Which term to use? LGBT? LGBTQIA? A style and usage guide.

A glossary and style guide pdf

There is no universally agreed-up set of terms to describe people whose sexuality and gender does not conform to cultural expectations. Adding to this lack of clarity is the fact that as individuals are increasingly able to self-determine their gender and sexuality, new identities are emerging around the globe. This pdf is a an excerpt from guide I wrote for CanWaCH (the Canadian Partnership on Women and Children’s Health) regarding the use of terms in the international context. These should be seen as recommendations, not rules. Different forms might be appropriate for different contexts.

I recommend following three principles: First, use terms that are used by your audience. Canadians use LGBT2Q, the “2” representing indigenous two-spirit populations that live in Canada. Even if the term is derogatory, reference it and then shift to the term that you feel is better. Second, ask people how they identify themselves. Lots of people feel uncomfortable doing this, because it might not be acceptable to ask someone about the details of their disability or other personal characteristics. That is generally not the case with sexuality and gender identity. It is common for LGBTI people to be asked what their preferred identity term is (though questions about sexual practice or physical characteristics are considered intrusive). Third, tell others how you define the terms when you use them. Almost every report using the term LGBT has a definitional footnote saying who is included in that group.

Here are some of the issues that frequently come up. The PDF has many more examples.

Using LGBT

These NGOs represent the LGBTI community. CORRECT. LGBTI is an umbrella term and can refer to a community or an issue.

Janet is LGBT. INCORRECT (and impossible given that a single person cannot be gay and bisexual and a lesbian at the same time). Just say Janet is a lesbian.

Our program serves all men, including LGBT men. INCORRECT Men are usually not considered lesbians. Just say GB men or whatever is accurate.

Referring to gender

She is transgendered. INCORRECT. She is transgender. CORRECT

When referring to a person’s gender, use the term corresponding to their true gender, even when referring to their life before transition.

When Caitlan was in her 20’s, she won the Olympic Decathlon. CORRECT

When Caitlan was a man, she won the Olympic Decathlon. INCORRECT Referring to Caitlan as a man would be mis-gendering her. Like most trans people, Caitlan always felt she was a woman, even when her gender expression was male.

When precision is needed, such as in research reports.

Are you classifying people according to identity or something else?

Our study look at mental health issues among lesbian women. UNCLEAR. Are you studying women who have sex with women or women who self-identify as lesbians? The former group is usually much larger than the latter group.

This study looks at mental health issues among trans people. UNCLEAR. Many people who have transitioned identify as male or female and do not identify as trans. Are you including those people?

This study looked at the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections among people whose current gender is different than their gender assigned at birth. CORRECT