Damaging language
The rate at which students use and hear negative language about lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people is huge. Over half of all students report hearing homophobic remarks often at school.
The common use of anti-LGBT language is directly related to an even bigger problem – the bullying and harassment of LGBT students.
9 out of 10 LGBT students report being harassed at school in the last year. Over one-third of LGBT students have been physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Creating a safe environment for all students - LGBT and straight alike - begins with one simple act: thinking before you speak.
A lot of anti-LGBT language is said carelessly, and isn’t intended as negative or hurtful. Understand what you’re saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose
The rate at which students use and hear negative language about lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) people is huge. Over half of all students report hearing homophobic remarks often at school.
The common use of anti-LGBT language is directly related to an even bigger problem – the bullying and harassment of LGBT students.
9 out of 10 LGBT students report being harassed at school in the last year. Over one-third of LGBT students have been physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression.
Creating a safe environment for all students - LGBT and straight alike - begins with one simple act: thinking before you speak.
A lot of anti-LGBT language is said carelessly, and isn’t intended as negative or hurtful. Understand what you’re saying, and think about the potential consequences of the words you choose
To be an LGBT ally, it is important to know what you’re saying. To better understand what or why some language is hurtful, it can be useful to learn some proper terminology. Here's a list:
Ally: any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people.
Bisexual: a person who is attracted to both men and women.
Closeted / “In the Closet”: describes a person who keeps their sexual orientation or gender identity a secret from some or all people.
Coming Out: the process of acknowledging one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity to other people. For most LGBT people this is a life-long process.
Gay: a person who is attracted only to members of the same sex. Although it can be used for any sex (e.g. gay man, gay woman, gay person), “lesbian” is usually the preferred term for women who are attracted to women.
Gender Expression: the manner in which a person outwardly expresses their gender.
Gender Identity: a person’s inner sense of self as male, female, or somewhere in between. Most people develop a gender identity that corresponds to their biological sex, but many do not.
Heterosexual / Straight: a person who is only attracted to members of the opposite sex.
Heterosexism: the attitude that heterosexuality is the only valid or acceptable sexual orientation.
Homosexual: a clinical term for people who are attracted to members of the same sex. Some gay men and lesbians find this term offensive.
Homophobia: fear of lesbians and gay men.
Lesbian: a woman who is only attracted to other women.
LGBT / GLBT: acronyms for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”
Openly Gay / Lesbian / Bisexual / Transgender: a person who publicly acknowledges their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Outing: the act of revealing an LGBT person’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that person’s consent.
Queer: an umbrella term used by some LGBT people to refer to themselves. In the past, this term has been considered offensive and some LGBT people still consider it so.
Questioning: a person who is unsure about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sexual Orientation: a person’s attraction to members of the same and/or opposite sex. Includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual.
Transgender: a person whose gender identity does not correspond to their biological sex.
Ally: any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people.
Bisexual: a person who is attracted to both men and women.
Closeted / “In the Closet”: describes a person who keeps their sexual orientation or gender identity a secret from some or all people.
Coming Out: the process of acknowledging one’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity to other people. For most LGBT people this is a life-long process.
Gay: a person who is attracted only to members of the same sex. Although it can be used for any sex (e.g. gay man, gay woman, gay person), “lesbian” is usually the preferred term for women who are attracted to women.
Gender Expression: the manner in which a person outwardly expresses their gender.
Gender Identity: a person’s inner sense of self as male, female, or somewhere in between. Most people develop a gender identity that corresponds to their biological sex, but many do not.
Heterosexual / Straight: a person who is only attracted to members of the opposite sex.
Heterosexism: the attitude that heterosexuality is the only valid or acceptable sexual orientation.
Homosexual: a clinical term for people who are attracted to members of the same sex. Some gay men and lesbians find this term offensive.
Homophobia: fear of lesbians and gay men.
Lesbian: a woman who is only attracted to other women.
LGBT / GLBT: acronyms for “lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.”
Openly Gay / Lesbian / Bisexual / Transgender: a person who publicly acknowledges their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Outing: the act of revealing an LGBT person’s sexual orientation or gender identity without that person’s consent.
Queer: an umbrella term used by some LGBT people to refer to themselves. In the past, this term has been considered offensive and some LGBT people still consider it so.
Questioning: a person who is unsure about their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sexual Orientation: a person’s attraction to members of the same and/or opposite sex. Includes gay, lesbian, bisexual and heterosexual.
Transgender: a person whose gender identity does not correspond to their biological sex.