Affirmative Therapy: A therapeutic approach that validates and supports LGBTQ individuals' identities and experiences, creating a safe and supportive environment for exploration and growth.

Allyship: The practice of actively supporting and advocating for LGBTQ individuals, communities, and rights. Allies play a crucial role in promoting LGBTQ mental health and well-being by challenging stigma, discrimination, and prejudice.

Bi Erasure: The dismissal of bisexuality as a valid sexual orientation, where the experiences, identities, and relationships of individuals attracted to more than one gender are minimized, overlooked, or denied. It manifests through assumptions that bisexuality is a phase, reinforcement of a gay/straight binary, erasure within LGBTQ+ spaces and media representation, and invalidation of relationships. This phenomenon contributes to feelings of invisibility, invalidation, and self-doubt among bisexual individuals, exacerbating mental health challenges and hindering access to support and affirming spaces. 

Coming Out: The process through which LGBTQ individuals reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity to others, which can be a significant and ongoing experience affecting mental health. Coming out can be an ongoing process for LGBTQ individuals over the course of their lives depending on where they live and their circumstances (work, family, religion, social life).

Conversion Therapy: A harmful and highly discredited practice that attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity through psychological or religious interventions. Conversion therapy is widely condemned by mental health professionals and the research consistently shows that it is completely ineffective and leads to increased anxiety, depression, suicidality, and more. 

Gender Dysphoria: The distress or discomfort experienced by individuals whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender dysphoria can lead to significant emotional distress and may require mental health support.

Internalized Homophobia/Transphobia: The internalization of negative societal attitudes and beliefs about homosexuality or transgender identity. Internalized homophobia/transphobia can lead to feelings of shame, self-hatred, and low self-esteem, contributing to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Intersectionality: The recognition that an individual's identity is shaped by multiple intersecting factors, such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. Intersectionality acknowledges the complexity of identity and the unique mental health challenges faced by individuals with intersecting marginalized identities.

Microaggressions: Subtle, often unintentional forms of discrimination or invalidation experienced by LGBTQ individuals in their daily interactions. Microaggressions can have a cumulative effect on mental health and contribute to feelings of alienation, invisibility, and self-doubt.

Minority Stress: The unique stressors experienced by LGBTQ individuals as a result of societal prejudice, discrimination, and stigma. Minority stress can contribute to mental health disparities, including higher rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse within the LGBTQ community.

Queer-Competent Care: Healthcare services that are sensitive to the needs of LGBTQ individuals and provided by professionals who are knowledgeable about LGBTQ identities and issues. Queer-competent care can improve access to mental health services and reduce disparities in care for LGBTQ individuals.

Transphobia: Prejudice, discrimination, or negative attitudes toward transgender individuals, often rooted in fear or misunderstanding of gender diversity. Transphobia can negatively impact the mental health and well-being of transgender individuals, contributing to stress, anxiety, and depression.