Overview

+
The “plus” is frequently added to the term Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning or Queer (LGBTQIA) (and variants) to encompass anyone whose sexuality or gender identity is not encompassed in the rest of the letters, acknowledging that our understanding of gender and sexuality continues to evolve.

 

Adverse Impacts
Refers to practices or policies that appear neutral but have a discriminatory effect on a protected group.¹

 

Antifragile
A combination of durability and resilience.²

 

Anti-Racism
The work of actively opposing racism by advocating for changes in political, economic, and social life. Anti-racism tends to be an individualized approach and set up in opposition to individual racist behaviors and impacts.³

 

Anti-Racist
To be anti-racist is to think nothing is behaviorally wrong or right - inferior or superior - with any of the racial groups. Whenever the anti-racist sees individuals behaving positively or negatively, the anti-racist sees exactly that: individuals behaving positively or negatively, not representatives of whole races. To be anti-racist is to deracialize behavior, to remove the tattooed stereotype from every racialized body. Behavior is something done by humans, not races. This includes the expression of ideas that racial groups are equals and do not need developing, and supporting policies that reduce racial inequity.⁴

 

Anti-Racist Ideas
Any idea that suggests the racial groups are equals in all of their apparent differences and that there is nothing wrong with any racial group. Antiracists argue that racist policies are the cause of racial injustices.⁴

 

Asexual
A person who identifies as asexual does not experience (fully or mostly) sexual attraction or desire for other people.

 

Belonging
Belonging is the feeling of physical, emotional, psychological security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.⁵

 

Bias
Bias describes an inclination or preference that generally interferes with judgment and decision-making.  Bias can be implicit (subconscious and indirect) or explicit (conscious and direct).⁶

 

Explicit Bias

Biases that people are aware of and that operate consciously. They are expressed directly.⁶

 

Implicit Bias

Implicit Bias describes unconscious thoughts, attitudes, and feelings that result in preferences for or aversions to certain types of people, often associated with stereotypes based on characteristics such as race, gender, appearance, etc.⁶

 

Bisexual

A person whose primary sexual and affectional orientation is toward people of the same and other genders. Some people may use bisexual and pansexual (generally a person who is attracted to people regardless of their gender identity or biological sex) interchangeably.

 

Cisgender

A person is cisgender if their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. The word cisgender is the antonym of transgender.⁶

 

Communities of Color

Is a term used primarily in the United States to describe communities of people who are not identified as white, emphasizing common experiences of racism.¹

 

Community Outcomes

The specific result you are seeking to achieve within the community that advances racial equity.⁷

 

Counter Narratives

Counter narratives are truths and experiences that contradict dominant narratives. They often arise from the vantage point of those who have been historically marginalized.

 

Cultural Humility

Cultural Humility is a mindset for understanding the cultures of others and acknowledging differences. Cultural Humility requires a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous self-reflection on one’s own assumptions and practices, respect for others’ viewpoints, empathetic and humble engagement with new perspectives, and recognition of the power and privilege imbalances that exist between groups.⁶

 

DDBDDHHLD (Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened)

Generally, many people perceive deafness merely as a “medical condition,” but many Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, Hard of Hearing, and Late-Deafened (DDBDDHHLD) individuals view themselves not as “disabled” but as members of a distinct cultural community with its own language, values, social norms, traditions, and beliefs. There are no specific hearing levels or personal characteristics that determine how a person identifies themselves. While individuals may identify themselves in one of several ways, using the proper terminology shows respect for their identities.⁶

 

Deaf

Individuals who identify themselves as Deaf use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language and mode of communication. They may have any level of hearing loss.⁶

 

deaf

Generally, individuals who use the "small d" deaf term do not associate with other members of the deaf community. They may strive to identify themselves with hearing people, regarding their hearing loss solely in medical terms.⁶

 

DeafBlind (DB)

Individuals who have a combination of vision and hearing loss. There are different degrees of vision loss and hearing loss within each individual. People who are DB may or may not identify themselves as culturally Deaf or culturally DeafBlind.

 

Deaf Disabled (DD)

Individuals who have disabilities in addition to deafness. There are individuals who may prefer terms, such as: “Deaf with mental disabilities,” “Deaf with cerebral palsy,” etc.

