |archive-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224214757/https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/living-with-mental-illness/wellbeing-physical-health/lgbtplus-mental-health/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="udayton.edu">{{cite web|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20190426194739-w5zag/|title=Armenia's LGBT+ community still waits for change one year after revolution|last=Vikhrov|first=Natalie|date=26 April 2019|website=Thomson Reuters Foundation|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224103611/http://news.trust.org/item/20190426194739-w5zag/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other common variants also exist, such as '''''LGBTQIA''''', with the ''I'' standing for [[intersex]] and the ''A'' standing for [[Asexuality|asexual]], [[aromantic]], or [[agender]],<ref name="MW-2024">{{Cite web |title=Definition of LGBTQIA |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/LGBTQIA |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=Merriam-Webster}}</ref><ref name="glaadA">{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/asexual-agender-aromantic|title=A is for Asexual, Agender, Aromantic|date=11 February 2015|website=glaad|access-date=28 March 2023|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326211810/https://www.glaad.org/blog/asexual-agender-aromantic|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Kuykendall-2016">{{cite web|last=Kuykendall|first=Emily|title=What the A in LGBTQIA+ Stands For|url=http://www.buddy-project.org/articles/asexual-aromantic|url-status=dead|date=20 June 2016|access-date=21 May 2021|website=Buddy Project|quote=The A in LGBTQIA+ stands for asexual, aromantic, and agender ... .|archive-date=21 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521215113/http://www.buddy-project.org/articles/asexual-aromantic}}</ref> and '''''LGBTQIA+''''', where "the '+' represents those who are part of the community, but for whom LGBTQ does not accurately capture or reflect their identity".<ref name="UNCW">{{cite web |title=LGBTQIA+ |url=https://uncw.edu/lgbtqia/facstaff-resources/lgbtqia.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503035352/https://uncw.edu/lgbtqia/facstaff-resources/lgbtqia.html |archive-date=3 May 2023 |access-date=31 August 2021 |website=[[University of North Carolina, Wilmington]]}}</ref> Longer initialisms have been criticized as confusing or unwieldy,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://qz.com/quartzy/1303522/the-new-rainbow-pride-flag-is-a-design-disaster-but-a-triumph-for-lgbtq-inclusiveness/ |title=The new rainbow pride flag is a design disaster—but a triumph for LGBTQ inclusiveness |publisher=Quartz |date=12 June 2018 |access-date=7 July 2020 |archive-date=28 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628214003/https://qz.com/quartzy/1303522/the-new-rainbow-pride-flag-is-a-design-disaster-but-a-triumph-for-lgbtq-inclusiveness/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Coming to terms with terms|url=http://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/9-24-2019/Coming-to-terms-with-terms/|access-date=25 June 2020|website=www.oakpark.com|date=24 September 2019|archive-date=29 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629054846/https://www.oakpark.com/News/Articles/9-24-2019/Coming-to-terms-with-terms/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Oli|date=4 December 2019|title=The challenge of generosity|url=https://oliverarditi.com/2019/12/04/the-challenge-of-generosity/|access-date=25 June 2020|website=Oliver Arditi|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628115531/https://oliverarditi.com/2019/12/04/the-challenge-of-generosity/|url-status=live}}</ref> sometimes being referred to as "[[alphabet soup (linguistics)|alphabet soup]]",<ref name="DeMarco2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-demarco/no-more-alphabet-soup_b_1527958.html |title=No More Alphabet Soup |work=The Huffington Post |date=18 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203014445/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/linda-demarco/no-more-alphabet-soup_b_1527958.html |archive-date= 3 February 2015 |url-status=live |first1=Linda |last1=DeMarco |first2=Sylvain |last2=Bruni |orig-year=1st pub. 18 May 2012 |id=1527958}}</ref> and mocked with labels such as {{Wt|en|LGBTQWERTY}}, {{Wt|en|LGBTQXYZ}}, and {{Wt|en|alphabet mafia}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Radio 4 is becoming a parody of itself |url=https://www.spiked-online.com/2023/01/06/radio-4-is-becoming-a-parody-of-itself/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=Spiked |quote=One of the most dynamic cultural events of past year was not any of the LGBTQWERTY 're-imaginings' so beloved of Radio 4's fawning arts coverage... |date=6 January 2023 |first=Julie |last=Burchill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 August 2022 |title='Klanned Parenthood': Bailey's running mate's old social media posts surface |url=https://wgntv.com/news/klanned-parenthood-baileys-running-mates-old-social-media-posts-surface/ |access-date=4 October 2023 |website=WGN-TV |quote="Just say no! The LGBTQXYZ agenda is aggressively trying to repurpose classic stories and films. How can a godmother be genderless? Satan is a liar!" Trussell posted in 2020 about actor Billy Porter playing a genderless fairy godmother.}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Seitzer |first=Helen |title=The Diffusion of Workplace Antidiscrimination Regulations for the LGBTQ+ Community |date=2022 |work=Networks and Geographies of Global Social Policy Diffusion |series=Global Dynamics of Social Policy |pages=227–253 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |doi=10.1007/978-3-030-83403-6_9 |isbn=978-3-030-83402-9 |s2cid=244654734 |quote=The public confusion over acronyms and pronouns goes so far that people ironically label the LGBTQ+ community "alphabet mafia" on social media platforms|doi-access=free}}</ref> The implication that the initialism refers to a single community is also controversial.<ref name="Counseling Lesbian, G">{{cite book |last1=Finnegan |first1=Dana G. |first2 = Emily B. |last2=McNally |title=Counseling Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Substance Abusers: Dual Identities |publisher=Haworth Press |year=2002|isbn= 978-1-56023-925-3 |url =https://archive.org/details/counselinglesbia2002finn |url-access=registration}}</ref>

Although identical in meaning, ''LGBT'' may have a more [[feminist]] connotation than ''{{dfn|GLBT}}'' as it places the "L" (for "lesbian") first.<ref name="Bisexuality and Transgend" /> ''LGBT'' may also include additional Qs for "[[queer]]" or "[[questioning (sexuality and gender)|questioning]]" (sometimes abbreviated with a question mark and sometimes used to mean anybody not literally L, G, B or T) producing the variants ''LGBTQ'' and ''{{dfn|LGBTQQ}}''.<ref name="In-Between Bodies">{{cite book | last=Bloodsworth-Lugo | first=Mary K. | title=In-Between Bodies: Sexual Difference, Race, and Sexuality | publisher=SUNY Press | year=2007 | isbn=978-0-7914-7221-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ph74JKY_5dwC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906145702/https://books.google.com/books?id=Ph74JKY_5dwC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Girls' Violence">{{cite book | last1=Alder | first1=Christine | first2=Anne | last2=Worrall | title=Girls' Violence: Myths and Realities | publisher=SUNY Press | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-7914-6110-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=O0ye93mW0eUC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906153055/https://books.google.com/books?id=O0ye93mW0eUC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Advocacy Research in">{{cite book | last1=Cherland | first1=Meredith Rogers | first2=Helen J. | last2=Harper | title=Advocacy Research in Literacy Education: Seeking Higher Ground | publisher=Routledge | year=2007 | isbn=978-0-8058-5056-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ct_5Cf1aH0kC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906154218/https://books.google.com/books?id=ct_5Cf1aH0kC | url-status=live}}</ref> The order of the letters has not been standardized; in addition to the variations between the positions of the initial "L" or "G", the mentioned, less common letters, if used, may appear in almost any order.<ref name="Bisexuality and Transgend" /> In [[Hebrew]] and [[Peninsular Spanish]], ''LGTB'' ({{lang|he|להט"ב}}) is used, that is, reversing the letters "B" and "T".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wdg.co.il/%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%9C-%D7%91%D7%90%D7%94-%D7%9C%D7%A4%D7%A0%D7%99-%D7%94%D7%94-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%99%D7%A9-%D7%A9%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%90-%D7%90%D7%AA-%D7%A8%D7%90%D7%A9%D7%99-%D7%94/|title=למה ה'ל' באה לפני ה'ה'? האיש שהמציא את ראשי התיבות 'להט"ב' מסביר|first=רעות|last=נגר|date=20 October 2017|website=wdg.co.il}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fundeu.es/recomendacion/lgtb-en-mayusculas-1074/ |title=LGTB, en mayúsculas |date=22 September 2011 |access-date=19 December 2021 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219162045/https://www.fundeu.es/recomendacion/lgtb-en-mayusculas-1074/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
