sexual minority

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl mahy-nawr-i-tee, -nor-, mi-] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl maɪˈnɔr ɪ ti, -ˈnɒr-, mɪ- /

noun

1. a member or members of the LGBTQ+ community, used especially in the context of discrimination against or advocacy for a minoritized sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

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Etymology

Origin of sexual minority

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

More than 900,000 people in Nepal identify as a sexual minority, according to the leading rights group the Blue Diamond Society.

From Barron's • Jan. 26, 2026

Even if you’re not married, if you’re a member of a sexual minority and live in a world that validates same-sex relationships, that relieves a stressor and has measurable benefits on physical and mental health.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2024

The pilot data released last week offered some starting estimates: Roughly 2% to 3% of respondents identified as a gender minority and roughly 13% to 15% identified as a sexual minority.

From Science Magazine • May 14, 2024

Beach is the prime investigator for Project Recognize, which aims to improve data collection for asexual and sexual minority identities.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2024

The unanimous decision was the first time the court has ruled on workplace conditions for a sexual minority and could set a precedent for rulings relating to other public offices and private companies.

From New York Times • Jul. 11, 2023