Making your content affirming and inclusive for the LGBTQ+ community

The Clear Language Lab recently facilitated a workshop on LGBTQ+ affirming language that supports all staff, participants, and community members. We want to continue that conversation with our blog community to share highlights from the training and practices we can all implement going forward.

What's the connection

A big part of plain language is helping the intended audience understand your message. If we are using language that is outdated, inaccurate, or just plain disrespectful, it will be hard for our audience to connect with what we are saying.

Use gender-neutral terms

There are a variety of ways gender is unnecessarily embedded in our everyday language: congressman, mailman, mankind, freshman, and the list goes on. This is an easy fix though! Use a gender-neutral alternative:

Congressman ➝ Congressperson, Representative, Senator

Mailman ➝ Mail carrier, postal worker

Mankind ➝ Humankind, people

Freshman ➝ 1st-year student

Skip the binary pronouns in text

There are a lot of strategies that improve the flow of writing rather than using phrases like he/she. Why should we use gender-neutral pronouns, such as they/them/theirs, and terms when writing?

First of all, it’s more inclusive and doesn’t assume that everyone falls into binary gender identities or the gender of the reader. Second, it’s less clunky and flows more smoothly. Third, it’s just clearer.

Here are several ways to make your writing gender-neutral and inclusive for everyone:

Representation

Does your content use images that are positive and avoid stereotypes? Do you include representation of LGBT+ people beyond Pride month? What about diverse representations of families and couples?

Getting started

Stock photo collections such as the Gender Spectrum Collection at Vice, Canva, and Humaans are just a few examples of sites that can help you make sure that your participants and staff feel seen. Consider a visible pride flag or explicitly affirming language such as “we welcome people of all gender identities and sexualities” as additional options.

More resources

If this information is new for you, practice! Take the extra time to review your content through this lens. It doesn’t take long to implement these strategies that can make a big push toward inclusivity.

As well, be mindful about not putting this work on the shoulders of LGBTQ+ staff members to address. Consider using follow-up surveys, conducting focus groups (with participants compensated for their time!), or reaching out to a local university gender studies department or LGBTQ+ organization if you need feedback or guidance.

The Lab Report is Clear Language Lab’s blog and includes posts on various topics related to clear, effective communication. Questions or errors you want to report? Contact Tiara Whitlock, Program Manager, at tiara@litworks.org.

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