Variant terms do not typically represent political differences within the community, but arise simply from the preferences of individuals and groups.<ref name="Narrative Therapy">{{cite book | last1=Brown | first1=Catrina | first2=Tod | last2=Augusta-Scott | title=Narrative Therapy: Making Meaning, Making Lives | publisher=Sage Publications Inc | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-4129-0988-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=STMieEKGGikC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906165342/https://books.google.com/books?id=STMieEKGGikC | url-status=live}}</ref>

The terms ''[[pansexual]]'', ''omnisexual'', ''[[sexual fluidity|fluid]]'' and ''queer-identified'' are regarded as falling under the umbrella term ''bisexual'' (and therefore are considered a part of the [[bisexual community]]). Some use ''LGBT+'' to mean "LGBT and related communities".<ref name="udayton.edu" /> Other variants may have a "U" for "unsure"; a "C" for "curious"; another "T" for "[[transvestism|transvestite]]"; a "TS", "2S", or "2" for "[[two-spirit]]" persons; or an "SA" for "[[straight allies]]".<ref name="Oberlin">{{cite book | last1=Lebaron | first1=Sarah | first2=Jessica | last2=Pecsenye | first3=Becerra | last3=Roland | first4=Jon | last4=Skindzier | title=Oberlin College: Oberlin, Ohio | publisher=College Prowler, Inc | year=2005 | isbn=978-1-59658-092-3 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T3RFabY6chcC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906160313/https://books.google.com/books?id=T3RFabY6chcC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Teaching about Asian">{{cite book | last1=Chen | first1=Edith Wen-Chu | first2=Glenn | last2=Omatsu | title=Teaching about Asian Pacific Americans: Effective Activities, Strategies, and Assignments for Classrooms and Communities (Critical Perspectives on Asian Pacific Americans) | publisher=Rowman & Littlefield | year=2006 | isbn=978-0-7425-5338-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JqLOnyU081kC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906152229/https://books.google.com/books?id=JqLOnyU081kC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="After Revolution: M">{{cite book | last=Babb | first=Florence E. | title=After Revolution: Mapping Gender and Cultural Politics in Neoliberal Nicaragua | publisher=University of Texas Press | year=2001|isbn= 978-0-292-70900-3| url = https://archive.org/details/afterrevolution00flor| url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="Gay and Lesbian Righ">{{cite book | last=Padilla | first=Yolanda C. | title=Gay and Lesbian Rights Organizing: Community-based Strategies | publisher=Haworth Press | year=2003 | isbn=978-1-56023-275-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DN2KGHnYN0EC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906172637/https://books.google.com/books?id=DN2KGHnYN0EC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="From Hate Crimes t">{{cite book | last1=Swigonski | first1=Mary E. | first2=Robin S. | last2=Mama | first3=Kelly | last3=Ward | first4=Matthew | last4=Shepard | title=From Hate Crimes to Human Rights: A Tribute to Matthew Shepard | publisher=Haworth Press | year=2001 | isbn=978-1-56023-257-5 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fzp9QP0h6bAC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=6 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906152612/https://books.google.com/books?id=fzp9QP0h6bAC | url-status=live}}</ref> The inclusion of straight allies in the LGBT initialism has proven controversial, as many straight allies have been accused of using LGBT advocacy to gain popularity and status in recent years,<ref name="Becker2006">{{cite journal|last=Becker|first=Ron|title=Gay-Themed Television and the Slumpy Class: The Affordable, Multicultural Politics of the Gay Nineties|journal=Television & New Media|date=2006|volume=7|pages=184–215|doi=10.1177/1527476403255830|issue=2|s2cid=145717408|issn=1527-4764}}</ref> and various LGBT activists have criticised the heteronormative worldview of certain straight allies.<ref name="DeTurk2011">{{cite journal|last=DeTurk|first=Sara|title=Allies in Action: The Communicative Experiences of People Who Challenge Social Injustice on Behalf of Others|journal=Communication Quarterly|date=2011|volume=59|issue=5|pages=569–590|doi=10.1080/01463373.2011.614209|issn=0146-3373|doi-access=free}}</ref> Some may also add a "P" for "[[polyamorous]]" or "[[pangender]]", an "H" for "[[HIV|HIV-affected]]", or an "O" for "other".