When delivering or developing professional learning, here are some points to consider to ensure language is inclusive:

Ensure language is gender neutral where appropriate. Avoid gender specific pronouns in our writing when the gender of a person is unknown. For example, when referring to a headteacher whose gender is not disclosed, we can use the pronoun “they”.

Although gender reassignment is the term used in legislation, the word transgender is an inclusive term and more suited to general use.

A variety of acronyms are used depending on context and the diversity of identities described. LGBTI refers to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex. Sometimes the letters Q (for queer or questioning), A (for asexual) and the symbol + for a range of other identities and orientations. This is used by some schools, settings and organisations.  (For more information on sexual orientation please see here: List of LGBTQ+ terms | Stonewall).

The terms sex and gender are sometimes used by people interchangeably however they also have specific and differing meanings. Currently the Scottish Government does not have a formal definition of sex and gender.  Internationally, a number of organisations have set out definitions, these definitions are broadly similar across these organisations.  

Sex 

Assigned to a person on the basis of primary sex characteristics (genitalia) and reproductive functions. This includes female, male and intersex.   

Gender  

The World Health organisation and the Royal Statistical Society define gender as: 

a social construction relating to behaviours and attributes based on labels of masculinity and femininity. Gender refers to the characteristics of women, men, girls and boys that are socially constructed. This includes norms, behaviours and roles associated with being a woman, man, girl or boy;”  
and gender identity as: 

1. what an individual experiences as their innate sense of themselves as a man, a woman, as having no gender, or as having a non-binary gender –

2. where people identify as somewhere on a spectrum between man and woman.

Generally, we should use the word ‘gender’ as it is more inclusive and often more accurate. Scottish Government policy and strategy (for example Fairer Scotland for Woman and Equally Safe) refer to ‘gender’. However, when looking at data it might be more accurate to refer to ‘sex’ depending on what data has been collected and how it has been disaggregated. We can also use the phrasing ‘sex and/or gender’.    

A few more useful terms: 

Gender expression

How a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, within the context of societal expectations of gender. A person who does not conform to societal expectations of gender might not, however, identify as trans. 

Intersex or Variation in Sex Characteristics

A person who may have the biological attributes of both sexes or whose biological attributes do not fit with societal assumptions about what constitutes male or female. Intersex people may identify as male, female or non-binary.

Another term for intersex, Variation in Sex Characteristics in The Hate Crime Act 2021 refers to diverse physical and biological characteristics of the body, whereas transgender identity relates to a person’s gender identity. 

Non-binary

People whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely.  

Trans

People whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. 

There are many glossaries that can help inform facilitators' work and are useful to suggest to learners. Some have been listed below: 

• UNITED NATIONS Gender-inclusive language

• List of LGBTQ+ terms | Stonewall