Stands for alternative text. Alt-text can be inserted into presentations, word documents, websites, etc. The purpose of including alt-text is to provide a description, in words, of any images in your work. Alt-text ensures that screen readers can support users to engage with images.

refers to a broad range of human differences, including but not limited to ethnicity, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic position, ability, age, religion, and national origin. Further, as an academic institution, we are informed by diverse knowledge sharing practices and ways of thought.

exists when responsibilities, resources, and opportunities are distributed fairly and justly among all group members and done so in a manner that works to resolve historical and current disadvantages for under-represented and marginalized groups.

exists when all community members are recognized, respected, and welcomed, as well as enabled to freely engage with, question, and shape the community’s activities. A critical aspect of inclusion is being mindful of the impact that differences in power and privilege can have on perceptions, experiences, relationships, and freedom of expression.

A term coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw. Crenshaw’s work on critical race theory and intersectionality provides a framework for understanding that the facets of our identities are not “detachable” from one another, and that inequalities can compound. Individuals who embody multiple marginalized identities (for example, Black trans women, disabled queer people, women of colour) are exposed to multiple forms of systemic oppression, and these experiences of oppression compound one another.

Used to refer to the ways that we can view, treat, and write about people (or experiences) as fundamentally different from and alien to ourselves.

2 Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Bisexual, Queer, Intersex, Asexual & Aromantic.[2] There are many variations of this acronym. For this Glossary, I have used 2SLGTBQIA to signal that Two Spirit people and experiences are Indigenous and pre-date other queer people and experiences in these territories. 

For more information on the term 2 Spirit (or Two-Spirit) and how to use it respectfully and accurately, see Harlan Pruden’s Two-Spirit Conversations and Work.

Many people do not identify with the terms breast or breastfeeding, as these have a long history of being gendered female. Some people will therefore refer to the activity of feeding an infant from their bodies as chestfeeding.

Used to refer to people who identify exclusively with the biological sex they were assigned at birth. Cismale and cisfemale therefore refer to people who identify with maleness and femaleness in a way that corresponds with the biological sex they were assigned at birth.

Slang way to refer to people who are cis-gender and heterosexual. 

Both of these terms are gender neutral ways to refer to groups of people. The term folx provides a way of signaling that you are specifically and explicitly including trans and non-binary people.

Refers to the understanding that there are only two genders – male and female. Furthermore, according to the gender binary, these two genders are separate and opposite. The gender binary is a cultural understanding and has powerfully informed many social structures and institutions. Consider, for example, the prevalence of gender segregated washrooms. These social structures and institutions impact all of our lives, but not equally. 

Sometimes used interchangeably with the term non-binary (see description below). This term combines the words gender and queer and is often used by people who are actively engaged in queering gender. Queering gender involves challenging the gender binary through gender expression and identity.

Used to refer to the social assumption that it is normal to be heterosexual and cisgender. Some examples of heteronormativity include gender segregated washrooms and the frequent depiction of families as “normally”[1] including a (cisgender) mother and father who have a direct biological relationship with their children.

Used to challenge the idea that there are only two genders (i.e., male and female). Non-binary folks (or folxs, see glossary entry above) use this term to signal that their gender-identity and/or gender-expression does not align with a binary understanding of gender, regardless of the biological sex they were assigned at birth.

Used to refer to instances where aspects of someone’s identity are discussed without their permission. The term comes from the expression that LGTBQIA2S people are “in the closet” about aspects of their identities, until they “come out.”[3] Being outed refers to situations where an individual has not chosen to come out about aspects of their identity, but that information is revealed by someone else.

The expression “coming out” seems to imply an event that happens only once. However, we all actually choose what information to provide about ourselves in many different circumstances, and over the course of our lives. Furthermore, many have challenged the notion that queer people, and only queer people, should disclose information about their sexual or romantic identities. This idea rests on heteronormative assumptions.

Pronouns are words that can take the place of a noun in a sentence. The English language has binary gendered third person singular pronouns (she/her/hers and he/him/his): there are only two options and they are both assigned a gender. Some other languages have more options, or options that are not gendered. Because gender is not, in fact, binary, these English language pronoun options are too limited. The third person plural pronoun “they/them” can be used as a gender neutral alternative to gendered pronouns. Using they/them as a gender neutral third person pronoun is grammatically correct, even when the pronoun is taking the place of a singular noun. Here is an example: “Rico is so smart. I hope they are in my group for the project!” 

Straight is used to refer to people who self-identify as heterosexual. 

Used to refer to people who do not identify their gender exclusively with the biological sex they were assigned at birth. The term trans is often associated with transitioning from one recognized gender identity to another. For example, a person may self-identify as trans or transgender if they were assigned male at birth and have since transitioned to a female gender-identity and expression. Some related terms include AFAB (Assigned Female at Birth) and AMAB (Assigned Male at Birth). Note that a gender transition can involve many stages and may or may not include things like hormone therapy and surgery.

