🔤 Gender, Sex, and Sexual Orientation

Includes terms for describing identity and expression

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Use clear, accurate, and respectful language. Avoid assumptions about identity, relationships, or roles.

Key distinctions:

• Gender refers to identity, roles, and social expression.

• Sex refers to biological characteristics.

• Sexual orientation refers to a person’s enduring attraction to others.

Use the term that best fits the context.

When to include

Include gender, sex, or sexual orientation only when it adds meaning.

Avoid including these details out of habit or stereotype.

Use:

• Names, pronouns, and identities people use for themselves

• Gender-neutral terms when gender is not relevant: partner, spouse, firefighter

• Clear, specific descriptions when relevant

Avoid:

• Assuming gender based on appearance, name, or role

• Outdated or clinical terms used casually

• Language that treats one gender as the norm

• Gendered wording when neutral alternatives are clear and widely used

Many traditional terms assume men as the default. Use neutral alternatives instead.

Decision points

What if I don’t know someone’s gender or pronouns?
Ask when it’s appropriate and possible. If not, avoid guessing. Use the person’s name or rewrite the sentence.

When should I ask?
Ask when the information is needed for accuracy and it is appropriate to do so; for example, when the person is a source, subject, or colleague.

When is gender relevant?
Include it when it helps explain the story. Leave it out when it does not.

How should I refer to relationships?
Use neutral terms when gender is unknown or not relevant: partner, spouse.

Word choice

Avoid terms that suggest gender bias or hierarchy:

• Avoid chairman, use chair

• Avoid man-made, use manufactured, synthetic, human-made

• Avoid manpower, use workforce, labor, staff

• Avoid manned, use staffed

Avoid terms that assume gender: avoid husband/wife when unknown, use partner

Pronouns

Use the pronouns a person uses for themselves.

Singular they is acceptable:

• when gender is unknown

• when a person uses it

Rewrite sentences when needed for clarity.

Describing sexual orientation

Use sexual orientation, not sexual preference.

Use the term preferred by the person or group when known.

Avoid outdated or clinical terms such as homosexual in general writing unless relevant in a medical or historical context.

Be aware:

• Preferences and terminology vary.

• Language evolves over time.

• Avoid reducing people to one aspect of identity.

Examples:

• Better: Taylor said they will attend the meeting.

• Avoid: Taylor said he will attend the meeting. (when gender is unknown)

• Better: Each participant should submit their form.

• Avoid: Each participant should submit his form.

Related entries

See below: lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer; LGBTQ+; transgender.

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lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer

Use the term preferred by the person or group when known:

• lesbian: women attracted to women

• gay: often used broadly or for men

• bisexual: attracted to more than one gender

• queer: used by some people as an inclusive or reclaimed term; avoid unless appropriate in context

Avoid outdated terms such as homosexual in general writing.

LGBTQ+

Acceptable as a broad term for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and related identities.

Use primarily to refer to groups:

• LGBTQ+ community

• LGBTQ+ organizations

Avoid using LGBTQ+ to describe an individual.

Use specific terms when possible to add clarity:

• bisexual advocacy group

• transgender health program

The term can be imprecise. Use with care and avoid defaulting to it when a more specific description is available. Variants of the term may appear in names or quotations.

transgender

A transgender person has a gender identity that differs from the sex assigned at birth.

Use transgender as an adjective, not a noun: transgender person, not a transgender.

Use a person’s preferred name and pronouns.

Avoid outdated terms such as transsexual or transvestite except in historical or medical contexts.

Trans is informal shorthand for transgender. Use when it reflects the language or preference of the person or group, or when the context is informal or clear.

Avoid using trans in formal or first references unless it is clearly appropriate.

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Introduction | Stereotyping | Race | Gender | Disabilities
Immigration | Religion | Health Conditions | Older Adults

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