LANGUAGE

          Language plays an important role not only in reducing heterosexual bias, but also in increasing the visibility of GLBT people and promoting positive images. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people often are rendered invisible by the general media which take the heterosexual orientation of their readers for granted. Unless one is referring specifically to heterosexual people, writing and speaking should be free of heterosexual bias.

• Inclusive Language – Inclusive language creates openings for people to share their whole self and life with you. Non-Inclusive language reveals assumptions that keep doors to dialogue closed. Use inclusive, non-gender specific language that does not assume heterosexuality. For instance, use:

  • Partner or date, instead of spouse, wife, husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend.
  • Committed relationship instead of marriage or parents instead of mother and father.
  • Neutral pronouns that don’t assume the sex of someone’s partner, such as person, someone, anyone.