Ok, so we know some of you don't happen to know what all of our fancy acronyms and/or terms mean. Luckily, this glossary is here to help. Here are several of the terms we use, in no particular order:

LGBTQ: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning. This is the 'short' version. You may also see LGBTTQQISA which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transexual, Queer, Questioning, Intersex Straight Alliance.

GSA: Gay-Straight Alliance. SAFE is a Gay-Straight Alliance, registered through Basic Rights Oregon.

BRO: Basic Rights Oregon

PFLAG: Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays

SMYRC: The Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center

OQYC: Oregon Queer Youth Conference. This conference is annual, and is hosted here at Catlin. The conference was formely organized by Basic Rights Oregon and but is now organized by a bunch of students and adults from a variety of groups who care about the community.

Homophobia: The fear, hatred or dislike of LGBTQ people!

Ally: Someone who is either straight, or non-declaring who supports the LGBTQ Community.

Lesbian: A homosexual woman. A woman who is attracted to other women.

Gay: A homosexual man. A man who is attracted to other men.

Bisexual: Someone who is attracted to both men and women.

Transgender: A person who feels that their biological gender is not their real gender.

Homosexual: Someone who is attracted to the same sex.

Straight: A heterosexual. Someone who is attracted to those of the opposite biological gender to themselves.

Questioning: Some one who isn't sure of their sexual identity.

Queer: An umbrella term, "queer" is used to describe LGBTQ people. Some people consider themselves "Queer" but not "Gay". Often this word is thought of as duragatory, so use it carefully.