The ABC of EDI
A glossary of terms
Language, as our primary mode of communication, is powerful and can often represent our behaviours and attitudes. Our language use can reinforce our own biases and perpetuate stereotypes. Inclusive language, therefore, can make everyone feel included and respected.
As language is frequently evolving and specific terminology can sometimes be confusing, we’ve put together a glossary of terms to reflect the rapid changes in the language we use to help promote equality, diversity and inclusion in your organisation. As language is fluid and always evolving, some of the terms listed here may not be fully up-to-date and other terms may be preferred at the time of reading. If you’re unsure, don’t be afraid to ask!
A
Ability
Ability privilege
Able-bodied
Able-bodied privilege
Ableism
Access / accessibility
Accomodate / accommodation
Acculturation
Ace
Acquired gender
Action Learning Sets
Active bystander
Active listening
Activism
Activist
Advantage
Advocacy
AFAB / AMAB
Affinity bias
Affirmative action
Age discrimination
Ageism
Agender
Ally / allyship
Alter ego
Ambisexual
Androgynous / androgyny
Anti-racism
Anti-racist organisation
Anti-semitism
Appreciative inquiry
Aromantic
Asexual / asexuality
Assigned sex
Assimilation
Associative discrimination
Attitudinal barriers
Attractiveness bias
Attribution bias
A
Ability
Ability privilege
Able-bodied
Able-bodied privilege
Ableism
Access / accessibility
Accomodate / accommodation
Acculturation
Ace
Acquired gender
Action Learning Sets
Active bystander
Active listening
Activism
Activist
Advantage
Advocacy
AFAB / AMAB
Affinity bias
Affirmative action
Age discrimination
Ageism
Agender
Ally / allyship
Alter ego
Ambisexual
Androgynous / androgyny
Anti-racism
Anti-racist organisation
Anti-semitism
Appreciative inquiry
Aromantic
Asexual / asexuality
Assigned sex
Assimilation
Associative discrimination
Attitudinal barriers
Attractiveness bias
Attribution bias
A
Ability
Ability privilege
Able-bodied
Able-bodied privilege
Ableism
Access / accessibility
Accomodate / accommodation
Acculturation
Ace
Acquired gender
Action Learning Sets
Active bystander
Active listening
Activism
Activist
Advantage
Advocacy
AFAB / AMAB
Affinity bias
Affirmative action
Age discrimination
Ageism
Agender
Ally / allyship
Alter ego
Ambisexual
Androgynous / androgyny
Anti-racism
Anti-racist organisation
Anti-semitism
Appreciative inquiry
Aromantic
Asexual / asexuality
Assigned sex
Assimilation
Associative discrimination
Attitudinal barriers
Attractiveness bias
Attribution bias
B
BAME / BME
Barriers
Beauty bias
Belief
Belonging
Bi
Bias
Bicultural
Bigender
Bigotry
Biphobia
BIPOC
Biracial
Biromantic
Biromantic asexual
Bisexual / bisexuality
Body dysmorphia / body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Body positivity
Body shaming
Bullying
Bystander
Bystander effect
Bystander intervention
B
BAME / BME
Barriers
Beauty bias
Belief
Belonging
Bi
Bias
Bicultural
Bigender
Bigotry
Biphobia
BIPOC
Biracial
Biromantic
Biromantic asexual
Bisexual / bisexuality
Body dysmorphia / body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Body positivity
Body shaming
Bullying
Bystander
Bystander effect
Bystander intervention
B
BAME / BME
Barriers
Beauty bias
Belief
Belonging
Bi
Bias
Bicultural
Bigender
Bigotry
Biphobia
BIPOC
Biracial
Biromantic
Biromantic asexual
Bisexual / bisexuality
Body dysmorphia / body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
Body positivity
Body shaming
Bullying
Bystander
Bystander effect
Bystander intervention
C
Cancel culture
Cisgender / cis
Classism
Climate
Closeted
Code-switching
Coercion / coercive behaviour
Cognitive bias
Colonise / colonisation
Colourism
Colour blind / colour blindness
