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The most commonly used variant of the LGBT acronym is LGBTQ (and the variant LGBTQ+), which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer.

This version has gained popularity since the early 2000s as it reflects a broader and more inclusive understanding of gender and sexual identities.

While LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) remains widely recognized and serves as the foundational term, the addition of "Q" for Queer or Questioning acknowledges the complexities of identity beyond the original four categories. 

Some will add even more letters, identifying more sexual orientations and gender identities, like in LGBTQ2IA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual).

In variants like LGBTQ+ and LGBTQIA+ the "+" signifies additional identities not explicitly represented in the acronym, such as Intersex and Asexual. Indeed, a British study indicates that a majority of queer Britons prefer LGBTQ+ to LGBTQ. This especially applies to the younger generations.

SGM or GSM, an abbreviation for sexual and gender minorities, is used in government, academia, and medicine. 

Some use the term "queer" as an umbrella term for all kinds of gender variance and sexual orientations.

The only variant you should not use is LGB. This one is promoted by anti-transgender activists only.

I recall when the L went out front, thinking it wasn't necessarily a good thing. I'd vote just "queer" as a big tent where all are welcome, but apparently that's not sufficiently supportive of ... I'm not sure what. But "queer" could easily encompass ACE/ARO, LGBT, anyone who identified off the mythical repressed "norm".

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