Words by MARTINE AAMODT HESS
Labels can be liberating once you know them, but they can also be confusing. Every issue of FRUITY will provide you with a guide to useful terminology so you will not have to reach for Urban Dictionary when discussing queerness.
Ally
Non-binary
Bisexuality
Out
Cisgender (cis)
Pronoun
Dyke
Queer
Fruity
Sexual orientation
Gay TikTok
U-haul
Do not identify as queer but stand with the community, support LGBT+ rights and educate themselves.
Attraction to two or more genders. A misconception is that it refers to men and women but it can be any gender.
Opposed to someone who is trans, a cisgender person identifies with the sex they were assigned at birth.
A slur, usually used about masculine-presenting lesbians, that have been reclaimed by the community.
Describes a member of the LGBT+ community. A slur that has been reclaimed by Gay TikTok.
Content made by and for queer people on TikTok. It can be informational, inspirational and comedic.
Do not identify with the gender binary. Instead, they can identify as male and female, neither or fluid.
Being open about sexuality, whether to family or co-workers. An alternative often preferred to “openly gay”.
Replaces a noun in a sentence and can therefore communicate gender identity. Example: she/they.
An umbrella term often used about people whose gender and/or sexuality does not fit the “norm”.
Refers to attraction (can be sexual, romantic and emotional). Should not be mistaken for gender identity.
Stereotype about lesbians getting serious and moving in together shortly after starting to date.
Heteronormativity Womxn The concept that heterosexuality is preferred or “normal” because that is what we are socialised to believe.
A much-debated alternative to “woman”. Used to remove the term from its patriarchal origins.
Intersex
Yassification
Generally used to describe someone born with anatomy that cannot be categorised as “male” or “female”.
A viral trend in the community. Heavily edited photos (makeup, airbrush, glamour) mocking influencer culture.
FRUITY ISSUE 1
A B C
REGULAR STRAP
The queer
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