"One who is supporting an antiracist policy through their actions or expressing an antiracist idea" (Kendi, 2019, p. 13). 

In his book How to be an Antiracist (2019), Ibram X. Kendi encourages us to move away from the idea of being "not racist," and to focus on the ways that we can take up explicitly antiracist work. Antiracist work is actively directed toward dismantling racist policies, procedures, structures, institutions, and ideas. 

Antisemitism refers to "hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). 

Antisemitism is often not included in conversations focused on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) or Antiracism. However, antisemitism is a form of prejudice and can result in violence. Addressing antisemitism is therefore an important part of dismantling inequity and promoting inclusion. 

Used to refer to people with black skin, and to a racial identity. In some cases, the term Black can also be used to refer to a specific cultural identity. In the context of white supremacy (as described below), the term Black is often associated with naming, calling out, and analyzing anti-Black racism.

BIPOC is an acronymn that stands for Black Peoples, Indigenous Peoples, People(s) of Colour/Indigenous Peoples, Black Peoples, and People(s) of Colour. Variations of this acronym are also sometimes used.

IBPOC: Indigenous Peoples, Black Peoples, and Peoples of Colour. This order is often used to recognize the presence of Indigenous Peoples in a place prior to occupation by non-Indigenous Peoples. 

BIMPOC: Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, People(s) of Colour.

QTIBIPOC: Queer, Trans, and Intersex, Black, Indigenous, People(s) of Colour.

QTIBIMPOC: Queer, Trans, and Intersex, Black, Indigenous, Multiracial, People(s) of Colour. Several of these variations make the intersections of identities clear. See glossary description for the term intersectionality. It should be further noted that identity labelling is complex and often contested. The acronym BIPOC (and its variations) has been challenged for its tendency to collapse the unique experiences of Indigenous Peoples, Black Peoples, and Peoples of Colour. Recalling that specificity is a core principle of inclusive writing, it is preferable to write specifically and directly about the experiences of particular people or groups of people, rather than trying to generalize across a wide swath of experiences. 

Used to refer to a culture in which white people are systematically privileged at the direct expense of all peoples who are not white or white presenting.

The term Indigenous is a collective noun used to refer to the Peoples and Nations that existed on Turtle Island prior to colonization, and continue to exist here now. Many people prefer the term Indigenous to other terms like Indian, Aboriginal, First Nations, or Native; however, the terms Aboriginal, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are all currently used in Canadian law. More information about how to use these terms respectfully in your writing can be found in the Black, Indigenous, People(s) of Colour (BIPOC) guide and in Dr. Gregory Younging’s Book Elements of Indigenous Style (2018).  

Islamophobia is "fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against Islam or people who practice Islam" (Merriam Webster Dictionary).

Islamophobia is a form of prejudice and can result in violence. 

The dictionary definition above references "fear and aversion" as primary drivers of Islamophobia. This definition derives from the "phobia" component of the term, as phobias are understood as extreme and/or irrational fears. However, many scholars and activists (including Talila A. Lewis*) are challenging the use of "phobia" and "phobic" as ableist language and recognizing that the medical diagnosis of an irrational fear is often quite separate from hatred and violence enacted against people and communities. 

Islamophobia is often discussed as a form of racism. However, as a recent article in The Peak explains, "Muslims are not a race, and the attempt to pigeonhole Islamophobia as just racism obscures the complex motivations behind this unique form of bias" (Guvendik). The complexities of Islamophobia are often not adequately addressed in conversations about Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) or Antiracism. 

* Note: the author heard Talila A. Lewis speak about this distinction but has not been able to find or link to specific writing about use of the terms "phobia" and "phobic." 

Used to refer to all people who are not white.[4] This term is often used to signal shared experiences of systemic oppression and racism in a culture of white supremacy. The term is pluralized (i.e., People(s) of Colour) to highlight the many people and experiences that are encompassed by it. While the term is controversial, especially when it is used in ways that erase the specific experiences of Black people and anti-Black racism, it is often preferred to terms like non-white, which continue to explicitly centre and normalize whiteness as a dominant experience. 

"One who is supporting a racist policy through their actions or inaction or expressing a racist idea" (Kendi, 2019, p. 13).

In How to be Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi clearly explains that there is no such thing as "not racist," only racist and antiracist. Academic institutions have long colonial and racist histories. We are therefore challenged to actively take up antiracist writing practices that change received conventions. When we do not do this, we perpetuate racism, even if that is not our goal or intention. 

Used to refer to those who are not Indigenous to a place and who either chose or had ancestors who chose to settle there. The term references the concept of settler colonialism. Because settler colonialism implies choice on the part of the individual settler (acknowledging that choices are often limited by a variety of socio-political and economic factors), the term is problematized in the case of those who are not Indigenous to a place, but whose ancestors were brought there forcibly. 