Coming out
Confidence
Confirmation bias
Conformity bias
Conscious inclusion
Consent
Contrast effect
Controlling behaviour
Conversion therapy / practices
Covert racism
Critical queer theory
Critical race theory (CRT)
Cultural appropriation
Cultural competence
Cultural humility
Cultural identity
Cultural responsiveness
Cultural sensitivity
Culture
Culture wars
C
Cancel culture
Cisgender / cis
Classism
Climate
Closeted
Code-switching
Coercion / coercive behaviour
Cognitive bias
Colonise / colonisation
Colourism
Colour blind / colour blindness
Coming out
Confidence
Confirmation bias
Conformity bias
Conscious inclusion
Consent
Contrast effect
Controlling behaviour
Conversion therapy / practices
Covert racism
Critical queer theory
Critical race theory (CRT)
Cultural appropriation
Cultural competence
Cultural humility
Cultural identity
Cultural responsiveness
Cultural sensitivity
Culture
Culture wars
C
Cancel culture
Cisgender / cis
Classism
Climate
Closeted
Code-switching
Coercion / coercive behaviour
Cognitive bias
Colonise / colonisation
Colourism
Colour blind / colour blindness
Coming out
Confidence
Confirmation bias
Conformity bias
Conscious inclusion
Consent
Contrast effect
Controlling behaviour
Conversion therapy / practices
Covert racism
Critical queer theory
Critical race theory (CRT)
Cultural appropriation
Cultural competence
Cultural humility
Cultural identity
Cultural responsiveness
Cultural sensitivity
Culture
Culture wars
D
Deadnaming
Decolonise /decolonisation
Deculturation
Demisexual
Diffusion of responsibility
Direct discrimination
Disability
Disability discrimination
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Disability rights
Discrimination
Diversity
Domestic violence and abuse
Dual heritage
Dual role
Dysphoria
D
Deadnaming
Decolonise /decolonisation
Deculturation
Demisexual
Diffusion of responsibility
Direct discrimination
Disability
Disability discrimination
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Disability rights
Discrimination
Diversity
Domestic violence and abuse
Dual heritage
Dual role
Dysphoria
D
Deadnaming
Decolonise /decolonisation
Deculturation
Demisexual
Diffusion of responsibility
Direct discrimination
Disability
Disability discrimination
Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)
Disability rights
Discrimination
Diversity
Domestic violence and abuse
Dual heritage
Dual role
Dysphoria
E
EDI
Empathy
Empowerment
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Emotional labour
Emotional tax
Employee activism
Enabler
Equality
Equality Act 2010 (UK)
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Equal opportunity / Equality of opportunity
Equity
Ethnic identity
Ethnic minority / Minoritised ethnic
Ethnicity / Ethnic group
Eurocentricity
Exclusionary behaviour
E
EDI
Empathy
Empowerment
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Emotional labour
Emotional tax
Employee activism
Enabler
Equality
Equality Act 2010 (UK)
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Equal opportunity / Equality of opportunity
Equity
Ethnic identity
Ethnic minority / Minoritised ethnic
Ethnicity / Ethnic group
Eurocentricity
Exclusionary behaviour
E
EDI
Empathy
Empowerment
Emotional intelligence (EI)
Emotional labour
Emotional tax
Employee activism
Enabler
Equality
Equality Act 2010 (UK)
Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Equal opportunity / Equality of opportunity
Equity
Ethnic identity
Ethnic minority / Minoritised ethnic
Ethnicity / Ethnic group
Eurocentricity
Exclusionary behaviour
F
False consensus
Fatphobia
Fat shaming
Feminism
Feminist
Freedom of expression
Freedom of speech / free speech
FTM
F
False consensus
Fatphobia
Fat shaming
Feminism
Feminist
