Celebrating pride month, we have listed below a few words from the LGBTQIA+ vocabulary in Portuguese you must learn if you are studying a new language.
LGBTQIA+
Over the years, in Brazil, the acronym used for LGBTQIA+ groups has changed. See some of its uses:
| Acronyms | Description |
|---|---|
| GLS | Gays, Lésbicas e Simpatizantes (Gays, Lesbians and Supporters) |
| GLB | Gays, Lésbicas e Bissexuais (Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals) |
| GLBT | Gays, Lésbicas, Bissexuais, Transexuais e Travestis (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transsexuals and Transvestites) |
| LGBTQIA+ | Lésbicas, Gays, Bissexuais, Transexuais e Travestis, Queers, Intersexuais, Assexuais e todos os outros gêneros e sexualidades (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transsexuals and Transvestites, Queers, Intersex, Asexuals and all other genders and sexualities) |
Sexo biológico
It is designated at birth according to the biological characteristics of the newborn. Chromosomes, genitalia, hormonal composition, etc may be taken into account.
Gênero
Social construction that identifies whether a person is male or female according to their biological sex.
Identidade de gênero
The perception that each person has of themselves, regardless of biological sex.
| Gender identities | Description |
|---|---|
| Transgênero | Someone who identifies with a gender other than the one assigned at birth |
| Cisgênero | Someone who identifies with the same gender assigned at birth |
| Não-binário | Someone who does not identify as having an exclusive gender |
Disforia de gênero
A discomfort or dissatisfaction with characteristics related to the gender assigned at birth.
Orientação sexual
It is the ability of each individual to feel physical, emotional, or affective attraction for another person.
| Sexual Orientation | Description |
|---|---|
| Heterossexual | Someone who is attracted to the opposite sex |
| Homossexual | Someone who is attracted to the same sex |
| Bissexual | Someone who is attracted to both sexes |
| Assexual | Someone who is not attracted to anyone, regardless of their gender identity or biological sex |
| Pansexual | Someone who is attracted to anyone, regardless of their gender identity or biological sex |
Nome social
It is the name used by transsexual and transvestite individuals while there has been no change in their legal documents.
LGBTQIA+ Vocabulary in Portuguese
| Gay | A man who is attracted to another man |
| Lésbica | A woman who is attracted to another woman |
| Mulher trans | Someone who identifies as female even though they were designated male at birth |
| Homem trans | Someone who identifies as male even though they were designated female at birth |
| Travesti | Someone who was designated male at birth but identifies as a female figure |
| Drag Queen | Temporary performance that has no connection to sexual orientation or gender identity |
| Queer | An adjective used for people who identify with all sexual orientations and genders |
Note: For many years, the term Travesti had a pejorative meaning behind it. It was used for marginalized people, who usually worked in prostitution. However, recently the term has been re-signified, becoming a proud label for many transvestites.
LGBTQIA+ Brazilians
Learn about some LGBTQIA+ Brazilians who are successful in Brazil; check out our Instagram post below:
If you enjoyed learning LGBTQIA+ vocabulary in Portuguese and would like to see more tips for studying the language, check the Learn the Portuguese Language and Portuguese Grammar
