SJSU Student Experience Before AIDS Timeline

Words Matter!

Our terminology: When looking at these events in a historical context, the terminology we use can say a lot. LGBTQ+ culture has a long history, and terms have not always meant what they do today. We decided to use the language that these groups used to describe themselves.

• LGBTQ+ and ‘Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual’ instead of Queer
• “Gay” as an umbrella term instead of “Queer”

To learn more about LGBTQ terminology we recommend the site HRC Glossary of Terms