The language used to describe sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sexual characteristics varies widely around the world, depending not only on individual characteristics such as age, gender, socio-cultural status, but also on the culture of reference in a specific place at a specific time. However, there are some terms commonly used in the international context.
Some of these terms are included in this glossary, in the hope that it may help to understand certain concepts and to use more appropriate and inclusive language.
Remember, however, that it is always fundamental to respect the autonomy of individuals in self-defining and self-affirming their identity.
Acronyms
EDI
EDI stands for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion a...
EDI stands for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and is a term increasingly used by the EU and in institutional settings.
LGBTQI+
An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender...
An acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer. The plus sign represents people gender or sexual orientation diverse who identify using other terms. In some contexts, LGB, LGBT or LGBTI are used to refer to particular populations. Additional characters may be added, such as A for asexual or agender.
GENDER STEREOTYPES
Gender stereotypes are preconceived ideas whereby ...
Gender stereotypes are preconceived ideas whereby males and females are arbitrarily assigned characteristics and roles determined and limited by their sex.
MICROAGGRESSION
Microaggressions are verbal expressions, attitudes...
Microaggressions are verbal expressions, attitudes and behaviors, intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, negative messages, insults and insults towards members of oppressed/marginalised social groups. The prefix micro does not describe the quality or impact of these aggressions, but rather the insidious way in which this type of discrimination occurs, making microaggressions difficult to recognise, identify and prove.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
The term "work-life balance" refers ...
The term "work-life balance" refers not only to caring for dependent relatives, but also to "extracurricular" responsibilities or important life priorities. Work arrangements should be sufficiently flexible to enable workers of both sexes to undertake lifelong learning activities and further professional and personal development, not necessarily directly related to the worker's job.
BIAS
Biases, or rather cognitive biases, are distortion...
Biases, or rather cognitive biases, are distortions that people implement in their evaluations of facts and events.
Communication
it is the main relationship tool humans have at th...
it is the main relationship tool humans have at their disposal to create and maintain interaction with their fellow humans.
Non-verbal communication
this is what is known as body language and is mani...
this is what is known as body language and is manifested whenever one person conveys information to another through looks, gestures, voice, using one or more non-verbal cues simultaneously;
Passive style
communication mode of avoiding responsibility...
communication mode of avoiding responsibility
Self-efficacy
A person's belief that they can success at a given...
A person's belief that they can success at a given task
Self-determination
The ability to successfully take charge of your ow...
The ability to successfully take charge of your own life
Self-advocacy
Making decisions about your own life, speaking up ...
Making decisions about your own life, speaking up for yourself and establishing your rights and responsibilities
Intrinsic Motivation
This refers to enjoyable tasks which team members ...
This refers to enjoyable tasks which team members enjoy and therefore do not find them difficult.
Extrinsic Motivation
This type of motivation is found when a team membe...
This type of motivation is found when a team member is completing a task either due to a potential reward or fear of negative consequences if they do not complete
Cultural Sensitivity
Awareness, understanding, and consideration of cul...
Awareness, understanding, and consideration of cultural differences, norms, beliefs, and practices when interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds. It involves recognizing that people from different cultures may have distinct perspectives, values, and communication styles
Bias
Bias refers to a systematic and often subconscious...
Bias refers to a systematic and often subconscious inclination, preference, or prejudice that influences one's judgment, decision-making, and perception of people, situations, or information.
Ageism Bias
the hiring team intentionally removes personal inf...
the hiring team intentionally removes personal information from resumes that could reveal a candidate's age, such as birthdate, graduation year, or specific work history dates
Workplace inclusion
Workplace inclusion refers to the deliberate and p...
Workplace inclusion refers to the deliberate and proactive effort to create an environment where all individuals, regardless of their diverse backgrounds, identities, and perspectives, feel valued, respected, and fully integrated into the organizational culture
Acronym D&I definition
Diversity and Inclusion...
Diversity and Inclusion
Implicit bias
unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can infl...
unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that can influence decision-making, including in recruitment and selection processes and employees' career development paths. Learning to recognise and mitigate implicit bias is essential for ensuring fair opportunities for all candidates.
