What Does The + Mean In Lgbtq+

Okay, so. You’ve seen the acronym. LGBTQ+.

You know the L, G, B, T, and Q. But that little plus sign? It’s sitting there like an unopened present at a party everyone else already got into. What is it? Is it a secret handshake? A cheat code for human existence? (Sometimes, yes.)

Let’s break this down like we’re splitting a slice of cake. The plus sign is basically the community’s way of saying: “We see you too.” It’s an umbrella. A big, sparkly, rainbow umbrella that covers everyone who isn’t already named in the first five letters. Think of it as the VIP section where the bouncer always lets you in, no matter how you dress.

Why do we even need a plus? Isn’t the alphabet long enough?

Great question! Honestly, the full acronym could be a page-long novel. We’re talking about asexual folks, pansexual souls, non-binary legends, intersex humans, genderqueer wizards—the list goes on. Adding every single identity to the main acronym would make it look like someone sneezed on a keyboard. Qwertyasdfgbt? No thank you.

The plus is a practical solution. It’s the friend who says, “Don’t worry, I’ll hold the door open for everyone behind me.” It keeps the acronym short enough to fit on a bumper sticker, but open enough to include literally anyone who feels like they don’t fit into neat little boxes.

Wait, so is it just a catch-all? A bit lazy, no?

Nope. Not lazy. More like intentionally welcoming. Think about it: if you try to write down every identity, you’ll inevitably miss someone. And that hurts. The plus sign is an apology in advance. It says, “We know we can’t list everyone, so here’s a space that belongs to you.”

It’s like saying, “You are valid, even if you haven’t figured out the exact label yet.” And trust me—for a lot of people, that’s the first time they’ve ever heard that. It’s magic.

What kind of folks live in the plus sign? Give me the juicy gossip.

Oh, it’s a wild and wonderful party. Let’s introduce a few regulars.

Ace and Aro folks? They’re here. That’s for asexual (little to no sexual attraction) and aromantic (little to no romantic attraction). They get overlooked a lot, but the plus sign pulls up a chair for them. They’re like the chill friends who just vibe and eat snacks without drama.

Pansexual? The “hearts not parts” squad. They’re attracted to people regardless of gender. They laugh at gender norms while sipping coffee. Iconic.

Non-binary and genderfluid? They literally live inside the plus sign. They’re the ones who remind us that gender isn’t just two colors—it’s the entire paint aisle at a hardware store. They’re the reason bathrooms should have a third door that plays disco music.

Intersex people? Born with physical sex characteristics that don’t fit typical definitions of male or female. They’ve been erased from the conversation for way too long. The plus sign makes sure they’re front and center.

And then there’s everyone else: two-spirit (a term used by some Indigenous cultures), questioning folks (the brave souls still figuring it out), and anyone else who feels like a Q should be a whole letter to themselves.

Is the plus sign trying to take over the world?

Yes. But in a good way. Like a fluffy bunny taking over a field of carrots.

The plus sign is a philosophical statement. It says that human identity is infinite. It cannot be captured in a neat acronym. It will always overflow, leak out, and surprise you. And that’s not a flaw—it’s the point. The plus sign is a reminder that love, attraction, and identity are creative, ever-expanding things.

Seriously. If we ever stopped adding to the plus sign, it’d mean we decided humanity was done inventing new ways to be human. And ha! We’re not even close.

But what about the people who say “LGBTQ+” is too long? Should we just say gay?

You could, but you’d be erasing a huge chunk of people. “Gay” is a specific label for a specific experience. The acronym (and the plus) is a promise to be specific. It’s like calling a fruit salad just “apple.” Sure, it’s one ingredient, but where’s the mango? The kiwi? The dragon fruit?

The plus sign says: “We are a salad, and we love every weird piece of fruit.” Don’t be a reductionist. Be a salad lover.

So, bottom line. What’s the vibe?

The plus sign is hope. It’s a placeholder for future self-discoveries. It’s a hug in punctuation form. It lets someone say, “I don’t know exactly what I am yet, but I know I’m here.”

It’s also a little bit of a middle finger to anyone who wants to box humanity in neat, tidy categories. Because we are messy, and beautiful, and we will not be reduced to five letters.

Next time you see that little plus sign, give it a mental wink. It’s saying “you belong” in a language everyone can understand.

And honestly? That’s the best kind of party invitation there is.