Definitions

Anti-ableist: strategies, theories, actions, and practices that challenge and counter ableism, inequalities, prejudices, and discrimination based on developmental, emotional, physical, or psychiatric (dis)ability.

Anti-racist: opposed to racism; the promotion of racial equality.

Anti-sexist: opposed to, or intended to prevent, sexism.

Cisgender: Describes individuals whose gender identity traditionally aligns with their sex assigned at birth.

Collaborative: involving two or more people or organizations working together for a particular purpose.

Disability: A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, which can include but not limited to one of the following: learning, thinking, concentrating, moving, communicating and seeing.

Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of ethnicity, age, sex, or disability.

Diversity, generally speaking, refers to the range of human differences, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, social class, physical ability or attributes, religious or ethical values system, national origin, and political beliefs. The concept of diversity as related to equity and inclusion is an understanding that some people with differing social identities have been systemically left out, behind, and treated unfairly as a result of their identity or identities. It’s about recognizing that certain benefits or opportunities might be given to some groups more than others.

Equity is about making sure everyone has an equivalent outcome, especially those who have been historically underrepresented and oppressed groups. Equity is about ending systemic discrimination against people based on their identity and background, and it focuses on building areas where gaps exist in institutional needs to achieve diversity and inclusion.

Gender: One’s innermost concept of self as woman, man, a varying blend of both, or neither; how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. Gender identity does not have to “align” with the sex assigned at birth or legal sex.

Homophobic: the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

Non-homophobic: disagreeing with, or behaving in ways that are not homophobic.

Inclusion exists when traditionally marginalized individuals and groups feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to participate in majority culture as full and valued members of the community, shaping and redefining that culture in different ways.

Physical safety: Being secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss.

Psychological safety: The feeling of being able to speak up, take risks, and make mistakes without fear of negative consequences.

Sexual Orientation: One’s sexuality or sexual attraction (or lack thereof) to others.

Transgender: An umbrella term describing individuals whose gender identity does not traditionally align with their sex assigned at birth.

Non-transphobic: disagreeing with, or behaving in ways that are not transphobic.

Transphobia: the fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are transgender, gender queer, or don’t follow traditional gender norms.