It is the acronym used by the Government of Canada to refer to the Canadian community. 2S: at the front, recognizes Two-Spirit people as the first 2SLGBTQI+ communities; L: Lesbian; G: Gay; B: Bisexual; T: Transgender; Q: Queer; I: Intersex, considers sex characteristics beyond sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression; +: is inclusive of people who identify as part of sexual and gender diverse communities, who use additional terminologies.

An acronym that refers to the genderqueer community. 2S: at the front, recognizes Two Spirit people as the first genderqueer communities; T: Transgender; NB: Non-binary; GD: Gender Diverse.

The biological classification of a person as female, male or intersex. It is usually assigned at birth based on a visual assessment of external anatomy.

A person whose gender identity aligns with what is socially expected based on their sex assigned at birth.

The practice of intentionally or unintentionally referring to someone (often a transgender, Two Spirit or gender diverse person) by their birthname or former first name (otherwise known as a deadname).

Emotional labor refers to controlling one’s emotions to carry out the demands of one’s job. The mismatch between one’s genuine feelings and outward behavior can be distressing and draining, especially if it is consistent.

The social, psychological and health supports and care that affirms a person’s gender identity

Noting or relating to a person whose gender identity or gender expression does not conform to socially defined male or female gender norms.

A medical diagnosis often required by health providers and/or health insurance plans before prescriptions for hormones or gender affirming surgeries will be provided. It can be understood as discomfort or distress experienced by a person who feels their sense of their gender identity differs from their body or sex assigned at birth, based on societal expectations.

A medical diagnosis often required by health providers and/or health insurance plans before prescriptions for hormones or gender affirming surgeries will be provided. It can be understood as discomfort or distress experienced by a person who feels their sense of their gender identity differs from their body or sex assigned at birth, based on societal expectations.

Gender expression refers to the various ways gender is presented and communicated to the world through clothing, speech, body language, hairstyle, voice and/or the emphasis or de-emphasis of body characteristics or behaviour. It is not a reliable indicator of a person’s gender identity as expression may not align with societal gender norms.

A state marked by positive emotions (such as happiness or excitement) arising from a sense of alignment between a person’s gender identity and gender expression.

A person whose gender identity varies over time and may include male, female and non-binary gender identities.

Internal and deeply felt sense of being a man or woman, both or neither. A person’s gender identity may or may not align with the gender typically associated with their sex. It may change over the course of one’s lifetime.

The act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (as because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability).

A phrase coined by Kimberlé Crenshaw, meaning “the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups”.

An umbrella term to capture various types of biological sex differentiation. Intersex people have variations in their sex characteristics, such as sex chromosomes, internal reproductive organs, genitalia, and/or secondary sex characteristics (e.g. muscle mass, breasts) that fall outside of what is typically categorized as male or female.

Refers to individuals for whom chromosomal, hormonal, or anatomical sex characteristics combine in a variety of ways that fall outside of binary medical and social classifications of male and female.

Occurs when you intentionally or unintentionally refer to a person, relate to a person, or use language to describe a person in a manner that does not align with their affirmed gender. For example, referring to a woman as “he” or calling her a “guy” is an act of misgendering.

Referring to a person whose gender identity does not align with a binary understanding of gender such as man or woman. It is a gender identity which may include man and woman, androgynous, fluid, multiple, no gender, or a different gender outside of the “woman—man” spectrum.

Exposing someone’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, or other identity to others without their permission. Outing someone can have serious repercussions on employment, economic stability, personal safety or religious or family situations

The name that an individual uses day to day which may or may not be the same as the individual’s legal name.

Historically a derogatory term used as a slur against 2SLGBTQI+ people, this term has been reclaimed by many 2SLGBTQI+ people as a positive way to describe themselves, and as a way to include the many diverse identities not covered by common 2SLGBTQI+ acronym.

A person who is uncertain about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity; this can be a transitory or a lasting identity.

When an employee/individual is treated as a representative of their entire community or used for public relations purposes.

(Also ‘trans’). A person whose gender identity differs from what is typically associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.

An umbrella term used to describe individuals who have a gender identity that is different to the sex assigned at birth. This includes:

Trans men: people assigned female at birth and identifying as male

Trans women: people assigned male at birth and identifying as female

Non-binary individuals: An umbrella term to reflect a variety of gender identities that are not exclusively man or woman. Identity terms which may fall within this category include genderqueer, agender, bigender, genderfluid or pangender.

The fear, hatred, or aversion of people whose gender identities differ from the sex they were assigned at birth.

(also Two-Spirit or Two-Spirited). An English term used to broadly capture concepts traditional to many Indigenous cultures. It is a culturally-specific identity used by some Indigenous people to indicate a person whose gender identity, spiritual identity and/or sexual orientation comprises both male and female spirits.