There is much discussion on the subject of sexual identity and it is often referred to as a spectrum. This implies that there is only one variable that changes, like the spectrum of colour only varies with the variable of wavelength. I offer that perhaps it is a palette of colours that vary in a multitude of variables and allow mixing to achieve hues and saturations of an endless nature. As a stepping stone to this palette, I offer a gender preference matrix of identity.

The draft matrix is flat and based on a Cartesian system, it is logical that it could be extended to more dimensions based on Cartesian methodology. There draft matrix does rely on accepted use of graphic terminology and any limits of this vocabulary will be noted.

The draft matrix extends to a distance of 1 unit along each axis. The horizontal axis is a representative of a person’s gender identity, that being how they term their own gender. This could be a suite of terms but the points marked refer to male and female. These may be cis or Trans but that terminology is not covered in this draft but may be an area of work in later drafts with only a short treatment of this topic covered at the end of this note. The vertical axis is a representation of a person’s preference in intimate relationships.  In the ideal adoption of this draft matrix people would be identified by two variable listed by term and an appropriate Cartesian pair (or more) of numbers to represent an appropriate graphical term to describe the person. The key though, is that this is not about applying terms to people or boxing people in but it is about making a common language that allows for greater understanding of the rich and complex area of sexual identity and lifestyle choices. It also shows that some perhaps traditional views exist only in very small parts of the draft matrix with an infinitely varse set of other possible terms.

In order to show the usefulness of the graphic some of the current terminology in use will be explained and referred to how it sits on the draft matrix; it is hoped that the readership will see how this will assist to explain (if desired) other combinations that have yet to have any appropriate wording associated. The initialism LGBTTQQIAAP will be used for this draft with some other additions. This is by no means exhaustive and if the draft matrix is adopted perhaps these terms would no longer be needed in some situations. It would also break down the problem that some people who don’t identify as being part of the LGBTTQQIAAP+ community would no longer have a stigma with a lack of terminology and could exist, like all members of the human race as being part of the Matrix. Again, I stress that this is about a more appropriate and more flexible terminology rather than boxing people into narrow definitions.  It is also note that the current vocabulary does not acknowledge that identity and preference are different parts to the human psyche and need to be treated as such. There is also some possibility that even with these groups identity could be broken down into constituent parts of assigned and assumed characteristics; preference could be explored as public and private information also for example.