The term 'LGBTQIA+' is an extension of 'LGBT,' which originated in the late 20th century as a more inclusive term for the community. The '+' symbol represents other sexual orientations and gender identities not explicitly included in the acronym.

The acronym evolved from 'LGB' to 'LGBT' in the 1990s, and later expanded to include 'QIA+' to represent a broader spectrum of identities.

Initially, it was used to represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals, but it has evolved to include a wider range of identities.