Avoids assumption of gender identity or sexual orientation. Partner - gender-inclusive term for someone with whom one is involved, usually in a primary relationship. Outing - exposing someone's gender identity and/or sexual orientation to others, usually without their permission. Coming out is a lifelong process, starting with coming out to oneself and then to others. Many LGBTQIA+ people find that being in the closet can be an isolated, confining experience.Ĭoming Out - the developmental process in which a person acknowledges, accepts, and appreciates their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Many LGTBQIA+ people remain in the closet because of fear of rejection, harassment, and anti-gay violence. Experiential TerminologyĪlly - a person who supports and honors LGBTQIA+ diversity, acts accordingly to challenge homophobic/transphobic and heterosexist/cisgender centric remarks and behaviors, and is willing to explore and understand these forms of bias within themselves.Ĭloset - being "in the closet" means keeping your gender identity and/or sexual orientation a secret. Even positive stereotypes can have a negative impact, however, simply because they involve broad generalizations that ignore individual realities. Though often negative, can also be complimentary. Stereotype - A preconceived or oversimplified generalization about an entire group of people without regard for their individual differences. Prejudice - A conscious or unconscious negative belief about a whole group of people and its individual members. It involves institutional control, ideological domination, and the promulgation of the dominant group's culture on the oppressed. Oppression - the systematic exploitation of social groups by another for its own benefit. Internalized Oppression - The process by which a member of an oppressed group comes to accept and live out the inaccurate stereotypes applied to the oppressed group. Institutional Oppression - Societial processes and expectations that benefit one group at the expense of another through the use of language, media, education, religion, economics, etc. Experience-Related Terminology - terms that help explain some aspects of having an identity in that category.ĭiscrimination - differential treatment that favors one individual or group over another based on prejudice.Identities - descriptions of identities that fall under that section.General - terms needed to talk about and explain identities.Sexual Orientation: Here you will find terms that apply to our understanding of sexual orientations (e.g., "Gay").Įach section has subheadings to help you navigate:.Sex and Gender: Here you will find terms that apply to our understanding of sex and gender.We have also included basic social justice terminology. Terms for All Identities: Here you will find terms that can apply to any identity."I like all people, I just use bisexual because it's more commonly known and I have to explain it less.") bisexual), but define it differently (i.e.