LGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym that stands for:

• L – Lesbian
• G – Gay
• B – Bisexual
• T – Transgender
• Q – Queer and/or Questioning
• I – Intersex
• A – Asexual and/or Aromantic
• + – Other diverse sexualities, gender identities, and bodily variations not specifically listed.

The “+” is an important reminder that language is evolving, and no single acronym can encompass the full spectrum of identities and experiences.

Different communities, organisations, and regions may use variations such as LGBTQ, LGBTQI, LGBTIQ+, or LGBT+.

• Cultural relevance: Some communities include terms that are specific to their context, for example “Two-Spirit” in North America or “Sistergirl” and “Brotherboy” in Australia.
• Practicality vs. inclusivity: Shorter acronyms may be easier to say but risk leaving out important identities. Longer acronyms are more inclusive but can be less widely recognised.
• Evolving language: As awareness grows, terms may be added or adapted to better reflect lived experiences.

Sistergirls and Brotherboys are terms used by some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe gender diverse identities within their cultures:

• Sistergirls are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are assigned male at birth but live as women, including transgender women and those with a female spirit.
• Brotherboys are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are assigned female at birth but live as men, including transgender men and those with a male spirit.

These terms are deeply rooted in culture, kinship, and community, and have meanings that extend beyond Western understandings of gender and sexuality. Using these terms respectfully means recognising their cultural significance and not applying them outside of their cultural context.

Two-Spirit is a term used by some Indigenous peoples in North America to describe a person who embodies both masculine and feminine spirits, or who takes on culturally specific gender roles. Like Sistergirl and Brotherboy, it is a culturally-specific identity that cannot be directly translated into Western LGBTQIA+ categories.

The key similarities:

• Both are Indigenous terms that reflect unique understandings of gender and sexuality.
• Both connect gender identity with spiritual, cultural, and community roles.
• Both require respectful, context-aware usage and should not be used as umbrella terms for non-Indigenous people.

• Ask communities first: Use the terms people use for themselves.
• Be transparent: If using an acronym like LGBTQIA+, explain what it means and why you’ve chosen it.
• Include culturally specific identities: Where relevant, explicitly name Sistergirls, Brotherboys, and other local terms alongside the acronym.
• Avoid tokenism: Don’t just list terms; include them in the work, priorities, and decision-making of your organisation.

Our organisation works across diverse cultural and legal contexts, including refugee and humanitarian settings where awareness and acceptance of certain identities can vary greatly. While we absolutely recognise and support asexual, aromantic, and related identities, in some advocacy and policy contexts — particularly where our primary focus is on urgent safety and resettlement needs — we may use a shorter acronym such as LGBTQI+ to ensure clarity, avoid misunderstanding, and focus on the categories most recognised in legal or program frameworks.

Where possible and safe, we use the full LGBTQIA+ acronym, and in all cases, our commitment to inclusion remains the same — even if every letter isn’t explicitly listed.