LGBTQI+ glossary: 8 terms you should know

Gay/bi man of robust build with body hair, generally identified with a masculine aesthetic and its own subculture (Bear Week events in Sitges and Provincetown, Mad.Bear in Madrid). Family of variants: cub (younger), otter (lean and hairy), wolf (in-between), chaser (attracted to bears without being one).

Young, slim, beardless man — aesthetic associated with youth and soft androgyny. Historically overrepresented in mainstream gay porn and advertising. Variants: twunk (muscular twink).

Performance art that exaggerates gender codes (drag queen = exaggerates the feminine; drag king = exaggerates the masculine). Does not imply the performer's everyday gender identity — it's a stage discipline with centuries of history. Global mainstream since RuPaul's Drag Race (2009).

Subculture developed in the 70s in Harlem (House of LaBeija founded in 1972), expanded in the 80s, mostly queer, racialized and Latinx. The houses are chosen families that compete in balls with categories of performance, fashion and voguing (dance style invented in the 70s). Documented in Paris is Burning (1990) and Pose (2018).

Stonewall riots (New York, June 28 1969) — police raid on the Stonewall Inn bar that triggered days of spontaneous LGBTQI+ community protests. Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, two racialized trans women present at the riots, emerged as prominent figures of the movement that followed (STAR founders in 1970). Turning point of modern LGBTQI+ activism and the origin of the Pride marches held every June.

Person whose gender identity matches the sex assigned at birth. Opposite of trans. Not a political label — descriptive term equivalent to heterosexual (it names a majority that historically didn't name itself).

Stonewall commemorative march (last Sunday of June in the US; dates vary by country for climate or local-calendar reasons). Combines public celebration, political activism and, depending on the city, a full cultural agenda (concerts, fairs, themed days). MADO Madrid, CSD Berlin and Pride NY are among the world's largest.

Personal process of making one's orientation or identity public before family, friends or environment. Not a single event — most LGBTQI+ people come out many times across their lives (every new job, circle, country). In hostile contexts it can have real consequences (family, housing, work); in welcoming contexts it remains emotionally costly.