 

Hard of Hearing

People who are Hard of Hearing typically have some residual hearing that enables them to use spoken language for everyday communication. The hearing loss ranges from mild to profound. A Hard of Hearing person may or may not identify with the culture of the Deaf community.⁶

 

Hearing Impaired

The term is not acceptable as it often implies a deficit or that something is wrong that makes a person less than whole. It should never be used in referring to DDBDDHHLD individuals. It fails to recognize the difference of identities within the DDBDDHHLD communities.

 

Late-Deafened (LD)

A person who is late-deafened grew up hearing, then lost all or most of their hearing as an adult. They may or may not be able to identify with the culture of the Deaf community.

 

Disability

Disabilities can be non-apparent, something a person is born with, or something acquired later in life. There are many different legal definitions for the term “disability.” Most generally refer to disability as a physical, developmental, intellectual, or mental condition that limits a person’s activities or makes certain activities challenging. 

There are also alternative ways of understanding disability put forward by members of the disability community, including the social model of disability. 

 

Social Model of Disability

The social model views disability not as an individual problem to cure or solve but rather as created by barriers in physical and social environments. This places responsibility on society to look at how environments are constructed for certain types of bodies and the need for society to adapt and change to create access for all people, including people with disabilities.⁶

 

Discrimination

Discrimination refers to the unequal treatment of individuals or groups due to conscious or unconscious prejudice based on race, gender, national origin, etc. Discrimination is a behavior. It unequally allocates goods, resources, services, or access based on individual membership in a particular social group. It is reinforced by law, policy, and cultural norms that allow for differential treatment based on identity.⁶

 

Disparate Impacts

Disparate impacts refers to practices or policies that may be considered discriminatory and illegal if they have a disproportionate “adverse impact” on persons in a protected class.¹

 

Disparity

Disparity is a difference in outcome between population groups.

 

Diversity

Diversity refers to the various characteristics and ways in which individuals or groups differ from one another. Diversity encompasses different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc., as well as belief systems, ideas, and values. Diversity is necessary but not sufficient to achieve equity, which demands an ongoing commitment not just to include, but to value and empower, all people.⁶

 

Dominant Identity/Populations

Dominant identity/populations are members of social groups privileged by birth or acquisition who knowingly or unknowingly exploit and reap unfair advantage over members of marginalized groups. Dominant populations have more access to opportunities and resources historically.

 

Dominant Narratives

Dominant narratives are stories told by the dominant culture that define reality and guide our lives. These stories are what most of society believes to be “true.” While dominant narratives can be positive or negative, they can often show up as stereotypes and assumptions about other groups.

 

Environmental Justice

Environmental justice according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, environmental justice is the right to a clean, safe, and healthy quality of life for people of all races, incomes and cultures. Environmental justice emphasizes accountability, democratic practices, remedying the historical impact of environmental racism, just and equitable treatment, and self-determination.⁸

 

Equality

Equality describes circumstances in which each individual or group is given the same or equal treatment, including the same resources, opportunities, and support. However, because different individuals or groups have different histories, needs, and circumstances, they do not have equal positions in society or starting points. Providing the same resources, supports, or treatment does not guarantee that everyone will have fair or equal outcomes.⁶

 

Equity

Equity recognizes that because different individuals or groups have different histories and circumstances, they have different needs and unequal starting points. Equity considers how our different circumstances impact our position in the world. Equity goes beyond equality. It removes barriers, increases access, creates opportunities, and helps match support and resources to our unique needs.⁶

 

Workforce Equity

The process and outcome by which an entity (department, division, branch, etc.) (1) evaluates its workforce demographics, (2) adapts its processes to achieve a standard of diversity informed by the needs of the population it serves and/or reflective of local demographics, and (3) implements practices that foster inclusion and equitable treatment of employees in recognition that different individuals or groups have different histories, circumstances, and needs.

 

Equity Focus

Equity Focus is a critical thinking approach to undoing institutional and structural racism, which evaluates burdens, benefits, and outcomes to underserved communities.¹

 

Equity Lens

An equity lens is a set of questions we ask ourselves when we plan, develop, or evaluate a policy, program, or decision. Using an equity lens will help us identify potential impacts on institutionally under-served and marginalized individuals and groups, and to identify and potentially eliminate barriers.⁹

 

Ethnicity

Ethnicity is the identification of a group based on perceived common cultural attributes (e.g., Latinx).⁶

 

Gay

A sexual and affectional orientation toward people of the same gender. The term can also be used to refer exclusively to men whose primary sexual and affectional orientation is toward people of the same gender (as in “gay men”).

