“LGBTQ+” is an initialism that stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus -- meaning encompassing all other gender and sexuality minorities. It is an umbrella term, originating in the United States, broadly referring to all sexualities, romantic orientations, sex characteristics, and gender identities that are not heterosexual or cisgender. We chose to use this term for our guide because of its popularity, but the exact makeup of the initialism is the subject of ongoing debate. To learn more, see the Wikipedia article on the LGBTQ initialism. 

Smith College Special Collections recognizes the limitations of certain terms, such as the exclusionary nature of the initialism LGBTQ+ and other subject headings, noting that names and terms used in our records may be inadequate or misleading. In your research, you may come across terms or slurs that are dated or triggering, whether they are being used in a derogatory manner towards the queer community or in a manner where a queer individual/community is embracing the term to reclaim it. While Smith College Special Collections archivists are working to mitigate harmful language, these subject headings currently provide a way to isolate records when searching. 

This guide focuses on materials that relate to the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities including other gender and sexual minorities, intersex, and asexual individuals. The guide uses these terms as they are defined by the Homosaurus, an international linked data vocabulary of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) terms. Please see their website for the exact definitions.