Diversity Dictionary

The culture of people in a given geographic region, including their language, heritage, religion and customs. Ethnicity is not the same as race or nationality.

A biracial person identifies as coming from two races; a person whose biological parents are of two different races. A biracial person may identify more strongly with one race or culture over another, and their racial identity may change over time. A biracial person may also identify as being bicultural, meaning they may understand, feel […]

An acronym that stands for Black, Indigenous, People of Color. As an alternative to “POC” (People of Color), “BIPOC” is a more specific descriptor of the experiences of Black and Indigenous people. “POC” has been criticized for overgeneralizing the experiences of racial minorities, and “BIPOC” is a reaction to this criticism. However, “POC” does have […]

Commonly shortened to “trans.” It is frequently used as an umbrella term to refer to all people who deviate from their assigned sex at birth and/or the binary gender system. This term can include transsexual people, genderqueer/nonbinary people, drag kings, drag queens, two-spirit people and others. Some transgender people feel they exist not within the […]

Refers to the gender(s) that a person is emotionally, physically, romantically and/or sexually attracted to. Examples of sexual orientation include homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual and asexual. Sexual orientation, like many other identities, exists on a spectrum, and may change throughout a person’s life. Sexual orientation is not related to gender, biological sex, gender identity, or gender […]

Separate from gender, this term refers to the cluster of biological, chromosomal, and anatomical features associated with maleness and femaleness in the human body. Sex is often used synonymously with gender in Western culture. Although the two terms are related, they should be defined separately to differentiate the biological (“sex”) from the sociocultural (“gender”). Additionally, […]

Refers to an individual who is uncertain of their sexual orientation, gender or identity. Importantly, the “Q” in LGBTQIA does not stand for questioning.

A reclaimed anti-gay slur, “queer” is now used as an umbrella term that can refer to anyone who transgresses society’s view of gender, sexual orientation or sexuality. The “Q” in LGBTQIA stands for “queer.”

Pronouns are a part of speech used to refer to someone or something without a proper noun. Different languages and cultures have different kinds of pronouns, not all of which are limited to the gender binary. In English, when referring to a person, traditionally the only acceptable pronouns have been “she/her” and “he/him.” However, there […]

Originally adopted by the LGBTQIA community, a partner refers to a person who is romantically significant to an individual. Importantly, the term “partner” does not refer to any gender, and is meant to be an inclusive term. Many people refer to their significant other(s) as their partner(s), regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity.