Gender Inclusive Terminology
Biological Sex: is made up of chromosomes, genitalia, hormones, and internal reproductive organs. It is important to note that biological sex characteristics do not define a person’s gender.
Gender: the way a person identifies themselves internally and psychologically. It is the sense of being non-binary, woman, man, or another gender entirely.
Gender Expression: the way a person outwardly portrays themselves through clothing, makeup, hair, and body language. Many of these expressions are often seen as gendered, however, the way a person expresses themselves may not tell you what gender they are.
Sexual Orientation: a person’s natural attraction to other people, or to no one. Orientations are defined by feelings of attraction rather than behaviour.
Transgender: A person whose gender is different from the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Transgender women, transgender men, transgender non-binary people, etc).
Cisgender: A person who gender is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Cisgender women and cisgender men).
Non-binary: A person whose gender exists outside of, or between, the gender binary. The term can be used solely to describe one's gender, and it can also be used as an umbrella term for all identities that exist outside of the binary of woman and man.
Gender Non-conforming: Any person whose expression of their gender does not conform to traditional gender norms and expectations
Women’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender women as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the women’s washroom/change room.
Men’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender men, as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the men’s washroom/change room.
Gender Neutral Washroom: A washroom or change room for any person, cisgender or transgender, who wishes to use a space that is more private and/or is free from gendered labels.
Gender: the way a person identifies themselves internally and psychologically. It is the sense of being non-binary, woman, man, or another gender entirely.
Gender Expression: the way a person outwardly portrays themselves through clothing, makeup, hair, and body language. Many of these expressions are often seen as gendered, however, the way a person expresses themselves may not tell you what gender they are.
Sexual Orientation: a person’s natural attraction to other people, or to no one. Orientations are defined by feelings of attraction rather than behaviour.
Transgender: A person whose gender is different from the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Transgender women, transgender men, transgender non-binary people, etc).
Cisgender: A person who gender is the same as the gender they were assigned at birth (Ie. Cisgender women and cisgender men).
Non-binary: A person whose gender exists outside of, or between, the gender binary. The term can be used solely to describe one's gender, and it can also be used as an umbrella term for all identities that exist outside of the binary of woman and man.
Gender Non-conforming: Any person whose expression of their gender does not conform to traditional gender norms and expectations
Women’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender women as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the women’s washroom/change room.
Men’s Washroom/Change room: A washroom or change room for cisgender and transgender men, as well as non-binary people who feel more comfortable within the men’s washroom/change room.
Gender Neutral Washroom: A washroom or change room for any person, cisgender or transgender, who wishes to use a space that is more private and/or is free from gendered labels.