![Kayla and James](/news/images/pride-group-tiger-m.jpg)
Finding identity, belonging, support
How three LGBTQIA+ Tigers found their communities, claimed their identities and discovered ways to thrive.
Recognizing the courageous, continued path toward equality as well as a beautiful culture of love and acceptance.
Unearthing TU’s LGBTQIA+ history honors the advocates who fought for recognition and rights, deepens our appreciation for the community we enjoy today and inspires us to support the journeys of those who come next.
This page is a celebration of the unique identities and shared community that comprises LGBTQIA+ culture at TU. You’ll find ways to deepen your understanding about the community, tap into support services and resources, and connect with community members through events, organizations and more. You’ll also hear words of wisdom from queer faculty, staff and students themselves, because advice from those who came before can be a powerful guidepost along your own path forward.
TU’s queer community spans the full spectrum of LGBTQIA+ experiences. Community groups and events help you find a chosen family to accept and support you through whatever stage of the journey you’re on. From celebratory parades to one-on-one mentoring to hands-on advocacy, we welcome the unique talents and viewpoints you bring.
“ It’s exciting to know there’s this whole group of people that have lived through similar experiences. I love the sense of safety and community it gives. ”
How three LGBTQIA+ Tigers found their communities, claimed their identities and discovered ways to thrive.
Samuel Smith's research on intimate partner violence is helping him advocate for victim-survivors.
Experiencing injustice inspired Allyson DeMaagd to create opportunities for inclusion and belonging.
We are all on a lifelong journey of growth and evolution. We celebrate the right to identify ourselves on our own terms, and to change those terms if and when we change. An abridged glossary is provided below to enhance our understanding of some of the ways individuals may identify. A can be found through The Annie E. Casey Foundation.
“ Being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community means being a part of a long-time, ongoing and ever-evolving push to create an expansive and more just world. I take immense pride in the history of that struggle and the way we are always seeking ways to grow our understanding of different lived experiences. ”
Describes a perÂson who does not idenÂtiÂfy as male or female or some comÂbiÂnaÂtion of male and female. Some agenÂder indiÂvidÂuÂals see themÂselves as genÂderÂless, while othÂers see themselves as gender neutral.
Describes a perÂson who is not sexÂuÂalÂly attractÂed to othÂers and has no desire to engage in sexÂuÂal behavÂior. AsexÂuÂalÂiÂty difÂfers from celibaÂcy in that a perÂson who is celiÂbate is sexÂuÂalÂly attractÂed to othÂers but choosÂes to abstain from sex. AsexÂuÂal is sometimes abbreÂviÂatÂed as ​ał¦±đ.
Describes a perÂson who has two genÂders. PeoÂple who are bigenÂder may expeÂriÂence two genÂder idenÂtiÂties at the same time or at difÂferÂent times. These genÂder idenÂtiÂties can be binaÂry, like male and female, or can include nonÂbiÂnaÂry identities.
Describes a perÂson whose genÂder idenÂtiÂty matchÂes the sex — male or female — origÂiÂnalÂly idenÂtiÂfied on their birth cerÂtifiÂcate (i.e., peoÂple who are not transÂgenÂder). CisÂgenÂder, which is proÂnounced sis-genÂder, describes only a person’s genÂder idenÂtiÂty — not their sexÂuÂal or romanÂtic attracÂtions. Sometimes, cisÂgenÂder is abbreÂviÂatÂed as ​cis in casuÂal conversation.
Describes a perÂson whose genÂder expresÂsion or genÂder idenÂtiÂty — or both — changes over time. Not everyÂone whose genÂder idenÂtiÂty or expresÂsion changes idenÂtiÂfies as genÂder fluid.
Describes not identifying as of or for a parÂticÂuÂlar genÂder. The term is often used to describe spaces and objects, such as gender-neutral or all-gender bathrooms. May also describe people who idenÂtiÂfy as genÂder neuÂtral and don’t subÂscribe to genÂder stereoÂtypes.
Describes a perÂson who does not adhere to the traÂdiÂtionÂal expecÂtaÂtions — in terms of their appearÂance or behavÂior — of their assigned genÂder. Some of these indiÂvidÂuÂals idenÂtiÂfy as transÂgenÂder but othÂers, for examÂple, masÂcuÂline lesÂbians, do not.
Describes a person, often of South Asian descent, who was registered as male at birth but who identifies as female or as neither male nor female.
Describes one's sexual and romantic orientation as well as their gender identity and expression as they both relate to one's identity as an Indigenous person.
Describes a perÂson born with sex charÂacÂterÂisÂtics that are not typÂiÂcal for male or female bodÂies. Sex charÂacÂterÂisÂtics are physÂiÂcal feaÂtures relatÂing to sex — includÂing chroÂmoÂsomes, genÂiÂtals, horÂmones and othÂer reproÂducÂtive anatoÂmy — as well as secÂondary feaÂtures that emerge from puberÂty. InterÂsex is an umbrelÂla term, and interÂsex charÂacÂterÂisÂtics and traits are not always apparÂent or idenÂtiÂfied at birth. The ​“I” in the longer verÂsion of LGBTQ (LGBTQIA+) stands for intersex.
Describes a queer person who is typically (but not always) assigned female at birth and who presents masculinely.
Describes a perÂson who does not idenÂtiÂfy as excluÂsiveÂly male or excluÂsiveÂly female and usuÂalÂly prefers​ they as a proÂnoun. Enby is the phoÂnetÂic proÂnunÂciÂaÂtion of ​NB, which stands for nonÂbiÂnaÂry. Not all nonÂbiÂnaÂry indiÂvidÂuÂals preÂfer or use this term.
Describes a perÂson who is attractÂed to, or has the potenÂtial to be attractÂed to, peoÂple of any genÂder or genÂder idenÂtiÂty. This attracÂtion can be emoÂtionÂal or physical.
An adjecÂtive used by some peoÂple whose sexÂuÂal oriÂenÂtaÂtion is not excluÂsiveÂly hetÂeroÂsexÂuÂal. Queer was once used as a pejoÂraÂtive term and has been reclaimed by some — but not all — memÂbers of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Describes a perÂson who is still disÂcovÂerÂing and explorÂing their sexÂuÂal oriÂenÂtaÂtion, genÂder idenÂtiÂty, genÂder expresÂsion or some comÂbiÂnaÂtion thereÂof. Using this term enables an indiÂvidÂual to idenÂtiÂfy as part of the LGBTQIA+ comÂmuÂniÂty while avoidÂing othÂer labels and recÂogÂnizÂing that their process of self-idenÂtiÂÂfiÂÂcaÂÂtion is still underway.
Describes a person's romantic attraction regardless of sexual orientation. Examples include:
Definition adapted from the LGBT Center at UNC-Chapel Hill
Describes a perÂson who idenÂtiÂfies as havÂing both a masÂcuÂline and a femÂiÂnine spirÂit. It is to describe their sexÂuÂal, genÂder and/​or spirÂiÂtuÂal idenÂtiÂty. It may encomÂpass same-sex attracÂtion and also include relaÂtionÂships that could be conÂsidÂered poly.
Definitions adapted from
Rating from Campus Pride Index, the highest rating possible.
LGBTQ+-friendly college in the U.S., as named by Campus Pride.
U.S. Â鶹´«Ă˝ with a Campus Pride Sports Index rating of 4.5 or higher.