Inclusive leadership
leadership that values diversity and promotes a se...
leadership that values diversity and promotes a sense of belonging in the workplace. HR professionals must empower an inclusive leadership style to foster a positive and inclusive workspace culture.
Diversity competence
the ability to understand, appreciate, and effecti...
the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively interact with people from diverse backgrounds, genders, and other dimensions of diversity. It is a crucial component of upskilling HR professionals in diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where everyone is accepted and valued for their unique attributes and experiences.
Active listening
a crucial soft skill that involves fully focusing,...
a crucial soft skill that involves fully focusing, understanding, and responding to what others are saying. Active listening is vital for HR professionals to navigate diversity and inclusion challenges effectively.
Succession planning
a strategic process for identifying and developing...
a strategic process for identifying and developing talent within a company to ensure a diverse and inclusive leadership pipeline. Equitable succession planning is essential for promoting career development opportunities for all employees.
EMPOWERMENT
It refers to a process of acquiring power, i.e. in...
It refers to a process of acquiring power, i.e. increasing the possibilities of individuals and groups to have control over their own lives. The meaning of empowerment is thus linked to the positive meaning of the term "power": it is not a "power over" someone or something but a "power to" actively intervene in one's life in order to change it and achieve one's goals.
AGENCY/SELF-AGENCY
Agency (or self-agency) is the feeling of being ab...
Agency (or self-agency) is the feeling of being able to influence the external environment and to have power over the outcome of events.
GENDER DISCRIMINATION
Gender discrimination is defined as: "Any d...
Gender discrimination is defined as: "Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." [United Nations, 1979. 'Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women'. Article 1]
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Any act of violence targeting an individual on the...
Any act of violence targeting an individual on the basis of their gender. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, the threats of such acts, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public
or private life.
DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
According to the definition of Diversity Managemen...
According to the definition of Diversity Management proposed by the European Union, the expression indicates "the active and conscious development of a forward-looking, value-oriented, strategic and communicative management process of acceptance of differences and use of some differences and similarities as an organization's potential, a process that creates added value for the enterprise".
The Diversity Management initiatives have therefore the objective of improving the capabilities and peculiarities of individuals by promoting their empowerment, aiming at respect and enhancement of diversity.
Diversity
refers to the presence of a wide range of human qu...
refers to the presence of a wide range of human qualities and attributes within an organization, community, or society. It encompasses differences in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, and various other characteristics that make individuals unique
Inclusion
is the practice of actively involving and valuing ...
is the practice of actively involving and valuing people with diverse backgrounds and characteristics. It ensures that all individuals, regardless of their differences, feel a sense of belonging, are heard, and have equal access to opportunities and resources
Equity
focuses on creating fair and just opportunities an...
focuses on creating fair and just opportunities and outcomes for all individuals, especially those from historically marginalized or underrepresented groups. It seeks to address systemic disparities and ensure that everyone has access to the same advantages and resources required to succeed
DEI leadership
involves individuals or roles within an organizati...
involves individuals or roles within an organization that are responsible for driving and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. DEI leaders work to foster a diverse and inclusive culture and ensure equity in various aspects of the organization
DEI in microenterprises
refers to the practice of promoting and managing d...
refers to the practice of promoting and managing diversity, equity, and inclusion in small businesses or organizations with a limited number of employees. It involves strategies and initiatives aimed at creating a more inclusive and equitable work environment within the constraints of a smaller organizational structure.
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Sex characteristics
SEX
The classification of a person as having female, m...
The classification of a person as having female, male and/or intersex sex characteristics. While infants are usually assigned the sex of male or female at birth based on the appearance of their external anatomy alone, a person's sex is also a combination of chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, etc.
ASSIGNED SEX AT BIRTH
The sex that is assigned to a person at birth, typ...
The sex that is assigned to a person at birth, typically based on the infant's external anatomy.
Today, the acronyms AFAB, 'assigned female at birth', and AMAB, 'assigned male at birth', are used to refer respectively to persons with typically female or typically male sexual characteristics at birth, regardless of their gender identity and gender expression.
INTERSEX
Intersex people are born with sex characteristics ...
Intersex people are born with sex characteristics that don't fit typical definitions of male and female bodies.
