Administration

He or She

Ladies and Gentlemen

Ask for pronouns

They, them, theirs

Everyone

These non-inclusive terms imply that gender is binary (either man or woman) and don’t acknowledge the broad spectrum of gender identity. Inclusive language ensures that all people are acknowledged.

Homosexual

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Pansexual, Queer, etc.

(Important: Ask individuals which term they use for themselves.)

The word homosexual was historically tied to the now-discredited notion of a psychological disorder and is therefore considered offensive. Avoid using it.

Note that the term queer may be offensive to those who have experienced its use as a slur. However, the term has also been reclaimed as a self-identifier. This example helps show why it is important to listen for or ask people which terms they identify with.

Male/Female

Man/Woman

Male and female refer to biological sex. When it is pertinent to a conversation or written communication, refer to an individual’s gender identity instead, and when it’s not, use a genderless term like those listed below.

Man the booth

Mankind

Man-made

You guys

Policeman

Fireman

Freshman

Staff the booth

Humankind

Human-made, human-caused, artificial, synthetic

Friends, colleagues, everyone, all, team, everybody

Police Officer

Firefighter

First-year student

Using man as a generic term excludes woman and nonbinary individuals. Inclusive language acknowledges that people of all identities are included and may serve in any capacity.

Mr./Mrs./Ms.

First or last name

Mx.

Dr., Reverend, Rabbi

Using titles can be problematic if you’re not certain of a person’s gender identity, marital status, or professional title. Mr./Mrs./Ms. also  exclude those outside of the man/woman binary. When possible, refer to people by their first or last name instead. Mx. is another gender-neutral option. Use professional titles for those who hold those designations.

What are your preferred pronouns?

What are your pronouns?

A person’s pronouns are consistent with their gender identity. Using the term preferred pronouns implies that these words are their choice versus inherent to who they are.

Straight

Heterosexual

Avoid the term straight. It implies that non-heterosexual people are somehow in the wrong or not normal.

Transgendered

Transgender

The word transgender is an adjective, not a verb or a noun. Putting the extraneous “-ed” at the end is grammatically incorrect. Likewise, it is incorrect to say, “Tony is a transgender,” or “The parade included many transgenders.” Instead, say “Tony is a transgender person,” or “Many transgender people marched in the parade.”