In educational research we use standardized terms when discussing students. Using common terminology when we speak about different groups shows that we speak the language of academia.
In education we use standardized terms when discussing students. Using common terminology when we speak about different groups shows that we speak the language of academia. However, these standardized terms often perpetuate inequity and most often “others” certain groups. When we use these terms in work that is intended to disrupt the status quo, we create a contradictory message between our words and our overall intentions. This guide will help us develop an inclusive, shared vocabulary, allowing our words to match the true intentions of our work.
Language is constantly changing. The terms in this guide could soon be out of date. Even though this guide is comprehensive, there are groups, identities, terms, and nuances we’ve most likely missed. We know this language will not resonate with everyone, and that we will make mistakes as we continue to learn.
We realize that not everyone will agree or identify with the terms we’ve used. These are terms we have chosen to create a shared language for our work around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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These are general terms. We encourage you to visit GLAAD to identify the most current usage for each term.
GLAAD defines asexual as someone who does not experience sexual attraction, regardless of gender.
A person who identifies as “aromantic” does not feel romantic attraction. Romantic orientation and sexual orientation are different.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
GLAAD states: someone who identifies as bisexual “has the capacity to form enduring physical, romantic, and/ or emotional attractions to those of the same gender or to those of another gender.”
Someone can self-identify as bisexual without ever physically acting on their emotions. Physicality is not a requirement for identity.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
American Psychological Association (APA) Style Guide
https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/general-principles
Conscious Style Guide
https://consciousstyleguide.com/
The Diversity Style Guide
https://www.diversitystyleguide.com/
GLAAD Media Reference Guide
https://www.glaad.org/reference
Native American Journalist Association
https://najanewsroom.com/reporting-guides/
National Association of Black Journalists
https://www.nabj.org/page/styleguide
National Center on Disability and Journalism
https://ncdj.org/style-guide/
Last Updated
August 30, 2023
See also “Lesbian,“ “LGBTQIA ,“ and “ Queer."
Commonly used to describe men or women attracted to someone of the same sex. Example: gay woman, gay man, gay people/person
Some women identify as “gay,” but “lesbian” is often the more commonly used identifier.
According to the GLAAD media reference guide, “Because of the clinical history of the word “homosexual,” it is aggressively used by anti-gay extremists to suggest that gay people are somehow diseased or psychologically/emotionally disordered – notions discredited by the American Psychological Association and the American Psychiatric Association in the 1970s. Please avoid using “homosexual” except in direct quotes.”
Last Updated
May 7, 2024
See ”Sex“ and “Woman/Man.“
The World Health Organization states: “Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy, as well as relationships with each other.”
In surveys:
There’s also a difference between “gender identity” and “gender expression”:
Careful using “Queer” or “Gender Queer” some individuals may use the terms “Queer” or “Gender Queer” as terms they identify with, but for others who do not identify, it is not encouraged.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
APA Style Guide: Gender
https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/bias-free-language/gender
Last Updated
August 30, 2023
GLAAD: Media Reference Guide
https://www.glaad.org/reference/lgbtq
GLAAD Blog: What is Pansexuality? 4 pan celebs explain in their own words
https://www.glaad.org/blog/what-pansexuality-4-pan-celebs-explain-their-own-words
GLAAD: An Ally’s Guide to Terminology
https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/allys-guide-to-terminology_1.pdf
Asexuality.org
https://asexuality.org/?q=overview.html
The Gay Center
https://gaycenter.org/
Chicago Tribune: As the abbreviation grows, what does LGBTQIA stand for?
https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct_lgbtqia_letters_defined-htmlstory.html
Last Updated
August 30, 2023
Acronym meaning: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual. Often used as an adjective or can also stand alone. (“Questioning” describes someone who is questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.)
Usage examples:
LGBTQIA students, LGBT faculty, GLBT staff, etc.
LGBT, GLBT, and LGBTQIA+ are also commonly accepted acronyms.
‘In the acronym, LGBTQIA, the “I” stands for Intersex and the “A” stands for asexual.’
Using “gay commnity” does not accurately represent the diversity and lived experiences of all members of the community. Ask people how they choose to self-identify. Listen to what people call themselves/want to be called and understand that if you’re outside of the community, using certain terms may not be appropriate for you to use.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
See section on LGBTQIA
GLAAD defines a lesbian as “a woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women.”
Some women identify as “gay,” but “lesbian” is often the more commonly used identifier.
See discussion in the section on “Gay.“
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
See the discussion on "Gender."
A broader, more inclusive identity for someone whose “gender expression is different from conventional expectations of masculinity and femininity.”
When writing demographic information for surveys, include an option for those who identify as “Non-binary,” if possible. Because this term has not been widely used in research for census and demographic data, it may be difficult to include as an option; in these cases clarify this reason respectfully to the participants.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
An adjective used to describe someone who does not identify as solely heterosexual. For someone who identifies as “queer” the terms “bisexual” or “lesbian” may be too limiting or they do not connect their identity to these terms.
Once considered a pejorative term, queer has been reclaimed by some LGBTQ people to describe themselves; however, it is not a universally accepted term even within the LGBTQ community.
See https://gaycenter.org/about/lgbtq/#queer The term “questioning” is also a commonly accepted term and sometimes for some people stands for the “Q” in LGBTQ.
Last Updated
May 7, 2024
See the discussion about “Gender.“
This term refers to what someone is assigned at birth. Researchers may need to use this term.
When writing demographic information for surveys, include an option for those who identify as “non-binary,” if possible.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
Unless the pronouns are known, avoid gender-specific, binary language, like “he or she,” “him or her.” For example: When a professor needs a break, they might take a sabbatical.
Use names when possible: Use a person’s name, when applicable, instead of choosing a pronoun.
Using the pronouns “they, their, them” are more inclusive because they do not prescribe to the binary of what is seen as traditional gender distinctions. These pronouns encompass the diversity of humanity more by being gender non-conforming. The use of the term “preferred pronoun” is now under debate; many reject this term because they don’t view their pronouns as “preferred.” It is simply their pronoun, no distinction necessary.
Last Updated
August 29, 2023
See the discussion about “Gender.“
According to GLAAD, a transgender person's identity differs from the gender they were assigned at birth.
GLAAD states that transgender should always be used as an adjective.
Transgender does not mean an individual person identifies as “non-binary.” Many transgender people identify as a woman or a man, and describe their identity as not matching their physical gender assigned at birth.
Last Updated
February 9, 2024
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