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
We discussed the meaning of ‘Intersex’ and mentioned this film
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
Language is important
Language is powerful
Language is creative
Language changes over time
The SAND Resource bank includes a tab for ‘Language’
It’s complicated!
What anyone does about their feelings/thoughts will depend on a whole host of factors
- Own sense of self
- Confidence – self-esteem
- Family upbringing/messages
- Peer group – pressures
- Religious background
- Country born in
- Legal, moral and social context
- Town live in
- Access to others similar to you
YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN MODULE 02 LANGUAGE, TERMINOLOGY & LABELS