sexual minority: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Academic, Sociopolitical
Quick answer
What does “sexual minority” mean?
A group whose sexual identity, orientation, or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A group whose sexual identity, orientation, or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society.
A term encompassing individuals and communities who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual, or who have other non-heterosexual orientations. It is often used in sociological, legal, and political contexts to discuss rights, representation, and experiences distinct from the heterosexual majority.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. 'LGBT' or 'LGBTQ+' are more frequent in everyday speech in both regions.
Connotations
In both, it carries a formal, sociological tone. In the US, it may be more commonly used in legal and psychological contexts. In the UK, it appears frequently in official policy and equalities discourse.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic writing, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “sexual minority” in a Sentence
[verb] + sexual minority (e.g., protect, represent, discriminate against)sexual minority + [noun] (e.g., youth, rights, community)[preposition] + sexual minority (e.g., among sexual minorities, for sexual minorities)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sexual minority” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No direct verb form. Used as noun compound.]
American English
- [No direct verb form. Used as noun compound.]
adverb
British English
- [No adverb form.]
American English
- [No adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- The report highlighted sexual-minority issues in the workplace. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- The study focused on sexual minority adolescents. (open compound attributive use)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in diversity and inclusion (D&I) policies, HR training, and corporate social responsibility reports.
Academic
Frequent in sociology, psychology, public health, law, and gender studies papers discussing population subgroups and social stratification.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; more specific terms like 'gay', 'LGBT', or 'queer' are used. May appear in news reports.
Technical
Used in demographic surveys, legal statutes concerning equal treatment, and medical/psychological literature on minority stress.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sexual minority”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sexual minority”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sexual minority”
- Using 'sexual minority' to refer to transgender people (which relates to gender identity, not sexual orientation).
- Capitalizing it as a proper noun (it is not typically capitalized).
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'LGBT' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related but not identical. 'Sexual minority' is a broader, more formal sociological term for non-heterosexual groups. 'LGBTQ+' is a specific, community-originated acronym that often includes gender minorities (like transgender people) as well.
It's possible but uncommon. In everyday contexts, more specific terms like 'gay', 'bi', or the umbrella term 'LGBT' are more natural and less clinical-sounding.
Yes, in contemporary usage, asexual people are generally considered part of sexual minorities as their orientation (lack of sexual attraction) differs from the societal majority.
No, it is a standard, formal, and neutral term. However, some may prefer more specific or community-centered labels like 'queer' (reclaimed) or 'LGBTQ+', as 'sexual minority' can feel impersonal or focus solely on a 'minority' status.
A group whose sexual identity, orientation, or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society.
Sexual minority is usually formal, academic, sociopolitical in register.
Sexual minority: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsekʃuəl maɪˈnɒrəti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsekʃuəl məˈnɔːrəti/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific compound term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Minority' = smaller group. 'Sexual minority' = a smaller group defined by who they are attracted to (sexuality).
Conceptual Metaphor
MINORITY AS A DISTINCT SOCIAL CATEGORY (structured like ethnic or religious minorities).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'sexual minority' MOST appropriate?