 

Immigrant

A person living permanently in a country other than that of their birth. Note that this is different from “immigration status,” and most immigrants are U.S. Citizens or Legal Permanent Residents, while fewer are in other immigration categories.⁶

 

Inclusion

Inclusion means authentically bringing traditionally excluded individuals or groups into processes, activities, and decision - and policymaking in a way that shares power; values each individual’s or group’s heritage, contributions, and aspirations; and guarantees full belonging to all stakeholders and participants.⁶

 

Indian, American Indian, and Native American

Terms used interchangeably to identify a member of any of the Indigenous peoples of the United States. The term used may be legally important in specific contexts. For example, child welfare policy has special protections for Indian children.⁶

 

Intersectionality

Intersectionality is a lens through which you can see where power comes and collides, where it interlocks and intersects. It’s not simply that there’s a race problem here, a gender problem here, and a class or LBGTQ problem there. Many times, that framework erases what happens to people who are subject to all of these things.¹⁰  Intersectionality is the theory that various forms of oppression feed upon one another.¹¹  For example, sexism cannot be fully eliminated without addressing racism. Consider a person who identifies as a person of color (ethnicity/race), over 50 (age), and middle class (economic position). Not all of these identities may result in discriminatory treatment, but it could be a response to the intersection between two identities (person of color and over 50). 

 

Intersex

An umbrella term used to refer to bodies that do not fall into strict male or female binary categories. Experts estimate that upwards of 2% of individuals are born with intersex traits (about the same as the number of people born with red hair).

 

Invisible Disability

Invisible disability references medical conditions that are not necessarily visible on the outside or recognizable for strangers. These physical, mental, or neurological conditions - known as invisible/hidden disabilities - can limit or challenge a person’s movements, senses, or activities, and can impact that person’s ability to learn or work. Invisible disability can refer to symptoms such as debilitating pain, fatigue, dizziness, cognitive dysfunctions, brain injuries, learning differences and mental health disorders, as well as hearing and vision impairments. These are not always obvious to the onlooker, but can sometimes or always limit daily activities, range from mild challenges to severe limitations, and vary from person to person.¹²

 

Labor Acknowledgement

A labor acknowledgement is a statement that recognizes the historical labor of People of Color, specifically enslaved African labor, that allowed society to get and be where it is today. The practice of a labor acknowledgement is relatively new to predominantly white institutions. It is a way to honor and remember the violent histories and legacies of settler colonialism and to collectively begin to acknowledge the historical labor that has allowed society to progress. The work by non-white bodies is often overlooked, unreported, and unrecognized.

 

Land Acknowledgement

A land acknowledgment is a statement that recognizes the history and presence of Indigenous peoples and their enduring relationship to their traditional homelands. Land acknowledgments help create awareness of the cultural erasure of Indigenous peoples and the processes of colonization and subjugation that have contributed to that erasure.¹³

 

Lesbian

A woman whose enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction is to other women. Some lesbians may prefer to identify as gay (adj.) or as gay women. Avoid identifying lesbians as “homosexuals.” Lesbian can be used as a noun or adjective. Ask people how they describe themselves before labeling their sexual orientation.¹⁴

 

Marginalized Populations

Groups and communities that experience discrimination and exclusion (social, political, and economic) because of unequal power relationships across economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions. Marginalized populations have less access to opportunities and resources throughout history.¹⁵

 

Microaggression

Microaggressions are the everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership. In many cases, these hidden messages may invalidate the group identity or experiential reality of target persons, demean them on a personal or group level, communicate they are lesser human beings, suggest they do not belong with the majority group, threaten, and intimidate, or relegate them to inferior status and treatment.¹⁶

 

Non-Binary

Non-binary is a term used by some individuals who do not consider themselves male or female. In a society where we tend to recognize gender as a binary (male and female), nonbinary people may consider themselves to have two or more genders, no gender, a third gender that is neither male or female, or to move between genders.