Used to refer to the lands that are now collectively known as North America without referencing the colonial names that have been given to these places (for example, Canada, the United States of America, North America). The term Turtle Island is a reference to an Anishinaabe creation story.

To concede something means to give it up. For example, in an argument I might say “I conceded that point,” as a way of saying that I see the other person’s perspective and have been convinced to give up my argument. Unceded means never given up, transferred or surrendered. The term unceded is often used in land or territorial acknowledgments to refer to lands or territories that were never given up and for which there are no treaties. Note: where there are treaties, lands and territories would not be considered unceded, though there are many contemporary legal challenges about the appropriateness of the treaties, the ways that they have been interpreted and applied, and the processes that were used to make them. The presence of specific treaties does not close the conversation on Indigenous land rights or sovereignty. However, the term unceded makes it clear that the ongoing occupation is illegal under international laws, such as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous/non-Indigenous relationships on unceded territories require unique forms of reconciliation and restitution.

Used to refer to people with white skin. The context of white supremacy (as defined above) means that the term white is also often associated with significant socio-cultural privilege.

Used to refer to people who have a cultural and/or racial identity that is not white, but who experience what has been called “white skin privilege” because of how they look.

This term is sometimes used to signal people who do not have physical disabilities. However, this term is considered harmful, since it implies that people with disabilities do not have “able bodies.” If you need to describe someone as not experiencing a physical disability, it is preferable to say that explicitly.   

Coined by Judy Singer in 1998, this term combines neurological and diversity and refers to “natural variation of human brains and minds” (“All Brains”). Neurodiversity recognizes that human neurology is both complex and diverse, and the term can be used to challenge the ableist view that there is one “normal,” “right,” or “healthy” form of human cognition.

The Neurodiversity Movement is a social justice movement focused on advocating for civil rights and full social inclusion for the neurodivergent (“All Brains”). The Neurodiversity Movement began with the Autism Rights Movement and the two movements are often still closely associated. However, the Neurodiversity Movement has a broader focus, advocating for all neurominorities (Walker). More information about both the Neurodiversity Movement and neurominorities can be found on Nick Walker’s blog Neurocosmopolitanism.

An adjective that can be used to recognize the neurodiversity of a group or context. Neurodiverse and neurodiversity are not terms to describe people. Instead, they describe groups and/or situations in which diverse forms of neurocognition are present. If a group has more than one neurocognitive style represented within it, it can be described as neurodiverse. The more neurocognitive styles that are represented, the more neurodiverse the group (Walker).

These terms are used to describe a person or people who diverge from the social standards for typical neurocognition. As Walker states, “groups are diverse; individuals diverge” (n.p.). The terms neurodivergent and neurodivergence were coined by Kassiane Asasumasu (Walker).

Neurodivergence can be innate (examples include dyslexia and epilepsy) or produced through brain-altering experiences (examples include the neurological changes brought on through devoted meditation practice, or through drug use). Some neurodivergence results from a combination of genetics (innate) and brain-altering experiences. Neurodivergence is not inherently positive or negative. 

The opposite of neurodivergent. This term is used to refer to people whose neurocognitive function meets the dominant social standards (Walker). The study of neurology has tended to focus on functions that have been deemed typical. Researchers and writers have therefore created the categories of typical and atypical. These categories are neither neutral nor inherent.

Writers use the term neurotypical to refer to people whose experiences tend to fall in line with the typical or normative study of neurology. This approach avoids reproducing the social standards of normal and abnormal cognition. Inclusive writing recognizes that there are many kinds of neurological experiences, and so neurodiversity is actually the norm of human cognition. 

The following Venn Diagram, reproduced from the “All Brains Are Beautiful” workshop (with permission[5]), visualizes the relationship between neurotypical and neurodivergent experiences. Note the overlapping spaces in the diagram: many people are allistic (non-autistic) and neurodivergent.

Neurology Venn Diagram

The image shows two large overlapping circles labelled Neurodivergent (minority neurology) and Allistic (non-autistic). Within each large circle is a smaller circle. The small circle on the Neurodivergent side is labelled Autistic. The small circle on the Allistic side is labelled Neurotypical (majority neurology). The diagram shows that there is significant overlap between the two large circles, indicating that the distinctions between neurotypical and neurodivergent are not as clear or simple as is often assumed.

Stimming is short for self-stimulation, which often includes repetitive body movements, actions, or spoken words/phrases. Everyone stims! Common examples include whistling, biting nails, tapping a pen or feet, twirling hair, rocking, and pacing. Autistic stimming differs based on frequency and social acceptability. While often misunderstood by allistic/neurotypical people, stimming helps with management of both internal and external sensations and emotions (“All Brains”). Stimming is also a way of communicating; the All Brains Are Beautiful workshop describes stimming as “Autistic body language.”