LGBTQIA+ Resources
At the College for Creative Studies, students, faculty and staff of all backgrounds and walks of life are welcomed. We value the rich diversity amongst our community members and work collectively to ensure an equitable and inclusive environment for all CCS community members to grow, thrive and learn. We are committed to supporting our LGBTQIA+ community in the best way we can and continue to make strides toward advancing a safe and inclusive college environment.
Below are various CCS and Detroit area resources related to LGBTQIA+ perspectives, including definitions and updated terminology.
CCS Resources
Policies
Blogs
Facilities & Services
Detroit Resources
Terminology & Definitions
Source – Glossary of LGBT Terms for Health Care Teams
Gender and sexuality are a spectrum, and people fall in a variety of places on it. There are many different terms that people use to identify themselves, but some people just choose not to label at all. Here is a breakdown of some of the common terms in the LGBT community. There are also a couple of outdated terms listed and beside it is the new terminology.
Asexual – Describes a person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.
Asexuality is not the same as celibacy.
Bisexual – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually
attracted to people of their own gender and people of other genders.
Cisgender – A person whose gender identity and assigned sex at birth correspond (i.e., a person who is not transgender).
Gay – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually
attracted to people of their own gender. It can be used regardless of gender identity, but is more commonly used to describe men.
Gender Fluid – Describes a person whose gender identity is not fixed. A person who is
gender fluid may always feel like a mix of the two traditional genders, but may feel more one gender some days, and another gender other days.
Heterosexual – A sexual orientation that describes women who are emotionally
and sexually attracted to men, and men who are emotionally and sexually attracted to women.
Lesbian – A sexual orientation that describes a woman who is emotionally and
sexually attracted to other women.
Pansexual – A sexual orientation that describes a person who is emotionally and sexually
attracted to people regardless of gender.
Polyamorous – Describes a person who has or is open to having more than one romantic
or sexual relationship at a time, with the knowledge and consent of all their partners.
Sometimes abbreviated as poly.
Queer – An umbrella term used by some to describe people who think of their sexual
orientation or gender identity as outside of societal norms. Some people view the term queer as more fluid and inclusive than traditional categories for sexual orientation and gender identity. Due to its history as a derogatory term, the term queer is not embraced or used by all members of the LGBT community.
Questioning – Being unsure of your gender identity, being unsure of your sexual orientation, or both. Many people go through a stage of questioning during their lives, sometimes several times. This can be because they learn new words that fit them better, or it can be that their actual feelings of gender or attraction change over time.
Transgender – Describes a person whose gender identity and assigned sex at birth do not correspond. Also used as an umbrella term to include gender identities outside of male and female. Sometimes abbreviated as trans.
Outdated Terms → New Terms
Berdache → Two-Spirit
Hermaphrodite → Intersex
Homosexual → Gay/Lesbian
Sexual preference → Sexual orientation
Transgendered / A transgender / Tranny → Transgender
Sex change → Gender affirmation surgery
LGBTQIA+ Resource Guide
The LGBTQIA+ Resource Guide provides resources that focus on LGBTQIA+ stories, provides up-to-date terminology, organizations and resources on allyship and advocacy. Recognizing CCS’ diverse community, it is vitally important to educate oneself and continue to create tangible steps to support a safe and inclusive campus.
Note – Please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list and there may be other resources available.
Disclaimer – We are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected
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