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Genderfluid Denoting or relating to a person who does not identify themselves as having a fixed gender. (syn. Genderqueer) < Back to Glossary

Mental Health Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It relates to how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Our environment and how we are treated by others has a significant effect on our mental health, as it can heavily influence the way we see ourselves. See: Minority Stress, Self-Care, Resilience and Addiction. < Back to Glossary

Caregiver A caregiver or carer is a paid or unpaid member of a person's social network who helps them with activities of daily living. Since they have no specific professional training, they are often described as informal caregivers. Taking care of a loved one and being responsible for their health can be very stressful. There are a lot of tasks to juggle, from managing medications to helping with getting dressed or bathing. While family caregiving can be a genuinely rewarding experience, the caregivers often face common challenges that leave them overwhelmed, anxious and/or intimidated by their duties. < Back to Glossary

Two-Spirit Two-spirit is a modern, pan-Indian, umbrella term used by some Indigenous North Americans to describe Native people in their communities who fulfil a traditional third-gender ceremonial and social role in their cultures. See: Indigenous and Indigiqueer. < Back to Glossary

(he/him) Manuel Manuel is an award-winning Queer Therapist & Coach, bestselling author, and founder of HeyManuel.com . He helps LGBTQ+ professionals worldwide to authentically be themselves without years of struggles using mediation, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, neuroscience, NLP, CBT, parts therapy, Gestalt psychology, and transformational coaching. Manuel also consults organizations on Mental Health, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, Belonging, HR & Leadership. He can speak on topics such as Workplace Allyship, LGBTQ+ Discrimination, Mental Health, Well-being, Addiction, Self-empowerment, Culture Change, Community Building, Trauma, and Human Resources. Outside of work, Manuel enjoys brunch, Iced Decaf Americanos in the sun, and exploring the Queer nightlife and theatre scene. Manuel Schlothauer Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

(he/him) Mark Mark is an award-winning creative entrepreneur , writer, dancer, choreographer and speaker as well as the CEO and Founder of The Professional Storyteller, where he embraces the power of story to create a more inclusive world. As an independent disabled choreographer, Mark is determined to build a bridge between the main dance field and disability dance. As a speaker, he has addressed audiences at various institutions of higher learning, including Harvard, MIT, Rutgers, and NYU. As a diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant and facilitator, he has spoken to corporate audiences virtually in the UK, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Israel, China, and India, just to name a few. Photo courtesy of Daniel D. Edwards | Clear Pathworks, LLC. Mark Travis Rivera Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

AAVE AAVE is a way of speaking typically seen in African American and Black Canadian Communities. AAVE may be considered a dialect, ethnolect or sociolect. While it is clear that there is a strong historical relationship between AAVE and earlier Southern U.S. dialects, the origins of AAVE are still a matter of debate. (See: Black and Blaq/Blaqueer) < Back to Glossary

Energy "1. The power required to do tasks, whether it be physical, mental or emotional. Our energy levels vary day to day and certain tasks may be more or less taxing for you than they are for other people. People with disabilities often have to strategise about where they will distribute their energy. (See: Disability & Spoons Theory & Accessibility) 2. The energy or vibe we bring to a situation can often be felt by those around us. Be aware of this and always treat people with the respect and kindness you would like to be treated with." < Back to Glossary

Debate Debate is a really good way in which we can formally express our views on certain subjects, as well as hear from others with different views on these subjects. The result of debate for most people is either a reinforcement of our existing perceptions, or an adding of validation to alternative arguments, which can then in turn cause us to question our own stance. It is important to challenge our views to ensure that we are on the right path, and to make sure our perspectives are multi-dimensional. If we perform well in debate, and eloquently put our views across, we can even change the minds of others. There is great power in this, and we can use this to our advantage as members of marginalised communities. See Belief, Confidence, Courageous Communication & Echochamber. < Back to Glossary

(he/him) Ryan Ryan hails from Manchester and is a fierce advocate for disability rights. He was born with Cerebral Palsy, which affects the way the brain communicates with muscles. Ryan has worked as an International Trade Policy Advisor for the UK Government and chaired the Department for International Trade's Disability Network. He uses his platform to amplify the voices of those who may not have the ability to speak up, while also representing and opening doors for others who face similar challenges. As a bisexual man with a disability, Ryan is passionate about promoting intersectionality in DEI, recognizing the importance of understanding the unique experiences of individuals and communities. He speaks on workplace allyship, intersectionality, disability, and culture change to drive meaningful impact in society. Ryan Zaman Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

Safe Space A place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, criticism, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm. See: Belonging, Community and Psychological Safety. < Back to Glossary

