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Stress Stress is our body's reaction to coping with physical, mental or emotional pressure. Stress can manifest as feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious or unable to relax. It can affect your breathing, disrupt your sleep or eating habits and worsen pre-existing health conditions or addictions. Continuous, ongoing stress (chronic stress) can lead to various auto-immune illnesses and burnout. See: Minority Stress and Burnout. < Back to Glossary

Demisexuality A sexual orientation in which an individual does not experience primary sexual attraction – the type of attraction that is based on immediately observable characteristics such as appearance or smell and is experienced immediately after a first encounter. They only experience secondary sexual attraction – the type of attraction that happens after knowing someone for a while. The amount of time that a demisexual individual needs to know another person before developing sexual attraction towards them varies from person to person. ​ < Back to Glossary

Transformation Transformation is, by definition, a dramatic change - a metamorphosis, of sorts. Personal transformation often occurs when people push through obstacles or difficult periods in their life. A positive outlook, a growth mindset, and introspection are all essential in helping people become stronger versions of themselves. See: Change, Reflection, Resilience, Self-Awareness and Post-traumatic Growth. < Back to Glossary

Whorephobia Discrimination towards sex workers. ​ < Back to Glossary

Agender Someone who does not identify with any gender identity or sees themselves as having no gender. ​ < Back to Glossary

Play Play, or having fun, is often defined as activity done for its own sake, characterized by means rather than ends (the process is more important than any end goal). Free play is a natural part of development, especially critical for children, as it is thought to bolster their social and emotional growth and provide them a means to learn as they explore the world. Playing, especially when unstructured, stimulates mental flexibility and creativity. Research has shown that engaging in play strengthens cognitive skills, like critical thinking and working memory, that are vital to learning. The benefits of playing don’t have to stop when childhood ends. Getting away from familiar locations or repetitive activity can help adults let their imaginations loose. Playing as an adult can also reduce stress, promote optimism, and strengthen one’s ability to take on other perspectives. See: Movement & Sport. < 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

Belonging Belonging is a fundamental part of being human: We need people and this need is hardwired into our brains. Belonging is, of course, that feeling of connectedness to a group or community. It’s the sense that you’re part of something. You feel attached, close and thoroughly accepted by your people. But belonging is more than just being part of a group. The notion of belonging, or social identity, is a central aspect of how we define who we are. We consider ourselves to be individuals but it is our membership of particular groups that is most important in constructing our own personal and unique sense of identity. ​ < Back to Glossary

Racism Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism by an individual, community, or institution against a person or group based on their racial or ethnic group. See: Prejudice, Discrimination and Injustice. < Back to Glossary

Perfectionism Perfectionism, in psychology, is a broad personality style characterized by a person's concern with striving for flawlessness and perfection and is accompanied by critical self-evaluations and concerns regarding others' evaluations. Perfectionism drives people to be concerned with achieving unattainable ideals or unrealistic goals that often lead to many forms of adjustment problems such as depression, anxiety, OCD, OCPD and low self-esteem. When you don’t feel accepted for who you are while you’re still developing, it can lead to constant feelings of worthlessness and insecurity in adulthood. To overcome the feeling of being “not good enough,” perfectionism can emerge as a defence mechanism. Proving yourself to others, whether it’s as the most talented, smart or successful, becomes a means of keeping yourself safe. Left unchecked, perfectionism can create a cycle of anxiety and depression that makes achievement even harder. This, in turn, fuels greater feelings and fears of inadequacy. You’ll suddenly find yourself trapped trying to be the best while constantly feeling the worst. See: Achievement, Adversity, Burnout and Resilience. < Back to Glossary

Culture 1. The arts and other manifestations of human intellectual achievement regarded collectively. 2. The ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society. Both of these definitions are inextricably rooted to our all of the different aspects which make up our identities. Queer Culture has contributed significantly to our society in the past, and still continues to today, allowing those who may be different to come together and be heard. ​ < Back to Glossary

White Privilege White privilege, or white skin privilege, is the societal privilege that benefits white people over non-white people in some societies, particularly if they are otherwise under the same social, political, or economic circumstances. ​ < Back to Glossary

Adversity Referring to a difficult or unpleasant situation. Queer people regularly face adversity that cisgender heterosexual people do not, such as discrimination in the workplace, rejection by family members, medical gatekeeping, political scapegoating or violence and abuse on account of their identity. ​ < Back to Glossary

Disassociation Dissociation is a mental process where a person disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories or sense of identity. Whilst this can be seen as a form of self-defence and preservation from negative thoughts and experiences, for members of the LGBTQIA+ Community, this can be seen as a trauma response. Always remember it is important to seek help from others if you feel your wellbeing is being compromised. ​ < Back to Glossary

Activist Someone who labels themselves as an ‘activist’ typically adopts a more grassroots approach and can (to an extent) hold anti-establishment mindset. Often, an activist’s lifestyle can be heavily steered by their stance on a specific issue. Furthermore, activists spur on wider political and systemic change through their actions and words. See: Grassroots. < Back to Glossary

Body Shaming The action or practice of humiliating someone by making mocking or critical comments about their body shape or size. Body shaming most-often takes place with one person inflicting shame on another, however, it can also be an internalised thought. ​ < Back to Glossary

Conversion Therapy Conversion therapy is the pseudoscientific practice of attempting to change an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression to align with heterosexual and cisgender norms. Conversion therapy is still legal in more than half of the world, and campaigners are still fighting everyday to ensure people are free to express themselves any way they wish, and be attracted to anyone they like. No one should try and be forced to be someone they're not. As a community, we should stand up and strongly denounce the legality of this practice that has severe effects on the wellbeing of those who are subjected to it. ​ < Back to Glossary

Butch Traditionally, in lesbian culture, the word 'butch' refers to a person whose gender expression and traits present as typically 'masculine'. Being butch is about playing with and challenging traditional binary male and female gender roles and expressions. ​ < Back to Glossary

Survival Living through life threatening or traumatic circumstances. Many marginalised people still struggle to survive due to facing oppression, discrimination and abuse as a result of their identity. See: Mutual Aid and Discrimination. < Back to Glossary

Pluralism Cultural pluralism is a term used when smaller groups within a larger society maintain their unique cultural identities, whereby their values and practices are accepted by the dominant culture, provided such are consistent with the laws and values of the wider society. ​ < Back to Glossary