1. LGBTQI+ An acronym representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer, and other sexual and gender identities.
2. HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, a virus that weakens the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to infections.
3. HPV: Human Papillomavirus, a virus linked to several cancers, including anal and cervical cancers.
4. Transgender: A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
5. Stigma: Negative attitudes or discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
6. Pathologisation: The process of treating something as a medical or psychological disorder when it is not.
7. Mental Health: A person’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how they think, feel, and act.
8. Substance Abuse: The harmful use of substances like alcohol or drugs.
9. Intersectionality: The interconnected nature of social categories such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation, which can result in overlapping systems of discrimination.
10. Culturally Competent Care: Healthcare that is respectful of and tailored to the cultural needs and perspectives of diverse populations.