LGBTQ people are individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning. Many variants of the initialism are used; LGBTQIA+ people incorporates intersex, asexual, aromantic, agender, and other individuals. The group is generally conceived as broadly encompassing all individuals who are part of a sexual or gender minority.

Scope and terminology

LGBTQ people express a broad array of sexual and gender minority identities. The alternative umbrella gender, sexual, and romantic minorities is sometimes used for this group.

Groups that blend into the larger LGBTQ population include:

• People with a sexual orientation that is non-heterosexual, including lesbians, gay men, bisexual people, and asexual people
• People who are transgender or non-binary
• People who are aromantic
• People who are intersex
• Queer people, sometimes used as an synonym for LGBTQ people generally, sometimes as a specific identity

Common variations of the initialism include LGBT, LGBT+, LGBTQ+, and LGBTQIA+.

Community

LGBTQ people may participate in the LGBTQ community, which may be defined by shared LGBTQ culture, by shared geography (such as gay villages), or by participation in LGBTQ-focused organizations. The LGBTQ community includes elements such as LGBTQ social movements (including LGBTQ rights organizations), LGBTQ student groups in schools and universities, and LGBTQ-affirming religious groups. LGBTQ activists and sociologists see LGBTQ community-building as a counterweight to heterosexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, sexualism, and other conformist pressures that exist in the larger society. Not all LGBTQ people consider themselves part of the LGBTQ community.