<ref name="Bisexuality and Transgend" /><ref name="Peace Kills">{{cite book | last=O'Rourke | first=P. J. | title=Peace Kills: America's Fun New Imperialism | publisher=Grove Press | year=2001 | isbn=978-0-8021-4198-9 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IqivmWcKYZEC | access-date=2 July 2015 | archive-date=9 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709191755/https://books.google.com/books?id=IqivmWcKYZEC | url-status=live}}</ref> The initialism ''{{dfn|LGBTIH}}'' has seen use in [[India]] to encompass the [[Hijra (South Asia)|hijra]] [[third gender]] identity and the related subculture.<ref name="Pune Mirror">{{cite web|last1=Gurjar|first1=Kaumudi|title=Maiden stage act by city's LGBT face gets censor's chop|url=http://www.punemirror.in/pune/cover-story/Maiden-stage-act-by-citys-LGBT-face-gets-censors-chop/articleshow/45312884.cms|website=punemirror.in|publisher=Pune Mirror|access-date=22 December 2014|archive-date=28 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528092821/http://www.punemirror.in/pune/cover-story/Maiden-stage-act-by-citys-LGBT-face-gets-censors-chop/articleshow/45312884.cms|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="GayLeeds">{{cite web|last1=McCusker|first1=Ros|title=Gay Leeds&nbsp;— Your comprehensive guide to all things gay in Leeds|url=http://www.gayleeds.com/editors/article/_LGB-or-LGBT-or-LGBTQ-or-What/|website=gayleeds.com|access-date=22 December 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109003322/http://www.gayleeds.com/editors/article/_LGB-or-LGBT-or-LGBTQ-or-What/|archive-date=9 January 2015}}</ref>

Adding the term ''allies'' to the initialism has sparked controversy,<ref name="ISD">{{cite web|last1=Kelly|first1=Morgan|title=Adding 'allies' to LGBT acronym sparks controversy|url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_50e5e8f6-5edc-11e4-a17f-f77a797314c5.html|website=iowastatedaily.com|publisher=Iowa State Daily|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305001010/http://www.iowastatedaily.com/news/article_50e5e8f6-5edc-11e4-a17f-f77a797314c5.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="equinox">{{cite web|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/equinox-gyms-pride-video-the-lgbtqalphabet-leaves-out-important-letter-63252|title=Why People Are Upset About Equinox Gym's Pride Video|date=8 June 2017|access-date=28 March 2023|website=Bustle|archive-date=10 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810223928/https://www.bustle.com/p/equinox-gyms-pride-video-the-lgbtqalphabet-leaves-out-important-letter-63252|url-status=live}}</ref> with some seeing the inclusion of ally in place of asexual/aromantic/agender as a form of [[LGBT erasure]].<ref name="glaadA" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://medium.com/matthews-place/why-the-a-doesnt-stand-for-ally-b31395c06150|title=Why the A doesn't stand for Ally|date=19 May 2020|access-date=28 March 2023|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326211811/https://medium.com/matthews-place/why-the-a-doesnt-stand-for-ally-b31395c06150|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Maroon1">{{cite web|last1=Richard |first1=Katherine |title=Column: "A" stands for asexuals and not allies |url=http://www.loyolamaroon.com/2.6713/column-a-stands-for-asexuals-and-not-allies-1.2833151 |website=loyolamaroon.com |publisher=The Maroon |access-date=29 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131206150654/http://www.loyolamaroon.com/2.6713/column-a-stands-for-asexuals-and-not-allies-1.2833151 |archive-date= 6 December 2013 |quote=That "A" is not for allies[,] [t]hat "A" is for asexuals. [...] Much like bisexuality, asexuality suffers from erasure. |url-status=dead}}</ref> There is also the [[acronym]] ''{{dfn|QUILTBAG}}'' (queer and questioning, unsure, intersex, lesbian, transgender and two-spirit, bisexual, asexual and aromantic, and gay and genderqueer).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apex-magazine.com/reaching-into-the-quiltbag-the-evolving-world-of-queer-speculative-fiction/|title=Reaching into the QUILTBAG: The Evolving World of Queer Speculative Fiction|work=Apex Magazine|access-date=6 October 2014|date=6 March 2012|archive-date=9 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141009003519/http://www.apex-magazine.com/reaching-into-the-quiltbag-the-evolving-world-of-queer-speculative-fiction/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{anchor|LGBTIQA+}} Similarly ''{{dfn|LGBTIQA+}}'' stands for "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual and many other terms (such as non-binary and pansexual)".