Today marks the , a day to commemorate the lives that have been lost due to anti-transgender violence.
ACON—a leading LGBTI health organisation—has released a guide to using trans and gender diverse (TGD) inclusive language to help build safer environments for TGD communities.
“Trans and gender diverse communities are disproportionately affected by prejudice-motivated discrimination and violence,” ACON CEO Nicolas Parkhill says.
“We also know that the health and wellbeing outcomes of people with trans and gender experiences are directly related to transphobic stigma, prejudice, discrimination and abuse, including when incorrect language is used, often unknowingly."
The easily downloadable guide was developed by ACON’s trans staff members and lists key terms that should be used when referring to TGD people—as well as terms that should be avoided.
The guide suggests a simple question to consider when talking to a trans or gender diverse person: “Would I ask a cisgender person this?”
Parkhill says the resource “aims to support communities, service providers and employers build their understanding of TGD communities and strengthen inclusive language.”
“We know that many organisations in Australia want to get inclusion right for their trans and gender diverse staff, clients and service participants and this guide will support them in this important effort.”