Freedom of expression
Freedom of speech / free speech
FTM
F
False consensus
Fatphobia
Fat shaming
Feminism
Feminist
Freedom of expression
Freedom of speech / free speech
FTM
G
Gay
Gender
Gender bias
Gender binary
Genderblank
Gender critical
Gender dysphoria
Gender equality
Gender euphoria
Gender expression
Genderfluid
Genderfree
Gender identity
Gender ideology
Gender incongruence
Genderless
Gender minority
Gender neutral
Gender-neutral facilities
Gender-neutral terms
Gender-neutral pronouns
Gender non-conforming
Gender norms
Genderqueer
Gender reassignment
Gender Recognition Act (GRA)
Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
GSM
Gender variance
G
Gay
Gender
Gender bias
Gender binary
Genderblank
Gender critical
Gender dysphoria
Gender equality
Gender euphoria
Gender expression
Genderfluid
Genderfree
Gender identity
Gender ideology
Gender incongruence
Genderless
Gender minority
Gender neutral
Gender-neutral facilities
Gender-neutral terms
Gender-neutral pronouns
Gender non-conforming
Gender norms
Genderqueer
Gender reassignment
Gender Recognition Act (GRA)
Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
GSM
Gender variance
G
Gay
Gender
Gender bias
Gender binary
Genderblank
Gender critical
Gender dysphoria
Gender equality
Gender euphoria
Gender expression
Genderfluid
Genderfree
Gender identity
Gender ideology
Gender incongruence
Genderless
Gender minority
Gender neutral
Gender-neutral facilities
Gender-neutral terms
Gender-neutral pronouns
Gender non-conforming
Gender norms
Genderqueer
Gender reassignment
Gender Recognition Act (GRA)
Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC)
GSM
Gender variance
H
Halo effect
Harassment
Hate crime
Hate speech
Health equity
Health inequality
Heterosexual / heterosexuality
Heteronormative
Hidden bias
Homophobia / homophobic
Homosexual
H
Halo effect
Harassment
Hate crime
Hate speech
Health equity
Health inequality
Heterosexual / heterosexuality
Heteronormative
Hidden bias
Homophobia / homophobic
Homosexual
H
Halo effect
Harassment
Hate crime
Hate speech
Health equity
Health inequality
Heterosexual / heterosexuality
Heteronormative
Hidden bias
Homophobia / homophobic
Homosexual
I
Identity
Implicit bias
Imposter syndrome (IS)
Inclusion / inclusiveness / inclusivity
Inclusive behaviour
Inclusive language
Inclusive leadership
Inclusive pronouns
Indigenous people
Indirect discrimination
Inequality
Inequity
Informed consent
Institutional fatphobia
Institutionalised racism
Internalised weight bias
Interpersonal racism
Intersectionality
Internalised fatphobia
Intersex
Institutional barriers
Internalised racism
Interracial
Intervention
Islamophobia / Islamophobism
I
Identity
Implicit bias
Imposter syndrome (IS)
Inclusion / inclusiveness / inclusivity
Inclusive behaviour
Inclusive language
Inclusive leadership
Inclusive pronouns
Indigenous people
Indirect discrimination
Inequality
Inequity
Informed consent
Institutional fatphobia
Institutionalised racism
Internalised weight bias
Interpersonal racism
Intersectionality
Internalised fatphobia
Intersex
Institutional barriers
Internalised racism
Interracial
Intervention
Islamophobia / Islamophobism
I
Identity
Implicit bias
Imposter syndrome (IS)
Inclusion / inclusiveness / inclusivity
Inclusive behaviour
Inclusive language
Inclusive leadership
Inclusive pronouns
Indigenous people
Indirect discrimination
Inequality
Inequity
Informed consent
Institutional fatphobia
Institutionalised racism
Internalised weight bias
Interpersonal racism
Intersectionality
Internalised fatphobia
Intersex
Institutional barriers
Internalised racism
Interracial
Intervention
Islamophobia / Islamophobism
J
Judicial activism
J
Judicial activism
J
Judicial activism
K
Kindness
K