 

Oppression

Oppression is when a dominant group, whether knowingly or unknowingly, disadvantages a group that is marginalized by society. This pervasive system is rooted historically and maintained through individual and institutional/systematic discrimination, personal bias, bigotry, and social prejudice, resulting in a condition of privilege for the dominant group at the expense of the marginalized group.¹⁷

 

Prejudice

Prejudice is a judgment, belief, or generalization toward an individual or group that can be formed on insufficient grounds before facts are known or in disregard of facts that contradict it. Prejudices are learned and can be unlearned.

 

Privilege

Privilege refers to unearned social power, advantage, or rights afforded by the formal and informal institutions of society to all members of a dominant group. Examples include white privilege and male privilege. Privilege is usually invisible to those who have it because (1) they are taught not to see it and (2) hierarchies of privilege exist within the same group (for example, a rich white person has more power and advantage than a poor white person). Nonetheless, privilege puts people who have it at an advantage over those who do not.⁶

 

Queer

Queer is an umbrella term used by people who do not identify as straight (heterosexual) and/or cisgender. Historically used as a slur, this is a term that has been reclaimed by some individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community in a self-affirming way, though it can be considered offensive if used by individuals outside the LGBTQIA+ community. It may be used to refer to all LGBTQIA+ identities at once (“queer rights”) or may be used by some individuals to describe themself without specifically enumerating queer identities.

 

Questioning

The process of exploring one’s own gender identity, gender expression, and/or sexual orientation. Some people may also use this term to name their identity within the LGBTQIA+ community.

 

Race

Race is a social construct used to categorize humans into groups, called races or racial groups, based on combinations of shared physical traits such as skin color, hair texture, nose shape, eye shape, or head shape. Although most scientists agree that such groupings lack biological meaning, racial groups continue to have a strong influence over contemporary social relations. Historically in the United States, Race has frequently been used to concentrate power with white people and legitimize dominance over non-white people.⁶

 

Racial Equity

When race does not determine or predict the distribution of resources, economic/ political/ social opportunities, and burdens for group members in society.¹

 

Racism

Racism can be individual and interpersonal. This refers to a person’s own racist assumptions, beliefs, or behaviors. For example, when someone uses a racist slur, this is individual racism, and it’s also part of a racist system.

 

Racism can be internalized. This is the conscious or subconscious acceptance of the majority’s racist views by marginalized groups. Because racism is so pervasive in our systems and society, people from marginalized racial groups can internalize these views.

 

Racism can also be institutionalized. This refers to the historical, cultural, and interpersonal processes, policies, and dynamics that routinely advantage White people while creating adverse outcomes for people of color. For example, in U.S. businesses, we have historically valued “correct” English and considered other dialects and ways of speaking to be inferior. This advantages White, middle-class, U.S.-born people and disadvantages anyone who did not grow up speaking this way.⁴

 

Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE)

 

Sexual Orientation

Refers to a person’s emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people.⁶

 

Gender Identity

A person’s internal feeling about their gender – whether they feel male, female, both, or neither. This can be different from the sex a person was assigned at birth.⁶

 

Gender Expression

Refers to how an individual expresses or presents themselves in the world.

 

Social Identity

Social identity refers to membership in one of the groups (either dominant or marginalized) that experience power and privilege differently in society based on shared characteristics (whether real or perceived).  In the United States, these groups are most often defined by gender, ability, age, race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, social class, and religion. 

 

Structural (or Systemic) Racism

In the United States, Structural Racism is defined as the macro-level systems, social forces, institutions, ideologies, and processes that interact with one another to generate and reinforce inequities among racial and ethnic groups.⁶

 

Structural Inequities

Structural inequities are the personal, interpersonal, institutional, and systemic drivers—such as, racism, sexism, classism, able-ism, xenophobia, and homophobia—that make those identities salient to the fair distribution of opportunities and outcomes.

 

Transgender

An adjective used most often as an umbrella term and frequently abbreviated to “trans.” Identifying as transgender, or trans, means that one’s internal knowledge of gender is different from conventional or cultural expectations based on the sex that person was assigned at birth.

 

Under-Served
Refers to people and places that historically and currently have not had equitable resources or access to infrastructure, healthy environments, housing choice, etc. Disparities may be recognized in both services and in outcomes.¹