What Is Gender Inclusive Language?

As society changes, so do the words we use in everyday life. Over the last ten years, there has been a rapid increase in the use of gender-inclusive language, particularly in Western culture, including areas like online gaming. Although we're not quite there yet, efforts are being made globally to create a more equal and understanding environment for everyone, regardless of their background, gender, or sexuality. These changes have happened quickly, and for some people, keeping up with the new terms can be challenging, but our simple guide below can help. An inclusive world benefits everyone.

Understanding Gender Identity

It's important to start by understanding what gender inclusivity means and its origins. People often mix up the terms 'gender' and 'sex.' 'Sex' refers to biological differences like reproductive organs and chromosomes, while 'gender' is about the social roles based on ideas of masculinity and femininity and an individual's personal sense of identity.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, efforts toward gender equality began. For example, women in several countries earned the right to vote by the late 1800s. The Suffragette movement in the UK, led by Emmeline Pankhurst in 1903, pushed for and achieved voting rights for women over 30 in 1918 and later for all women over 21 in 1928. Similar progress occurred in the US with the 19th Amendment.

The pace of change picked up in the 1960s. In the US, laws like the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and affirmative action policies in 1967 aimed to eliminate employment discrimination, including for transgender individuals. The 1970s and beyond saw more advances, such as the Gender Recognition Act in the UK in 2004, allowing people with gender dysphoria to legally change their gender. However, there is still much to do.

Basic Terminology

The world of gender-inclusive language is vast, so let's start by looking at some of the most common and important terminology used by the LGBTQIA+ community. Hopefully, with a little more understanding, these words can be used in our own language.

Here’s a list of terms related to gender and sexuality:

• 100-FOOTER - Someone whose LGBTQIA+ identity is perceived to be obvious from a distance.
• ALLY - A supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community who does not necessarily identify as LGBTQIA+.
• ANDROGYNE - A person whose gender is both masculine and feminine.
• ASEXUAL - Someone who may not feel sexual attraction but might experience other forms of attraction.
• BEAR - Describes a hairy, often heavy-set gay or bisexual man who exhibits rugged masculinity.
• BIGENDER - Exhibiting traits of both masculine and feminine cultures.
• BINDING - The act of flattening one's breasts to appear more masculine.
• CISGENDER - A gender identity that matches the sex assigned at birth.
• CLOSET - Used when someone hides their non-heterosexual orientation. "Coming out of the closet" means revealing their sexuality publicly.
• CUB - A young, heavy-set, hairy gay man, similar to a younger version of a bear.
• DEADNAMING - Using the former name of a transgender person who has changed their name to match their identity. Can be seen as insulting.
• DRAG - Involves drag queens (men dressed as women) and drag kings (women dressed as men) for entertainment purposes.
• GAY - Attracted to the same gender.
• GENDER FLUID - A person whose gender identity changes.
• HETEROSEXUALITY - Attraction to a different gender.
• LGBTQIA+ - Stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual, plus other identities.
• MISGENDERING - Incorrectly assuming someone's gender based on societal expectations or stereotypes.
• NON-BINARY - Identifying outside the traditional categories of man or woman.
• NSA - Stands for 'no strings attached,' indicating a sexual encounter without further commitment.
• PAN - Pansexuals are attracted to people of all gender identities, focusing more on the person than the gender.
• POLYGENDER - Having multiple gender identities.
• PRONOUNS - Words used to refer to someone without naming them, like they/them.
• QUEEN - Originally used by gay men for those who are flamboyant or effeminate, now widely used in the LGBTQIA+ community.
• QUEER - A broad term for people not strictly heterosexual or cisgender.
• STUD - In lesbian slang, refers to a masculine, often Black or Latinx female.
• TOMCAT - Describes a bisexual woman with masculine traits.
• TOP - Refers to the dominant partner in a sexual relationship.
• TRANS - An inclusive term for those whose gender identity does not match their sex at birth.
• TWINK - A young gay man with a slim build and youthful appearance, typically hairless and clean-shaven.
• U-HAUL - A term for a lesbian who moves quickly in relationships, based on the joke about bringing a U-Haul on the second date.
• UNICORN - A bisexual woman who joins a couple, usually in a secondary, often sexual, role.
• WOLF - A lean, muscular, and possibly sexually aggressive man with body hair more than a twink but less than a bear.

Gender Inclusive Language In Crosswords

In crossword puzzles, LGBTQIA+ terms and gender-inclusive language are becoming more common. This change shows how society is becoming more accepting and inclusive. Words like "non-binary," "cisgender," and "queer" are now often used in these puzzles. This helps educate people who do the puzzles and makes everyone feel recognized. The puzzles also avoid using language that favors one gender over another. By including these terms, crosswords not only offer a fun challenge but also help promote respect and understanding for different identities, making the hobby enjoyable for a broader audience.

How To Use Gender Inclusive Language

We know that we have a better understanding of gender-inclusive language and how it can be used in our lives and for entertainment purposes. So, how do we use it, and what is good to remember when trying to process all these new terms?

Gender-Neutral Language

Using gender-neutral language helps avoid bias. Replace phrases like "he throws like a girl" with more precise descriptions. Use people’s full titles and opt for terms like "everyone" instead of "guys" or "ladies and gentlemen" unless you're sure of everyone's gender.

Gender Neutrality in Everyday Language

Switch from gendered terms to neutral ones: "mankind" to "humankind," "manpower" to "team power," and "manmade" to "artificial."

Reclaiming Words

Some terms historically seen as negative are being redefined by the communities they describe. For example, "bitch" is now sometimes used to mean a strong woman, and "queer" has been reclaimed by some LGBTQIA+ people.

Further Learning

If you’re interested in learning more about gender rights and neutral language, consider reading titles like "Beyond Magenta" by Susan Kuklin or "The Female Brain" by Louann Brizendine. These resources can deepen your understanding of gender issues. Also, using tools like a Word Unscrambler can help expand your vocabulary in a gender-neutral way.