A good best practice is to ask people what the words they use to describe themselves mean for them and how they would like you to use language when talking with or about them. However, the vocabulary of both continues to evolve, and there is not universal agreement about the definitions of many terms.
Precise use of terms in regards to gender and sexual orientation can have a significant impact on demystifying many of the misperceptions associated with these concepts. The power of language to shape our perceptions of other people is immense.
