What Does LGBTQIAPK Stand For?

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Learn all the essential terms in the queer community

Co-authored by Janice Tieperman Reviewed by Allison Broennimann, PhD

Last Updated: April 26, 2025 Fact Checked

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Meaning

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Similar Acronyms

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Other LGBTQ+ Terminology

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Q&A

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The LGBTQ+ vernacular is constantly expanding and evolving, which is especially apparent when it comes to an acronym sometimes used within the queer community: LGBTQIAPK. LGBTQIAPK stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual/Polyamorous, and Kink. Although polyamorous and kink aren't inherently LGBTQIA+ terms that refer to gender or sexual identity, some people still include them in the acronym. We'll break each part of this acronym down for you so you can stay informed (and know if any of these terms are right for you).

Things You Should Know

LGBTQIAPK stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual/Polyamorous, and Kink.
2SLGBTQI+ is a common acronym used in Canada that stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex.
LGBTQQIP2SAA stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Androgynous, and Asexual.

Section 1 of 3:

LGBTQIAPK Meaning

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L: Lesbian The term lesbian refers to women who experience attraction solely toward other women. Non-binary individuals (people who don’t identify within the male/female binary) can also identify as lesbian.^{[1]
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- Wondering if you might identify with this term? Take a look at wikiHow’s “Am I a Lesbian” quiz to see where you stand.
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G: Gay The term gay traditionally refers to men who are attracted solely to other men; however, it can also be used as an umbrella term for both gay men and lesbians. Some non-binary individuals also feel most comfortable using this label.^{[2]
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- Unsure if this label resonates with you? Check out wikiHow’s “Am I Gay” quiz to learn more.
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B: Bisexual The word bisexual (commonly abbreviated as “bi”) refers to a person who experiences attraction to more than one gender identity. Some research suggests that bisexuals are the largest group within the gay, lesbian, and bi communities.^{[3]
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- Wondering if "bisexual" could be the right label for you? Take a deeper dive with wikiHow’s “Am I Bisexual” quiz.
The term transgender (often abbreviated as “trans”) refers to an individual whose gender identity doesn’t align with the sex they were born as. This also includes people who don’t identify within the gender binary, such as non-binary individuals.^{[4]
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Q: Queer or Questioning Originally used as a slur, many in the LGBTQ+ community have since reclaimed the word “queer” as an umbrella term for sexual orientations and gender identities that don’t fit the heterosexual and cisgender (identifying as the same sex you were born as) mold.^{[5]
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Research source} The Q in LGBTQIAPK can also stand for “questioning,” which includes any individual who is uncertain about and potentially exploring their sexuality and/or gender identity.^{[6]
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- Want to get a better read on what your sexuality might be? Check out wikiHow's Sexuality Quiz or Kinsey Scale Test to take a closer look.
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I: Intersex Intersex is a label used for people whose genitalia, reproductive organs, and genetic characteristics aren't distinctly male or female. Being intersex is completely separate from one’s sexuality and gender identity, and it has no sway on whether you’re straight, queer, or trans.^{[7]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- At the end of the day, sex revolves around your physical characteristics when you’re born, while gender is an entirely social construct.
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A: Asexual Asexual (often abbreviated as “ace”) individuals experience a lack of sexual attraction. The ace identity ultimately exists on a spectrum—some people are completely opposed to the idea of having sex, while others are open to it in certain circumstances.^{[8]
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Research source} Some labels that ace individuals prefer to use include:
- Gray-asexual: You can sometimes experience sexual attraction, and fall somewhere between the label of asexual and allosexual (a person who desires to have sex).^{[9]
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- Demisexual: You only experience sexual attraction after developing a deep emotional connection with someone beforehand.^{[10]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
- Aceflux: You shift between asexual and allosexual OR you feel shifts in the intensity/strength of your sexual attraction.^{[11]
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- Not sure if you might fall somewhere on the asexual spectrum? Try taking wikiHow’s “Am I Asexual?” or “Am I Demisexual?” quizzes.
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P: Pansexual or Polyamorous Pansexual describes individuals who are attracted to people from all gender identities and sexes.^{[12]
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Research source} On a completely different note, the “P” in LGBTQIAPK can also stand for polyamorous, or people who are in relationships with multiple consensual partners.^{[13]
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- Polyamory isn't inherent to the LGBTQ+ community and doesn't refer to a gender or sexual orientation. Not all members of the LGBTQ+ community include it in the main acronym.
- Wondering if pansexual or polyamorous could be good labels for you? Head over to wikiHow’s “Am I Pansexual?” or “Am I Polyamorous?” quizzes.
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K: Kink Kink is an umbrella term for any sexual interests and practices that deviate from the sexual norm. Kink can revolve around roleplaying different scenes, catering to a specific fantasy, and much more.^{[14]
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Trustworthy Source

LGBTQIA Resource Center
The LGBTQIA Resource Center of the University of California, Davis.

