Understanding sex and sexuality: Your A-Z guide

LGBTIQIA+, F2M and M2F, cis-gender, asexual, non-binary, clitorises, intercourse, testicular – learning the modern language of sex and gender can be a real headache. But in order to better express your own sexuality, and understand the experiences of people around you, it’s important you first understand the lingo. Once you do, you’re able to communicate in non-offensive, inclusive and meaningful ways about the most personal aspects of yourself and others. Without putting your foot in it. Here we break down some of the acronyms and complex terms around sex and gender. So you can feel comfortable joining in the conversation.

A is for...

Asexual: a person without sexual feelings or associations, regardless of gender. More info here.

B is for…

Bisexual: attracted to more than one gender for sexual partners. More info here.

C is for…

Clitoris (or Clit): the (sometimes elusive) female arousal point at the top of the vulva. Fun fact: it’s actually several inches long and what’s known as ‘the clit’ is just the part you can see. Find it here.

D is for…

Dick-pic: a sexually explicit ‘selfie’ sent electronically to another person. More info about consent and sexual harassment here.

E is for…

Erectile dysfunction: the inability to maintain an erection through sexual intercourse. Don’t stress – that’ll make it worse – it’s surprisingly normal. More info here.

F is for…

F2M (aka ‘Female to Male’): this term also works in reverse (M2F) and refers to a transsexual person transitioning to the opposite gender. More info here.

G is for…

Gender: it used to be about which sexy bits you were born with (now termed Cis-Gender), but ‘Gender’ now refers to a range of identities – from non-gender-identifying A-Gender, right through to Gender Fluid. More info here.

H is for…

Homosexual: aka ‘gay, lesbian’ – a person who is sexually attracted to people of their own sex or gender. Check out this timeline of gay rights in Australia.

I is for…

Intersex: a person who is born with reproductive parts that fall beyond the definition of ‘male’ or ‘female’. It’s far more common than you might think. More info here.

J is for…

Joeys: not just baby marsupials, ‘Joeys’ in Australia refers to Condoms. And if you don’t know what these are, how they work and where to get them, it’s time you found out. More info, and FREE CONDOMS, at our confidential Swinburne Health Clinic.

K is for…

KY jelly: just one brand of water-based lubricants that can make Safe Sex all the more pleasurable. Find out more about benefits here.

L is for…

LGBTQIA+: commonly referred to as the ‘Alphabet Community’, this acronym is an umbrella term for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual or other (i.e. +). More info here.

M is for…

Masturbation: no, it won’t make you blind, and self-pleasure or masturbation is a perfectly natural human activity. Fun fact: dolphins do it too. More info here.

N is for…

Non-Binary: any person who doesn’t identify as exclusively male or female. More info here.

O is for…

Orgasm: a feeling of intense pleasure that occurs during sexual activity. More info on what they are and how to get them here.

P is for…

Pronouns: the tiny but important words we use instead of referring to people by name: she/her, he/him etc. Did you know some people prefer the non-gender-specific ‘they’, ‘them’ and ‘their’? If in doubt, ask respectfully. More info here.

Q is for…

Queer: any sexuality or gender identity that is not Cis-Gender/Heterosexual (i.e. more than one in every ten Australians). More info here.

R is for…

Rape: any penetration of another person’s vagina, anus or mouth without consent. Find out more about consent here.

S is for…

Sexual harassment/assault: any unwanted or unwelcome sexual behaviour that makes a person feel uncomfortable, threatened or scared. It’s that simple. More info here.

T is for…

Transgender: any person who does not identify as the gender they were assigned at birth. More info here.

U is for…

Unprotected sex: basically, sex without a condom. And it can be risky. Get more info, and FREE CONDOMS, at our confidential Swinburne Health Clinic.

V is for…

Vagina: aka ‘pussy, hair pie, snatch, muff, fanny, vag, twat or love tunnel’. Whatever you call it, a vagina is a muscular tube leading from the external genitals to the cervix of a woman. And it’s wonderful. More info on anatomy here.

W is for…

Wang: aka ‘penis (anatomically correct), dick, knob, dong, snake, doodle or love muscle’. Whatever you call it, a penis is the male genital organ used for transferring sperm during copulation. And it’s also wonderful. More info on anatomy here.

X is for…

X-Rated: a common term referring to video or photographs of a sexually explicit nature. In Australia, it can be legal to access it, but it’s often illegal to buy or sell it, and Revenge Porn is NEVER OK. More info here.

Y is for…

You: your gender identity, your sexuality, your DNA, your body, your spirituality, your personality, your individuality. In Australia, no one can touch you without your consent, and no one can discriminate against you for your inherent qualities. Know your rights, and be empowered to use them.

Z is for…

Ze/Zir: non-gender-specific pronouns (see above) preferred by many transgender and non-binary people within the LGBTQIA+ Community. For tips on how to speak inclusively, watch this.