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Anti-Racism Anti-racism encompasses a range of ideas and political actions which are meant to counter racial prejudice, systemic racism, and the oppression of specific racial groups. It is important that we all practice Anti-Racism within the Queer Community, as many of the biggest changemakers who have helped afford us the civil rights we have today, have been People of Colour. ​ < Back to Glossary

Empathy The ability to understand and share the feelings of another. We often go through similar experiences, or have similar challenges. When we are going through a rough time, having someone in our corner who understands what we are going through can often be invaluable, and validates the challenges we are grappling with. Equally, receiving some form of acknowledgement from other people is important even if they haven't been through what you are going through - simply understanding something is tough can help colleagues, friends, and chosen family feel seen and supported. There are three types of empathy experts have identified: 1) Cognitive: empathy by thought only, not feelings. 2) Emotional: feeling the other person’s emotions. 3) Compassionate: feeling the other person’s pain and taking action to help. See: Compassion and Belonging < Back to Glossary

Cis or Cisgender Cisgender refers to someone whose gender identity matches the sex or gender they were ‘assigned’ at birth. ​ < Back to Glossary

Chest-feeding Chest-feeding is feeding your baby with milk from your chest. Some transgender parents may prefer to use this gender-neutral term as opposed to "breast-feeding" for comfort reasons. ​ < Back to Glossary

Gender Euphoria Gender euphoria refers to positive feelings associated with presenting as or being recognised by others as your true gender. This is often experienced by trans people as they are beginning to transition and feel more comfortable in their bodies. ​ < Back to Glossary

Autism Autism is a neurological and developmental difference that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn, and behave. Although autism can be diagnosed at any age, symptoms generally appear in the first two years of life. Symptoms present themselves differently in women and girls so they historically have been underdiagnosed in early years and diagnosed later in life. Autism is a form of neurodiversity. ​ < Back to Glossary

Minority Stress Minority stress describes high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatised minority or marginalised groups. It may be caused by a number of factors, including poor social support, low socioeconomic status, social stigma, prejudice and discrimination. See: Intersectionality and Stress. < Back to Glossary

Therapy A treatment that helps someone feel better, heal or grow stronger. Working with a psychologist, therapist, or counsellor in a therapeutic relationship gives you an opportunity to explore your thoughts, feelings, and patterns of behaviour. It can also help you learn new coping skills and techniques to better manage daily stressors and symptoms associated with your diagnosis. ​ < Back to Glossary

Misogynoir Discrimination that falls at the intersection of misogyny and anti-black racism, as experienced by Black women. The term was coined by Black feminist writer Moya Bailey. See also: Transmisogynoir, Racism, Sexism < Back to Glossary

Systems of Oppression The foundational power structures and value systems of our society that govern which groups oppress and marginalise other groups. People whose identities fall outside of a society's given norm tend to be targeted by systems of oppression. Examples of systems of oppression include sexism, racism, cisheterosexism, ableism, classism. See: Hierarchy, Elected Official and Kyriarchy. < Back to Glossary

Lesbian A woman (or non-binary person) who has a particular romantic, emotional and/or sexual attraction towards women. ​ < Back to Glossary

Blaq/Blaqueer Folks of Black/African descent and/or from the African diaspora who recognize their queerness/LGBTQIA identity as a salient identity attached to their Blackness and vice versa. ​ < 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

Ageism Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or group based on their age. ​ < Back to Glossary

Transphobia Negative attitudes, feelings, or actions towards transgender people or transness in general. Transphobia can include fear, aversion, hatred, violence or anger towards people who do not conform to social gender expectations. ​ < Back to Glossary

Spectrum A term used to cover a variety of identities that have a root commonality or shared experience. In the queer community, everyone exists on a spectrum - despite the prevalence of archetypes, no one person is the same. This applies even more so for Queer people who possess intersectional identities. For example, if they are neurodivergent - something else that exists on a spectrum. See Intersectionality, Neurodiversity and Archetypes < Back to Glossary

Hate Speech A form of harassment - abusive or threatening speech or writing that expresses prejudice against a particular group, especially on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity, etc... See: Ally, Discrimination, Calling Out and Solidarity. < Back to Glossary

PrEP Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is medicine taken to prevent getting HIV. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. ​ < Back to Glossary

Spoon Theory "The Spoon Theory" is an analogy that emerged from a personal story by Christine Miserandino, equating the amount of ability that someone with chronic illness has to complete daily tasks to a limited number of spoons. People with chronic illnesses who must ration their energy throughout the day are sometimes referred to as "spoonies". ​ < Back to Glossary

Stonewall The Stonewall Riots were a series of protests that began in response to the raiding of the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City, on June 28 1969. The riots were a historic turning point for the Gay Liberation Movement and the first Pride marches were held on the one year anniversary of the riots. ​ < Back to Glossary