Go to source} From a historical perspective, the subversive nature of kink allowed LGBTQ+ individuals to create communities and subcultures that helped them fight back against rigid and unaccepting societal norms.^{[15]
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- Like polyamory, kink isn't inherently part of the LGBTQ+ community and doesn't describe a gender or sexuality; because of this, not all members of the LGBTQ+ community add it to the acronym.

Section 2 of 3:

Similar Acronyms

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1
2SLGBTQI+ This is a common acronym that the Canadian government uses in reference to the queer community—it stands for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex. The + sign offers flexibility and inclusion to people who use different labels to describe their sexuality and/or gender identity.^{[16]
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Research source} “Two-Spirit” is an umbrella term used to describe the intricate ways different indigenous communities culturally approach gender roles and gender identity.^{[17]
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- Historically speaking, many tribes have approached gender roles and gender identity in a much more open way than Western society—for instance, in Navajo culture, the term “Nádleehi” refers to a fluid type of gender role with both masculine and feminine energy.
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LGBTQQIP2SAA Similar to other LGBT acronyms, this term stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning/, Intersex, Pansexual, Two-Spirit, Androgynous, and Asexual.^{[18]
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Research source} The term “androgynous” refers to a person who identifies and/or dresses in a way that isn’t distinctly feminine or masculine.^{[19]
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- A similar acronym, LGBTQIA2S+, stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or gender expansive, Queer or questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit.^{[20]
  X
  Research source} The + sign incorporates other identities not represented in the base label.
SOGI is shorthand for Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, and encompasses terms like lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expression, and so on.

Section 3 of 3:

Other LGBTQ+ Terminology

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Sexuality Your sexuality refers to the type of people they’re attracted to and want to date. You can define it with a wide variety of labels, including gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, and so on.^{[21]
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- Sexuality is very fluid and isn’t often black and white—you might fall into a gray area.^{[22]
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  Kelli Miller, LCSW, MSW
  Psychotherapist
  
  Expert Interview}
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Gender identity Your gender identity is the way you personally view your own gender, and is separate from the biological sex assigned to you at birth.^{[23]
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Research source} You use pronouns (e.g., she/her, he/him, they/them, etc.) to represent your gender identity. Some common terms associated with gender identity include:
- Cisgender (or “cis”) A person whose assigned sex at birth lines up with their gender identity.
- Transgender (or “trans”): A person whose assigned sex at birth differs from their gender identity.
- Non-binary: A person whose gender identity falls outside of the male/female binary.
- Agender: A person who does not align themselves with a specific gender identity.^{[24]
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- Genderqueer: An umbrella term for a person whose gender identity falls outside gender norms and binaries. This term can overlap with other gender identity labels like non-binary and agender.^{[25]
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Gender expression Gender expression refers to the way you present yourself in society in relation to your gender identity. This could involve acting a certain way, wearing certain types of clothing, adjusting your voice, and so on.^{[26]
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- For example, a person might change their name to something that better fits their gender identity, or use body language that’s perceived as more feminine or masculine.^{[27]
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Aromantic Aromantic (often called “aro”) individuals don’t often feel romantic attraction toward other people. Like the asexual community, aro individuals fall on a spectrum—some might experience romantic feelings in certain circumstances, while others might not experience those feelings at all.^{[28]
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Research source} Some people on the aro spectrum prefer to use labels like:
- Grayromantic: You don’t feel romantic attraction very often.^{[29]
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- Recipromantic: You only feel romantically attracted to someone after learning that said person is attracted to them first.^{[30]
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- Aroflux: Your sense of romantic attraction can shift in some way from aromantic to alloromantic (experiencing romantic attraction) OR your sense of attraction shifts on the aro spectrum.^{[31]
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- Cupioromantic: You don’t feel romantic attraction to others but still want to be part of a romantic partnership.^{[32]
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- Wondering if you might be aromantic? Take a closer look with wikiHow’s “Am I Aromantic?” quiz.

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What emojis represent the LGBTQ+ community?

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The LGBTQ+ emojis include 👩‍❤️‍💋‍👩 and 👩‍❤️‍👩 for lesbian couples, 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 and 👨‍❤️‍👨 for gay male couples, 🏳‍🌈 for the rainbow flag symbolizing the LGBTQ+ community, and 🏳️‍⚧️ for the transgender pride flag. The ⚧️ represents the transgender symbol, 👭 and 👬 show two girls or guys holding hands, and various family emojis like 👨‍👨‍👦 or 👩‍👩‍👧 can depict same-sex couples with children. Other emojis like 🤼‍♂️ and 👯‍♀️ can symbolize camaraderie between same-gender individuals, and 🧑🧒🧓 are used for people of unspecified gender identity.

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At what age can you know for sure you are asexual?

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There is no specific age. If you feel you are ace now, then you probably are. Sexuality can change naturally over time, however.

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Want to learn more about sexuality and gender identity? Check out resources like GLAAD, The Trevor Project, Planned Parenthood, and the CDC.

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Not totally certain if you identify as queer or straight? Check out wikiHow’s “Kinsey Scale Test” and “Am I Straight?” quizzes for some extra insights.

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