#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Gender Euphoria
The opposite of gender dysphoria. It is the psychological euphoria experienced when a trans or non-binary person feels their mind, body, and/or gender expression are aligned with their gender, or their gender is recognized, affirmed, or respected by others (e.g., addressed with gender-affirming pronouns, chosen name).
The opposite of gender dysphoria. It is the psychological euphoria experienced when a trans or non-binary person feels their mind, body, and/or gender expression are aligned with their gender, or their gender is recognized, affirmed, or respected by others (e.g., addressed with gender-affirming pronouns, chosen name).
Gender Expansive
An umbrella term most often used to describe young children who haven’t fully articulated a concrete gender identity (i.e., who are exploring and questioning their gender, but who may not be ready to say they're transgender or who may turn out not to be transgender). This includes people who expand notions of gender expression (e.g., clothing, appearance, mannerisms) and identity beyond expected societal norms.
An umbrella term most often used to describe young children who haven’t fully articulated a concrete gender identity (i.e., who are exploring and questioning their gender, but who may not be ready to say they're transgender or who may turn out not to be transgender). This includes people who expand notions of gender expression (e.g., clothing, appearance, mannerisms) and identity beyond expected societal norms.
Gender Expression
The way in which any person expresses their gender identity through external manifestations of gender, including name, pronouns, clothing, hair, makeup, mannerisms, or body characteristics. This communication may be conscious or subconscious, and for many people, their gender expression affirms their gender identity, but this isn’t always the case (i.e., wearing masculine clothes doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is a man or even identifies as “masculine”).
The way in which any person expresses their gender identity through external manifestations of gender, including name, pronouns, clothing, hair, makeup, mannerisms, or body characteristics. This communication may be conscious or subconscious, and for many people, their gender expression affirms their gender identity, but this isn’t always the case (i.e., wearing masculine clothes doesn’t necessarily mean that a person is a man or even identifies as “masculine”).
Gender Identity
A person’s internal, deeply held core sense of self and gender (i.e., who they are -- man, woman, agender, non-binary, etc.), which they may become aware of at any stage of life, and which might not match the sex assigned to them at birth. It’s not visible to others, nor is it determined by someone’s biology or sex characteristics (e.g., chromosomes, reproductive organs). Gender identities are most commonly man/boy or woman/girl, but there are a wide range of non-binary genders and gender-diverse identities from many cultures throughout history. For trans people, their internal gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. A person can be any gender identity, sexual orientation, or intersex status, and these identities should not be conflated (i.e., being trans doesn’t imply that someone is gay; being intersex doesn’t mean someone is trans). A guide to more gender identity terms here.
A person’s internal, deeply held core sense of self and gender (i.e., who they are -- man, woman, agender, non-binary, etc.), which they may become aware of at any stage of life, and which might not match the sex assigned to them at birth. It’s not visible to others, nor is it determined by someone’s biology or sex characteristics (e.g., chromosomes, reproductive organs).
Gender identities are most commonly man/boy or woman/girl, but there are a wide range of non-binary genders and gender-diverse identities from many cultures throughout history. For trans people, their internal gender identity does not match the sex assigned to them at birth. A person can be any gender identity, sexual orientation, or intersex status, and these identities should not be conflated (i.e., being trans doesn’t imply that someone is gay; being intersex doesn’t mean someone is trans). A guide to more gender identity terms here.
Gender Inequality
How society treats men, women, and non-binary people unequally based on perceived biological, psychological, or cultural differences. It’s prevalent in issues of life expectancy, education, careers, etc. See more on the causes of gender inequality, as well as a snapshot from the United Nations on the current state of gender inequality around the world.
How society treats men, women, and non-binary people unequally based on perceived biological, psychological, or cultural differences. It’s prevalent in issues of life expectancy, education, careers, etc. See more on the causes of gender inequality, as well as a snapshot from the United Nations on the current state of gender inequality around the world.
Gender Non-Conforming (GNC)
An individual whose gender expression does not match the societal norms and conventions associated with their gender (e.g. men wearing dresses, women playing football). Not all transgender or non-binary people are GNC, and not all GNC people are trans or non-binary. For more.
An individual whose gender expression does not match the societal norms and conventions associated with their gender (e.g. men wearing dresses, women playing football). Not all transgender or non-binary people are GNC, and not all GNC people are trans or non-binary. For more.
Gender-Diverse
A term to describe gender identities, roles, and expressions that fall outside the binary framework. Gender diversity specifically acknowledges the many ways (e.g., culturally, spiritually) people identify beyond masculine/feminine norms. More on gender diversity here and a map of gender-diverse cultures here.
A term to describe gender identities, roles, and expressions that fall outside the binary framework. Gender diversity specifically acknowledges the many ways (e.g., culturally, spiritually) people identify beyond masculine/feminine norms. More on gender diversity here and a map of gender-diverse cultures here.
Genderfluid
A person whose gender identity is fluid, not consistently adhering to one fixed gender. At different times, they may understand their gender to be aligned with a particular gender identity (e.g., non-binary, man, woman, agender) or a combination of identities. For more.
A person whose gender identity is fluid, not consistently adhering to one fixed gender. At different times, they may understand their gender to be aligned with a particular gender identity (e.g., non-binary, man, woman, agender) or a combination of identities. For more.