Kindness
K
Kindness
L
Legal sex
Lesbian
LGBT+
Libfem / liberal feminism
Lookism
L
Legal sex
Lesbian
LGBT+
Libfem / liberal feminism
Lookism
L
Legal sex
Lesbian
LGBT+
Libfem / liberal feminism
Lookism
M
Majority behaviour
Majority ethnic group
Marginalised / marginalisation
Micro-action
Micro-advantages
Micro-affirmation
Micro-aggression
Micro-assault
Micro-behaviour
Micro-inequities
Micro-insult
Micro-invalidation
Micro-messaging
Minority behaviour
Minority ethnic / minority ethnic group
Misgendering
Misogyny
MOGAI
MTF
Multiculturalism
Multiethnic
Multiracial
M
Majority behaviour
Majority ethnic group
Marginalised / marginalisation
Micro-action
Micro-advantages
Micro-affirmation
Micro-aggression
Micro-assault
Micro-behaviour
Micro-inequities
Micro-insult
Micro-invalidation
Micro-messaging
Minority behaviour
Minority ethnic / minority ethnic group
Misgendering
Misogyny
MOGAI
MTF
Multiculturalism
Multiethnic
Multiracial
M
Majority behaviour
Majority ethnic group
Marginalised / marginalisation
Micro-action
Micro-advantages
Micro-affirmation
Micro-aggression
Micro-assault
Micro-behaviour
Micro-inequities
Micro-insult
Micro-invalidation
Micro-messaging
Minority behaviour
Minority ethnic / minority ethnic group
Misgendering
Misogyny
MOGAI
MTF
Multiculturalism
Multiethnic
Multiracial
N
Name bias
Nationality
Neopronouns
Neuroatypical
Neurodivergent
Neurodiversity
Neutrois
Non-binary (NB)
Non-white
N
Name bias
Nationality
Neopronouns
Neuroatypical
Neurodivergent
Neurodiversity
Neutrois
Non-binary (NB)
Non-white
N
Name bias
Nationality
Neopronouns
Neuroatypical
Neurodivergent
Neurodiversity
Neutrois
Non-binary (NB)
Non-white
O
Obesity bias
Obesity stigma
Oppression
Othering
Out (of the closet)
Outing
O
Obesity bias
Obesity stigma
Oppression
Othering
Out (of the closet)
Outing
O
Obesity bias
Obesity stigma
Oppression
Othering
Out (of the closet)
Outing
P
Pan
Panromanticism
Pansexual / pansexuality
Passing
Passive bystander
People of colour (POC)
Persons with disabilities (PWD)
Perceptive discrimination
Performative allyship
Physical barriers
Plural ignorance
Polyamorous
Polysexual
Political activism
Positive action
Positive discrimination
Power
Preferred pronouns
Prejudice
Privilege
Pronoun
Protected characteristic
Psychological acculturation
Psychological safety
Public Sector Equality Duties (PSED)
P
Pan
Panromanticism
Pansexual / pansexuality
Passing
Passive bystander
People of colour (POC)
Persons with disabilities (PWD)
Perceptive discrimination
Performative allyship
Physical barriers
Plural ignorance
Polyamorous
Polysexual
Political activism
Positive action
Positive discrimination
Power
Preferred pronouns
Prejudice
Privilege
Pronoun
Protected characteristic
Psychological acculturation
Psychological safety
Public Sector Equality Duties (PSED)
P
Pan
Panromanticism
Pansexual / pansexuality
Passing
Passive bystander
People of colour (POC)
Persons with disabilities (PWD)
Perceptive discrimination
Performative allyship
Physical barriers
Plural ignorance
Polyamorous
Polysexual
Political activism
Positive action
Positive discrimination
Power
Preferred pronouns
Prejudice
Privilege
Pronoun
Protected characteristic
Psychological acculturation
Psychological safety
Public Sector Equality Duties (PSED)
Q
QTPOC
Queer
Questioning
Q
QTPOC
Queer
Questioning
Q
QTPOC
Queer
Questioning
R
Race
Race / racial discrimination
Racial equity
Racial identity
Racial justice
Racial socialisation
Racism
Radfem / radical feminism / radical feminist theory
Real-life experience (RLE)
Reasonable adjustment
Religion or belief
Representation
Respect
Reverse mentoring
Reverse racism
Revolutionary activism
R
Race
Race / racial discrimination
Racial equity
Racial identity
Racial justice