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/support/wellbeing/lgbtiqa-services/what-lgbtiqa-means|title=What does LGBTIQA+ mean|last=University|first=La Trobe|website=www.latrobe.edu.au|access-date=13 October 2018|archive-date=13 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013093334/https://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/support/wellbeing/lgbtiqa-services/what-lgbtiqa-means|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=LGBTIQA+ glossary of common terms |url=https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/lgbtiqa-glossary-common-terms |access-date=9 December 2022 |website=aifs.gov.au |archive-date=9 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209130116/https://aifs.gov.au/resources/resource-sheets/lgbtiqa-glossary-common-terms |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{As of|2025}}, the [[Government of Canada|Government of Canada's]] official term is ''2SLGBTQI+'', with the first two characters standing for [[two-spirit]].<ref name=WAGE>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Women and Gender Equality |date=19 August 2020 |title=2SLGBTQI+ terminology – Glossary and common acronyms |url=https://women-gender-equality.canada.ca/en/free-to-be-me/2slgbtqi-plus-glossary.html |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=women-gender-equality.canada.ca}}</ref> Trudeau's new initialism was criticized by some social media users.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trudeau criticized for upgrading "LGBTQ+ to 2SLGBTQI+" |url=https://www.albawaba.com/node/trudeau-criticized-upgrading-lgbtqi-2slgbtqi-1520669 |access-date=18 July 2023 |website=[[Al Bawaba]]}}</ref> For some [[First Nations in Canada|indigenous people]], ''two-spirit'' invokes a combination of identities, including sexual, gender, cultural, and spiritual.<ref name="Antony-2022">{{cite book |editor1=Jessica Antony |editor2=Wayne Antony |editor3=Les Samuelson |author1=Jessica Antony |author2=Wayne Antony |date=2022 |title=Power and Resistance, 7th ed.: Critical Thinking About Canadian Social Issues |publisher=Fernwood Publishing |location=Halifax |page=389 |isbn=978-1-77363-539-2 |oclc=1288193829 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=an52EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA389 |access-date=5 January 2023 |archive-date=5 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105085721/https://books.google.com/books?id=an52EAAAQBAJ&pg=PA389 |url-status=live}}</ref> The government formerly used ''LGBTQ2''.<ref name=WAGE /> Prime Minister [[Justin Trudeau]] was also criticized{{Why|date=April 2025}} for using the ''2SLGBTQQIA+'' initialism.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Allen |first=Nick |date=8 October 2021 |title=Justin Trudeau mocked for using 2SLGBTQQIA+ acronym for sexual identities |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/10/08/justin-trudeau-mocked-using-2slgbtqqia-acronym-sexual-identities/ |access-date=18 July 2023 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mitchell |first=Charlie |date=17 July 2023 |title=Justin Trudeau mocked for using extended LGBT acronym |newspaper=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/justin-trudeau-mocked-for-using-extended-lgbt-acronym-3ll2vlfzm |access-date=18 July 2023 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> 

=== Transgender inclusion ===
The term ''[[trans*]]'' has been adopted by some groups as a more inclusive alternative to "transgender", where ''trans'' (without the asterisk) has been used to describe [[trans men]] and [[trans women]], while ''trans*'' covers all non-cisgender ([[genderqueer]]) identities, including transgender, transsexual, transvestite, genderqueer, [[genderfluid]], [[non-binary]], [[genderfuck]], genderless, agender, non-gendered, third gender, two-spirit, [[bigender]], and trans man and trans woman.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/01/10/trans_what_does_it_mean_and_where_did_it_come_from.html |title=What Does Trans* Mean, and Where Did It Come From?' |first=Hugh |last=Ryan |date=10 January 2014 |work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]] |access-date=21 May 2014 |archive-date=21 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521104711/http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/01/10/trans_what_does_it_mean_and_where_did_it_come_from.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://vadenprd.stanford.edu/special-topics/lgbtq-health/glossary |title=Glossary of Transgender Terms |date=14 February 2014 |work=Vaden Health Center Stanford University |access-date=21 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521105407/http://vadenprd.stanford.edu/special-topics/lgbtq-health/glossary |archive-date=21 May 2014}}</ref> Likewise, the term ''[[transsexual]]'' commonly falls under the umbrella term ''transgender'', but some transsexual people object to this.<ref name="Bisexuality and Transgend" />

