Module 02 Language, Terminology & Labels

Resources – handouts

Glossary of terms – this is the original handout that we used in the first 2 tranches of Facilitator Training

These new handouts reflect some of the more recent changes in use of language

Over the years, SAND has delivered sessions on terminology countless times. We have found that the most important outcome is for people to feel less threatened by language and less fearful of getting things ‘wrong’. We emphasise that language evolves and changes all the time, that different words mean different things to different people at different times – and maybe in different geographical locations. We are very unlikely to know all of the ‘right’ terms at the ‘right’ time.

What is very important, is to be willing and able to engage with others – and also to apologise when we get things ‘wrong’.

In preparation for the session we asked Facilitators to look up some of the contested words and concepts in use today and to do their own research into meaning and the points of contest.

Language is important, but for any community which has been marginalised, pathologised and discriminated against historically, it takes on even greater import. Remember, some terminology associated with the LGBT+ community developed long before there were any legal rights afforded, and at a time when homosexuality was illegal.

Language is powerful. It can be used to include or exclude, to affirm or deny, to support or reject. Language is creative.

Language changes over time. It is fluid rather than fixed, and of course debates continue about the use of language, meaning and legitimacy.

One of the things that many of are concerned about is how to keep up with the current language and terminology. SAND uses the acronym LGBT+ as an umbrella term that essentially includes people who do not identify wholly as heterosexual or cis-gender. Others use the terms LGBTQ, LGBTQI, LGBTQIA.

The resources at the top of this page offer information about terms and concepts and links to websites and organisations that might help to further our understanding. However, language is constantly changing and you may well come across words that are not included or which have evolved in their meaning.

What’s important is to recognize that the words we use can have powerful impact on our conversations, sometimes opening hearts and minds and at other times creating distance, alienation or even fear.

Some People

Always knew – from a very young age….that maybe they were a bit ‘different’
Knew but hid from self as well as others…..maybe some sense of shame, guilt, disbelief
Came out later in life – might have been finally acknowledging feelings or may even have been a complete shock – out of the blue
Know but have chosen to ignore – sometimes successfully and sometimes not
Are with an opposite sex partner but have secret lovers
Are bisexual and may be in a same sex or opposite sex relationship
Are just in love with X
Look back and can see the signs when they were younger
Had an epiphanal moment
…it crept up on them gradually
Chose to ignore successfully
Chose to ignore less successfully
Are out and proud
Are quietly getting on with their lives in complete privacy