2SLGBTQIA+ is an inclusive acronym for Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual communities, with the plus sign representing additional gender identities, gender expressions and sexual orientations. It is widely used to represent a diverse spectrum of sexual and gender minorities, acknowledging Indigenous Two-Spirit identities first.
Breakdown of 2SLGBTQIA+
- 2S (Two-Spirit): A term used by some Indigenous people to describe having both a masculine and feminine spirit, preceding Western definitions of sexuality*.
- L (Lesbian): A woman attracted to other women.
- G (Gay): A person attracted to people of the same gender.
- B (Bisexual): A person attracted to people of the same and different genders.
- T (Transgender): A person whose gender identity differs from the gender typically associated with their sex assigned at birth.
- Q (Queer): A broad term for sexual/gender minorities, or someone in the process of exploring their sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or gender expression.
- I (Intersex): A person with sex characteristics that do not fit typical definitions of male or female bodies.
- A (Asexual): A person who experiences little or no sexual attraction to others.
- + (Plus): Represents other sexual and gender identities and expressions, such as pansexual, agender, and gender-nonconforming.
*The shift to placing “2S” at the beginning is a move toward anti-colonialism and recognizing the unique, historic role of Indigenous identities.
The acronym is crucial for highlighting the need for safety, as many in this community have historically experienced oppression.
Why The Acronym Keeps Changing
1. Because the community it describes isn’t static
Human identity isn’t a fixed museum exhibit. As language, culture, and self‑understanding evolve, people discover more precise ways to describe their experiences. The acronym expands to reflect that reality rather than freeze it in time.
2. Because visibility follows language, not the other way around
Groups like intersex people, asexual people, or Two‑Spirit people have always existed. What changes is whether society has the vocabulary to acknowledge them. When a term becomes widely understood, it gets added — not to complicate things but to correct historical erasure.
3. Because umbrella terms inevitably stretch
Any coalition that spans multiple identities will periodically renegotiate how it names itself. Think of it like a growing company updating its org chart: the structure changes because the membership changes.
4. Because inclusion is a political act
Adding letters is a way of saying: “You are a part of this community.” For groups that have been marginalized even within queer spaces, being named is a form of protection and recognition.
5. Because language is a living system
Every living language adapts to new realities. We don’t use the same words for technology, medicine, or social roles that we used 50 years ago. Identity language follows the same pattern — it updates as understanding deepens.
6. Because no single acronym can perfectly capture human diversity
The acronym is a shorthand, not a definition. It will always be imperfect and therefore always in motion. The changes aren’t a sign of confusion — they’re a sign of refinement.
Who “decides” the 2SLGBTQIA+ acronym?
There is no central authority, no governing body, and no official committee. The acronym grows and shifts because:
- Different communities prioritise different identities. Activists, scholars, youth groups, and cultural communities all emphasise different letters.
- Language evolves faster than institutions. New identities gain visibility (e.g., intersex, asexual, aromantic, Two-Spirit), and the acronym expands to reflect that.
- Coalition-building is messy by design. The acronym is a coalition label, not a taxonomy. Coalitions grow, renegotiate, and reframe themselves over time.
- Media, NGOs, and governments adopt versions inconsistently. A charity might use LGBTQ+, a university might use LGBTQIA+, a government report might use LGBT. None of these are “official”.
What “gay” actually means – and why it can be inclusive
1. “Gay” has two meanings: a specific one and an umbrella one
In everyday language, gay has always had a dual function:
Specific meaning
- A person who is attracted to people of the same sex.
Umbrella meaning
- A shorthand for the broader queer community, especially in political, cultural, and historical contexts.
This dual usage isn’t new — it’s been around for decades. Think of phrases like gay rights, gay liberation, gay community, gay bars, gay marriage. None of those refer exclusively to men; they refer to the whole movement.
2. “Gay” became the public-facing term during the rights movement
In the 1960s–80s, “gay” was the first widely used, socially recognized term for queer people pushing for rights, safety, and visibility. It became the banner under which lesbians, bisexual people, trans people, drag performers, and gender‑nonconforming people fought together.
The word gained political weight long before the modern acronym existed.
Why the term “gay” was chosen for The Gay Investor Network
A message from Mark James, Founder and CEO of The Gay Investor Network:
I chose the word “gay” because it was the first widely recognised term used to describe the broader queer community during the early rights movements, long before today’s expanded acronyms existed.
In the same way, The Gay Investor Network is the first angel syndicate of its kind – so the name honours that historical lineage.
“Gay” functions here as a flagship term: a nod to the origins of queer liberation, a signal of our values, and a reminder that our mission is rooted in inclusion, not restriction.
The name reflects where the movement began while our membership reflects where it’s going — open to all, especially the full 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the allies who strengthen it.
As a sign of inclusion, no member will be asked their sexual orientation or gender.
Using the word “gay” in our name is a deliberate choice, and it requires a thoughtful balance. On one hand, it honours the historical reality that “gay” was the first widely recognised term for the broader queer community. On the other hand, we operate in a world where identity language has evolved, and our community is far more expansive than any single word can capture. Walking that line means acknowledging legacy while making our commitment to full inclusion explicit.
The name reflects our origins; our membership reflects our values. We centre on queer equity, and we welcome the entire 2SLGBTQIA+ community and the allies who strengthen it.
Why an Ever‑Changing Acronym could make a Poor Institutional Name
Because the acronym is a fluid, evolving coalition label, tying an institutional identity to it could make the brand unstable, harder to recognise, and perpetually out of date. It may also signify exclusion in future if new identities emerge.