=== Intersex inclusion ===
{{main|Intersex and LGBTQ}}
Those who add [[intersex]] people to LGBT groups or organizations may use the extended initialism '''''{{dfn|LGBTI}}''''',<ref>William L. Maurice, Marjorie A. Bowman, [https://books.google.com/books?id=HX9HAAAAMAAJ Sexual medicine in primary care] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906150820/https://books.google.com/books?id=HX9HAAAAMAAJ |date=6 September 2015}}, Mosby Year Book, 1999, {{ISBN|978-0-8151-2797-0}}</ref><ref name="Challenging Lesbian Nor"/> or '''''{{dfn|LGBTIQ}}'''''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/trans-women-march-for-their-rights-in-conservative-indonesia/4894550.html|title=Trans Women March for Their Rights in Conservative Indonesia|last=Siddharta|first=Amanda|date=28 April 2019|website=VOA|access-date=28 April 2019|archive-date=28 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428120725/https://www.voanews.com/a/trans-women-march-for-their-rights-in-conservative-indonesia/4894550.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The relationship of [[intersex]] to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans, and queer communities is complex,<ref>{{cite web |last=Dreger |first=Alice |title=Reasons to Add and Reasons NOT to Add "I" (Intersex) to LGBT in Healthcare |date=4 May 2015 |access-date=8 May 2021 |url=https://www.aamc.org/download/431576/data/reasonsdeck.pdf |publisher=[[Association of American Medical Colleges]] |archive-date=9 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609230211/https://www.aamc.org/download/431576/data/reasonsdeck.pdf |url-status=live}}</ref> but intersex people are often added to the LGBT category to create an LGBTI community. Some [[intersex]] people prefer the initialism ''LGBTI'', while others would rather that they not be included as part of the term.<ref name="Challenging Lesbian Nor">{{cite book | last=Aragon | first=Angela Pattatuchi | title=Challenging Lesbian Norms: Intersex, Transgender, Intersectional, and Queer Perspectives | publisher=Haworth Press | year=2006 | isbn=978-1-56023-645-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=usruybRjfMUC | access-date=5 July 2008 | archive-date=22 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122110205/http://books.google.com/books?id=usruybRjfMUC | url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Fenway Guide">{{cite book |last1=Makadon |first1=Harvey J. |first2=Kenneth H. |last2=Mayer |first3=Jennifer |last3=Potter |first4=Hilary |last4=Goldhammer |title=The Fenway Guide to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health |publisher=ACP Press |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-930513-95-2 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VsRwtwb-He8C |access-date=2 July 2015 |archive-date=6 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906161311/https://books.google.com/books?id=VsRwtwb-He8C |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Emi Koyama]] describes how inclusion of intersex in ''LGBTI'' can fail to address intersex-specific human rights issues, including creating false impressions "that intersex people's rights are protected" by laws protecting LGBT people, and failing to acknowledge that many [[intersex]] people are not LGBT.<ref>{{cite web| last = Koyama| first = Emi| title = Adding the "I": Does Intersex Belong in the LGBT Movement?| work = Intersex Initiative| url = http://www.intersexinitiative.org/articles/lgbti.html| access-date = 18 May 2016| archive-date = 17 May 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160517075057/http://www.intersexinitiative.org/articles/lgbti.html| url-status = dead}}</ref>

=== Asexual, aromantic and agender inclusion ===
{{main|Asexuality|Aromanticism|Agender}}

In the early 2010s, [[asexuality]] and [[aromanticism]] started gaining wider recognition. Around 2015, they were included in the expanded initialism '''''LGBTQIA''''', with the A standing for ''asexual'', ''aromantic'', commonly grouped together as ''[[wikt:a-spec|a-spec]]'' along with ''[[agender]]''.<ref name="glaadA" /><ref name="Kuykendall-2016" />

Some people have mistakenly claimed the A stands for [[Straight ally|"ally"]], but allies are not a marginalized group and mentions of A for ally have regularly sparked controversy as a form of [[LGBT erasure]].<ref name="ISD" /><ref name="equinox" />