Genderqueer
A person who blurs and/or rejects the boundaries of the man/woman gender binary – seeing themselves as both man and woman, neither, or outside of these categories. Genderqueer people often, though not always, have a queer sexual orientation as well. For more.
A person who blurs and/or rejects the boundaries of the man/woman gender binary – seeing themselves as both man and woman, neither, or outside of these categories. Genderqueer people often, though not always, have a queer sexual orientation as well. For more.
Generational Trauma
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
The long-term psychological effects of trauma (both personal and communal) that can be passed down through generations of families and cultures. Beyond psychological, these generational effects are also familial, social, cultural, neurobiological, and possibly even genetic.
Ghetto
A racist and classist term for poor Black neighborhoods. It ignores the role of government policy in creating blight and suggests there’s no way to correct it.
A racist and classist term for poor Black neighborhoods. It ignores the role of government policy in creating blight and suggests there’s no way to correct it.
G.I. Bill
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, but the term "G.I. Bill" is still used to refer to programs created to assist some of the U.S. military veterans. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 further expanded benefits, providing veterans with funding for the full cost of any public college in their state. The G.I. Bill was also modified through the passage of the Forever G.I. Bill in 2017 and is housed within the VA Benefits department, one of three departments within the VA.
The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, but the term "G.I. Bill" is still used to refer to programs created to assist some of the U.S. military veterans. The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 further expanded benefits, providing veterans with funding for the full cost of any public college in their state. The G.I. Bill was also modified through the passage of the Forever G.I. Bill in 2017 and is housed within the VA Benefits department, one of three departments within the VA.
Graysexual (Gray-A)
A catch-all term for someone who identifies somewhere on the asexual spectrum or between “sexual” and “asexual” (i.e., in the “gray area”). Note: Sometimes spelled “greysexual.” More on the graysexual spectrum here.
A catch-all term for someone who identifies somewhere on the asexual spectrum or between “sexual” and “asexual” (i.e., in the “gray area”). Note: Sometimes spelled “greysexual.” More on the graysexual spectrum here.
Group Home
A group home is a congregate residence intended to serve as an alternative to a family foster home. Group homes are licensed and staffed to provide care for several children at the same time. Many states have phased out the use of group homes due to their poor conditions, higher rates of abuse, increased isolation, and worse outcomes for youth living in them compared to those placed in family foster homes. Also called a short-term residential therapeutic program (STRTP). For more.
Guardianship
A legal term that denotes when someone is appointed by a court to be the legal guardian of a minor. More information on guardianship and how it relates to foster care and adoption here.
Hapa
In the Hawaiian language, a word that means “half” or “part.” Among Hawaiians, the term is used to refer to someone who is of mixed ethnic heritage. There is some debate around who gets to use this word and how it’s used, which you can read more about here.
In the Hawaiian language, a word that means “half” or “part.” Among Hawaiians, the term is used to refer to someone who is of mixed ethnic heritage. There is some debate around who gets to use this word and how it’s used, which you can read more about here.
Hawaii vs. Hawai’i
In English, “Hawaii” refers to the U.S. state, and “Hawai’i” refers to the largest island within the state. However, in the Hawaiian language, the spelling of the state is “Hawai’i,” a spelling that should be used to honor Native Hawaiians. Because of the Hawaiian Statehood Act of 1959, which used “Hawaii,” the spelling of the state in English cannot officially be changed without an Act of Congress. (Note: “Hawaiian” is always spelled without the ‘okina.)
In English, “Hawaii” refers to the U.S. state, and “Hawai’i” refers to the largest island within the state. However, in the Hawaiian language, the spelling of the state is “Hawai’i,” a spelling that should be used to honor Native Hawaiians. Because of the Hawaiian Statehood Act of 1959, which used “Hawaii,” the spelling of the state in English cannot officially be changed without an Act of Congress. (Note: “Hawaiian” is always spelled without the ‘okina.)
Healthcare Disparities (For Veterans)
In 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated its Health Equity Action Plan to eliminate disparities for veterans. Goals include strengthening leadership to address disparities; increasing awareness of the significance of health disparities; improving racial and ethnic data availability and health care outcomes; and increasing health-related workforce diversity. But the VA has a long way to go. See here.
In 2019, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated its Health Equity Action Plan to eliminate disparities for veterans. Goals include strengthening leadership to address disparities; increasing awareness of the significance of health disparities; improving racial and ethnic data availability and health care outcomes; and increasing health-related workforce diversity. But the VA has a long way to go. See here.
Heteronormativity
The inaccurate belief that heterosexuality is the default, natural, or normal expression of sexuality. It upholds the false gender binary consisting of two distinct, opposite genders and the notion that sexual and marital relationships should be between people of “opposite” sexes (i.e., a man and a woman who conform to rigid notions of gender, sexuality, and gender roles).
The inaccurate belief that heterosexuality is the default, natural, or normal expression of sexuality. It upholds the false gender binary consisting of two distinct, opposite genders and the notion that sexual and marital relationships should be between people of “opposite” sexes (i.e., a man and a woman who conform to rigid notions of gender, sexuality, and gender roles).