Racial socialisation
Racism
Radfem / radical feminism / radical feminist theory
Real-life experience (RLE)
Reasonable adjustment
Religion or belief
Representation
Respect
Reverse mentoring
Reverse racism
Revolutionary activism
R
Race
Race / racial discrimination
Racial equity
Racial identity
Racial justice
Racial socialisation
Racism
Radfem / radical feminism / radical feminist theory
Real-life experience (RLE)
Reasonable adjustment
Religion or belief
Representation
Respect
Reverse mentoring
Reverse racism
Revolutionary activism
S
Safe space
SAGA
Scientific racism
Self-awareness
Self-efficacy
Self ID
Self-identified gender
Sense of belonging
Sex
Sex-based rights
Sexual consent
Sexual harassment
Sexual minority
Sexual orientation
Sizeism
Social activism
Social cohesion
Social identity
Social inclusion
Social justice
Social stigma
Spatial inclusion
Stereotype
Stereotype threat
Straight
Structural racism
Systemic discrimination
S
Safe space
SAGA
Scientific racism
Self-awareness
Self-efficacy
Self ID
Self-identified gender
Sense of belonging
Sex
Sex-based rights
Sexual consent
Sexual harassment
Sexual minority
Sexual orientation
Sizeism
Social activism
Social cohesion
Social identity
Social inclusion
Social justice
Social stigma
Spatial inclusion
Stereotype
Stereotype threat
Straight
Structural racism
Systemic discrimination
S
Safe space
SAGA
Scientific racism
Self-awareness
Self-efficacy
Self ID
Self-identified gender
Sense of belonging
Sex
Sex-based rights
Sexual consent
Sexual harassment
Sexual minority
Sexual orientation
Sizeism
Social activism
Social cohesion
Social identity
Social inclusion
Social justice
Social stigma
Spatial inclusion
Stereotype
Stereotype threat
Straight
Structural racism
Systemic discrimination
T
TERF
Tokenism
Tolerance
Transblack
Transgender
Trans*
Trans history
Trans man / transmasculine
Trans woman / transfeminine
Transition / transitioning
Transphobia
Transracial / transracialism
Transsexual / transsexualism
Trans umbrella
T
TERF
Tokenism
Tolerance
Transblack
Transgender
Trans*
Trans history
Trans man / transmasculine
Trans woman / transfeminine
Transition / transitioning
Transphobia
Transracial / transracialism
Transsexual / transsexualism
Trans umbrella
T
TERF
Tokenism
Tolerance
Transblack
Transgender
Trans*
Trans history
Trans man / transmasculine
Trans woman / transfeminine
Transition / transitioning
Transphobia
Transracial / transracialism
Transsexual / transsexualism
Trans umbrella
U
Unconscious bias
Underrepresented groups
United Nations (UN) Convention on Disability Rights
U
Unconscious bias
Underrepresented groups
United Nations (UN) Convention on Disability Rights
U
Unconscious bias
Underrepresented groups
United Nations (UN) Convention on Disability Rights
V
Values
Victimisation
Vulnerable groups
V
Values
Victimisation
Vulnerable groups
V
Values
Victimisation
Vulnerable groups
W
Weight bias
Weight stigma
White fragility
White privilege
White supremacy
Whiteness
Women's lib / liberation
Women's rights
Workplace culture
Workplace inclusion / workplace inclusivity
W
Weight bias
Weight stigma
White fragility
White privilege
White supremacy
Whiteness
Women's lib / liberation
Women's rights
Workplace culture
Workplace inclusion / workplace inclusivity
W
Weight bias
Weight stigma
White fragility
White privilege
White supremacy
Whiteness
Women's lib / liberation
Women's rights
Workplace culture
Workplace inclusion / workplace inclusivity
X
Xe / xem
Xenophobia
X
Xe / xem
Xenophobia
X
Xe / xem
Xenophobia
Y
Youth bias
Y
Youth bias
Y
Youth bias
Z
Zee / zem
Z
Zee / zem
Z
Zee / zem
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726
© 2025 Halsden Centre Limited. A company registered in England & Wales No 15730726