Intersex is an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of natural bodily variations. Some of these variations may be apparent before or at birth, while others are not apparent until after puberty or later, or may not be physically apparent at all. There are more than 40 intersex variations; experts estimate between 0.5% and 1.7% of the population is born with intersex traits.
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Gender
GENDER
The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activit...
The socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for a certain gender.
GENDER ROLE
It refers to the social attributes and opportuniti...
It refers to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between women and men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes. They are context/ time-specific and changeable. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman or a man in a given context.
GENDER STEREOTYPES
Gender stereotypes are preconceived ideas whereby ...
Gender stereotypes are preconceived ideas whereby males and females are arbitrarily assigned characteristics and roles determined and limited by their sex. Sex stereotyping can limit the development of the natural talents and abilities of boys and girls, women and men, their educational and professional experiences as well as life opportunities in general They are used to justify and maintain the historical relations of power of men over women.
GENDER BINARISM
A traditionally concept classifying gender into tw...
A traditionally concept classifying gender into two distinct, supposedly "opposite" forms, labeled men and women. It is clear the gender binary fails to capture the nuances of lived gender experiences. Adherence to the gender binary in language (for example, by using male/female pronouns or only referencing men, boys, women and girls), data collection and services excludes other genders and limits our ability to provide appropriate and respectful assistance.
GENDER NEUTRAL
It refers to something designed for all people, i....
It refers to something designed for all people, i.e. open to all genders. An example might be facilities not labelled as gender-specific spaces, such as gender-neutral toilets or changing rooms.
GENDER EQUALITY
Equality of rights, responsibilities and opportuni...
Equality of rights, responsibilities and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their gender. Equality does not mean that all individuals are equal, but that rights, responsibilities and opportunities do not depend on the sex assigned at birth, gender, gender identity or gender expression.
Equality among people, including cisgender and transgender men and women, other trans identities, non-binary people and gender diverse people, is considered both a human rights issue and a prerequisite and indicator of sustainable people-centred development.
When gender inequality exists, generally subordinate subjectivities are cisgender and transgender women, other trans identities, non-binary persons and gender diverse persons, excluded or disadvantaged in relation to decision-making and access to social and economic resources.
GENDER EQUITY
Equity is a process through which individuals of a...
Equity is a process through which individuals of all genders, including cisgender and transgender men and women, other trans identities, non-binary people and gender diverse persons achieve or could achieve equality.
Gender equity may involve the use of temporary special measures to compensate for the historical and systemic prejudice and discrimination suffered by the subjectivities mentioned above.
Equity is a means; equality is the result.
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Sexual orientation
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
Each person's profound emotional, affectional and ...
Each person's profound emotional, affectional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and/or sexual relations with, individuals of a different gender or the same gender or more than one gender.
HOMOSEXUAL
A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical...
A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to people of the same gender.
HETEROSEXUAL
A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical...
A person whose romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to people of a different gender.
BISEXUAL
A person who has the capacity for romantic, emotio...
A person who has the capacity for romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction to people of more than one gender.
PANSEXUAL
A person who has the capacity for romantic, emotio...
A person who has the capacity for romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction to people of any gender.
ASEXUAL
A person who may experience romantic or emotional ...
A person who may experience romantic or emotional attraction, but generally does not experience sexual attraction. Demisexual and greysexual/grey-asexual describe people with varying degrees of sexual attraction.
GAY
Men whose enduring romantic, emotional and/or phys...
Men whose enduring romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to men; also, women who are attracted to other women.
LESBIAN
A woman whose enduring romantic, emotional and/or ...
A woman whose enduring romantic, emotional and/or physical attraction is to women.
QUEER
Traditionally a negative term, queer has been recl...
Traditionally a negative term, queer has been reclaimed by some people and is considered inclusive of a wide range of different sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. It can be used as an umbrella term for people with different sexual orientations or gender diverse people or the acronym LGBT.
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Gender identit
GENDER IDENTITY
Each person's deeply felt internal and individual ...
Each person's deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with their sex assigned at birth or the gender attributed to them by society. It includes the personal sense of the body, which may or may not involve a desire for modification of appearance or function of the body by medical, surgical or other means.
CIS/CISGENDER
A person whose gender identity and the sex they we...
A person whose gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth align.