(they/she) ilā ILĀ is a multifaceted artist, producer and creative director creating some of the most unique and acclaimed music to emerge from the UK in recent years. They were the co-founder and director of the London Contemporary Voices choir, working with over 20 Grammy winning artists including Alt-J, Imogen Heap and U2 as well as two BBC Proms, the Harry Potter Play soundtrack and several iconic fashion shows for designers such as Burberry and Tommy Hilfiger. In Feb 2022 ILĀ co-founded Trans Voices - the UK's first ever professional trans+ choir, debuting in February 2022 with a specially commissioned music documentary on Guardian Films. From soundtracking the European Space Agency’s BEPI Colombo Mercury Mission to embarking on a 3 year research partnership with University of Sheffield about AI and Sonic Branding, the breadth of ILĀ’s work is utterly unique. Ilā Kamalagharan Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

Binary Relating to gender as opposing ends of a spectrum e.g. men and women. < Back to Glossary

Creativity We all operate in a highly competitive, global environment; making creativity crucial. Creativity isn't just artistic talent, but the ability to problem solve, spot patterns, imagine, generate big ideas and think outside the box. Creative thinking and intuition based decision making are powerful differentiators in business and in life. Creativity is innate to humanity, and is an important part of our humanity. We are creative when conditions in our minds are just right. When we have access to our intellect, knowledge, and experience, our brains can light up with new idea. Simply put, we need to be in the right emotional state in order to be creative — brain functioning affects creativity and how we feel affects brain functioning. But unfortunately, that’s easier said than done in today’s chronic stress-inducing society. If you want to tap into your innate creative abilities, you need to interrupt the cycle of negative thoughts and emotions. Start by creating more space for yourself and prioritising your wellbeing. Mindful creative activities can also be an invaluable outlet when we are seeking release from internalised and external stresses. See: Mindfulness & Stress. < Back to Glossary

Tucking Hiding external genitalia so that they are not visible in tight clothing. For many trans people tucking is a 'do-it-yourself' option for changing your appearance so that it matches your gender expression. < Back to Glossary

Polyamory The practice of engaging in multiple romantic or sexual relationships, with the consent of all the people involved. < Back to Glossary

Attraction When we hear "attraction" we tend to think of romantic or sexual attraction, but there are many other types of attraction that we can feel. Sexual Attraction – Attraction, arousal and desire for sex, often caused by physical traits. Romantic Attraction – Emotional attraction and a desire to be romantically involved with someone, not inherently sexual. Alterous Attraction – Desire for emotional closeness. Aesthetic Attraction – Attracted to the appearance of a person, that is not inherently romantic or sexual. Sensual Attraction – A desire for physical contact short of actual sex. Emotional Attraction – Attraction to a person’s soul, personality, mind, dreams, and heart Intellectual Attraction – Attraction to a person’s intelligence See also: Sexuality, Orientation < Back to Glossary

(she/they) Jossy Jaycoff Jossy is a Visual Artist and LGBTQ+ Rights Activist with a special focus on Non-Binary Trans Identities. She is also a Communicator, Model, Writer, Actress and International Host promoting Queer culture from platforms such as Boiler Room, British Fashion Council, Resident Advisor, Primavera Sound and Soho House. She has worked with the Ministry of Equality of the Spanish Government to help development “La Ley Trans Estatal” (the Trans Law), one of only a few activists involved in this historic legislative change. Jossy is committed to taking spaces that are not created for gender variant people, along with the promotion and development of new legislatures. Jossy Jaycoff Angulo Looking for a Guest Speake r ? Get in touch Our Recent Articles... Beyond Calendar Moments: How Organisations Turn Belonging Into a Movement. Community Building 101 | Wellbeing with Panteres Grogues. Our Community Impact: 2025 Year in Review. Create Space for Change. We work with 100+ Businesses, ERGs and Change-Leaders providing bespoke DEI solutions. Through consultancy we design shared learning experiences, produce insights and craft content that support individuals with strengthening their roles as change-agents within their communities and organisations. Discover our bespoke corporate solutions... Work with us

URM An abbreviation for Under-Represented Minorities. Some institutions have defined sub-groups within larger racial/ethnic minority groups that are particularly under-represented relative to their size. For example, in a given field, Mexican-Americans may be an under-represented minority, even if Hispanic people are otherwise proportionately represented. < Back to Glossary

Whole A sense of completeness and unity, that you are not missing anything, broken or incomplete. Your acceptance of all the pieces of yourself is what makes you whole. You know yourself more fully, see the big picture, and put things into perspective. You free up energy that was spent holding down unpleasant thoughts or feelings. You tune into your body, your mind, your soul, and your heart. < Back to Glossary