TRANS/TRANSGENDER
Terms used by some people whose gender identity di...
Terms used by some people whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans, transgender and non-binary are "umbrella terms" representing a variety of words that describe an internal sense of appartenance to a gender, to more gender or no gender.
NON-BINARY PEOPLE
An adjective describing people whose gender identi...
An adjective describing people whose gender identity falls outside the male-female binary. Non-binary is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide variety of gender experiences, including people with a specific gender identity other than man or woman, people who identify as two or more genders (bigender or pan/polygender) and people who don't identify with any gender (agender).
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Gender expression
GENDER EXPRESSION
Individuals use a range of cues, such as names, pr...
Individuals use a range of cues, such as names, pronouns, behavior, clothing, voice, mannerisms and/or bodily characteristics, to interpret genders. Gender expression is not necessarily an accurate reflection of gender identity. People with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics do not necessarily have a diverse gender expression. Likewise, people who do not have a diverse sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics may have a diverse gender expression.
GENDER NON-CONFORMING
Behavior or appearance that is not in alignment wi...
Behavior or appearance that is not in alignment with prevailing cultural expectations related to a particular gender. The term can apply to all individuals, regardless of gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.
PASSING
To be perceived as cisgender or heterosexual by ot...
To be perceived as cisgender or heterosexual by others. People who "pass" are less exposed to violence and discrimination but typically must keep their diverse gender identity or sexual orientation concealed to maintain a level of safety. "Passing" is not a goal for all people with diverse gender or sexual orientation and is not attainable for many due to circumstantial, familial, medical, physiological, and financial barriers.
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Personal and social challenges
COMING OUT
Originating in American gay communities in the ear...
Originating in American gay communities in the early 20th century, this term describes a process of self-acceptance that brings individuals to share their identity with others.
OUTING
It refers to an individual having to share their s...
It refers to an individual having to share their sexual identity with others when such sharing is not desired. For example, this may occur when an individual has to share details about a same-sex spouse or display an identity document that does not reflect their gender expression.
HETEROSEXISM/HETERONORMATIVITY
Viewing heterosexuality as superior; assuming all ...
Viewing heterosexuality as superior; assuming all people are heterosexual.
AGENCY/SELF-AGENCY
Agency (or self-agency) is the feeling of being ab...
Agency (or self-agency) is the feeling of being able to influence the external environment and to have power over the outcome of events.
EMPOWERMENT
It refers to a process of acquiring power, i.e. in...
It refers to a process of acquiring power, i.e. increasing the possibilities of individuals and groups to have control over their own lives. The meaning of empowerment is thus linked to the positive meaning of the term 'power': it is not a 'power over' someone or something but a 'power to' actively intervene in one's life in order to change it and achieve one's goals.
VULNERABLE PERSON
Minors, unaccompanied minors, people with disabili...
Minors, unaccompanied minors, people with disabilities, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents with minor children, victims of trafficking in human beings, persons with serious illnesses, persons with mental disorders and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence.
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Inclusion and discrimination
INCLUSION
It represents a process by which a given context c...
It represents a process by which a given context changes to allow a given group of individuals to be and feel welcomed and part of the system.
DISCRIMINATION
Unequal or unfair treatment which can be based on ...
Unequal or unfair treatment which can be based on a range of grounds, such as age, ethnic background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Can lead to victimisation and harassment.
DIRECT DISCRIMINATION
Direct discrimination occurs when a difference in ...
Direct discrimination occurs when a difference in treatment relies directly and explicitly on distinctions based exclusively on sex, gender or other identitary characteristics, which cannot be justified objectively.
INDIRECT DISCRIMINATION
Indirect discrimination occurs where an apparently...
Indirect discrimination occurs where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put persons of one sex, gender or other specific identitary characteristics at a particular disadvantage.
INTERSECTIONALITY
The term "intersectionality" refers ...
The term "intersectionality" refers to the overlapping (or "intersection") of different social identities and those that may be their discrimination or oppression.
GENDER DISCRIMINATION
Gender discrimination is defined as: "Any d...
Gender discrimination is defined as: "Any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on the basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." [United Nations, 1979. "Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women". Article 1]
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Any act of violence targeting an individual on the...
Any act of violence targeting an individual on the basis of their gender. It includes acts that inflict physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering, the threats of such acts, coercion and arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
HOMO-, BI-, TRANS- AND INTERSEXPHOBIA
Aversion against gay or lesbian people, bisexual p...
Aversion against gay or lesbian people, bisexual people, transgender people or intersex people, respectively, which may manifest in exclusionary behavior, stigma, harassment, discrimination and/or violence.
MINORITY STRESS
The minority stress model draws attention to the c...
The minority stress model draws attention to the chronic stress that sexual and gender minorities can experience as a result of the stigmatisation they suffer. According to the minority stress model, therefore, LGBTQ+ people face a greater amount of stress than others because, in addition to common sources of stress, they experience stress resulting from cultural discrimination.
VICTIMISATION
A specific term describing discrimination that a p...
A specific term describing discrimination that a person suffers because they have made a complaint or been a witness in another person's complaint.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE
Intimate partner violence encompasses all forms of...
Intimate partner violence encompasses all forms of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence and affects all persons regardless of gender and age. Intimate partner violence occurs in all relationship constellations and may continue even after a relationship has ended.
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Any act of gender-based violence that results in, ...
Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.
MICROAGGRESSION
Microaggressions are verbal expressions, attitudes...
Microaggressions are verbal expressions, attitudes and behaviors, intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, negative messages, insults and insults towards members of oppressed/marginalised social groups. The prefix micro does not describe the quality or impact of these aggressions, but rather the insidious way in which this type of discrimination occurs, making microaggressions difficult to recognise, identify and prove.
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Inclusion and discrimination in working environment
GENDER SEGREGATION
Gender segregation manifests itself in differences...
Gender segregation manifests itself in differences in patterns of representation of women and men in labour market, public and political life, unpaid domestic work and caring, and in young women's and men's choice of education.
DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
According to the definition of Diversity Managemen...
According to the definition of Diversity Management proposed by the European Union, the expression indicates "the active and conscious development of a forward-looking, value-oriented, strategic and communicative management process of acceptance of differences and use of some differences and similarities as an organization's potential, a process that creates added value for the enterprise".
The Diversity Management initiatives have therefore the objective of improving the capabilities and peculiarities of individuals by promoting their empowerment, aiming at respect and enhancement of diversity.
MOBBING
Systematic persecution in the workplace by colleag...
Systematic persecution in the workplace by colleagues or superiors against an individual, consisting mostly of small daily acts of social exclusion, psychological violence or professional sabotage, but which can go as far as physical aggression.
This can have a person as victim only for his gender or sexual orientation.
GENDER PAY GAP
Gender pay gap is a difference in pay that sees wo...
Gender pay gap is a difference in pay that sees women receiving lower wages on equal terms with men.
GENDER-SENSITIVE LANGUAGE
Gender-sensitive language relates to the use of th...
Gender-sensitive language relates to the use of the written and spoken language so that women and men are equally treated and considered. It requires avoiding talking in generic masculine terms, excluding women or reflecting stereotyped assumptions about gender roles.
Being aware of the importance of gender-sensitive language could lead to the promotion of gender sensitivity, and also to a higher degree of precision.
Gender-sensitive language can be used, for example, in company documents and communications.
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
The term "work-life balance" refers ...
The term "work-life balance" refers not only to caring for dependent relatives, but also to "extracurricular" responsibilities or important life priorities. Work arrangements should be sufficiently flexible to enable workers of both sexes to undertake lifelong learning activities and further professional and personal development, not necessarily directly related to the worker's job.
However, for the purposes of the Convention and States' obligations in this rather vague area, the balance between work and family life is central to the principle and objectives of promoting equal opportunity and the more equal sharing between men and women of responsibilities in the family and household as well as in the workplace.
GENDER EQUALITY TRAINING
Is a broad concept which encompasses any education...
Is a broad concept which encompasses any educational tool or process that aims to make policy-makers and other actors in the EU and Member States more aware of gender equality issues, build their gender competence and enable them to promote gender equality goals in their work at all levels. Gender equality training has been understood to cover a wide range of different educational tools and processes: face to face training events and courses of study, staff induction, online modules, guidance materials and related resources, consultancy arrangements, and networks for sharing expertise.
