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Colonialism The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, enforcing new laws, religions, and exploiting it economically. LGBTQIA communities were targeted by colonial laws and policies, many of which remain in place today. Of the 68 countries that still criminalise same-sex relationships today, at least 38 of them were once subject to British colonialism. ​ < Back to Glossary

Unconscious (bias) Unconscious biases are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that individuals form outside their own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases stem from one's tendency to organize social worlds by categorizing. Recognising and addressing unconscious biases is a key goal of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives as they stand in the way of ensuring everyone has equal access to opportunities. ​ < Back to Glossary

Personal Development Personal development consists of activities that develop a person's capabilities and potential, increase employability, enhance quality of life and facilitate the realization of dreams and aspirations. While we may measure our lives against certain achievement milestones, it's also valuable to view our achievements within the wider context of our personal development journeys. See: Achievement, Introspection, Growth and Resilience. < Back to Glossary

Stimming Stimming is the repetition of physical movements, sounds, words, moving objects, or other repetitive behaviours. While everyone stims to some degree it is especially common in people who are autistic. People may stim to soothe anxiety or to help themselves deal with overstimulation or sensory overload. Autistic people often feel the need to suppress or hide their stimming from others who do not experience the same compulsions but this can be detrimental to their overall wellbeing. ​ < Back to Glossary

Cumulative Grief Experiencing multiple losses one after another can exacerbate the challenges of processing grief, producing feelings over overwhelm, exhaustion and burnout. While most commonly applied in reference to the deaths of multiple loved ones, cumulative grief can also be brought on by other types of loss, such as the loss of a relationship, a job, your home or estrangement from family. On top of the overload of emotional distress and practical stressors, dealing with multiple losses may mean your support system is less engaged or equipped to support you. This is especially true when dealing with losses within the Queer Community, where a whole support system may be grieving at once. Cumulative grief can combine with concepts like "minority stress" to negatively impact the mental health of historically marginalised communities. See: Minority Stress < Back to Glossary

FSSW Full Service Sex Work (FSSW) refers to in-person, penetrative sex work. See: Sex Work < Back to Glossary

Performance/Performativity Performativity is the concept that language can function as a form of social action and have the effect of change. Performative Allyship: Performative allyship refers to actions performed under the guise of allyship to a marginalised group but which aren’t actually helpful. Often performative allyship is about creating the impression that someone is engaged or contributing to activism, without actually committing to the cause or putting in meaningful work. Considering the effects of Performative Allyship is especially prudent during the time around Pride season. You’re likely to see an uptick in conversations about “rainbow washing”, a term to describe the trend of corporations donning rainbow colours and sharing statements offering surface level support for the Queer Community. This is performative allyship that does little of substance for our community and it does not deserve praise! “Being an ally is not voluntary work. If you are a real ally or motivated to be one, the drive is intrinsic.” - Allan Kartodikromo See: Activist and Changemaker. < Back to Glossary

AIDS AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus. During the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, primarily gay men were persecuted in connection with the illness, as it was perceived that only gay men could contract HIV. However, nowadays, for the first time, more heterosexual people are HIV positive than Queer people. And statistically over 50 per cent of all adults living with HIV currently identify as women. ​ < Back to Glossary

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

Bodily Wisdom We are all gifted with innate body wisdom. Being body-wise means connecting to the great intelligence that has evolved in our bodies through millennia of evolution. There are many ways through which we can connect more with our body. See: Meditation, Breathwork and Movement. < Back to Glossary

Aromantic Someone who does not or experiences limited romantic attraction. See: Asexuality < Back to Glossary

Chromosome A threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus of most living cells, carrying genetic information. 2 of the 46 chromosomes in the body (the X and the Y chromosome) are often used to determine sex as male or female when you are born. They are called sex chromosomes: Females typically have 2 X chromosomes and males have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome. However many other characteristics can also used to determine sex, including reproductive organs. ​ < Back to Glossary

Homophobia The fear, hatred, discomfort with, or mistrust of people who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual. People can also outwardly manifest homophobia towards other people as a result of cultural, social and religious views, or even as a result of internalised shame. Homophobia is the most common form (or well-known) form of harassment and discrimination that people in the LGBTQIA+ community experience. ​ < Back to Glossary

Progress Progressivism is the philosophy that believes it is possible through political action for human societies to improve over time, united on a mission to make our societies more tolerant, compassionate and safer places for all. We have come far in terms of the progression in civil rights we have achieved in recent decades, however, there is always more work to do! See: Civil Rights and Activism. < Back to Glossary

Harassment Harassment is characterised as any unwanted behaviour physical or verbal (or even suggested), that makes a person feel uncomfortable, humiliated, or mentally distressed. It's important that we call out any form of harassment, and create safe spaces for victims to share their experiences to ensure we break the often invisible cycles of harm and abuse that exist within communities and organisations. The battle against harassment also highlights the importance of the role that allies play in making positive change in the wider society around us. See: Ally, Discrimination, Calling Out, Community and Confidence. < Back to Glossary

Reasonable Adjustment A change in the environment or in the way things are customarily done that enables an individual with a disability to have equal opportunity, access and participation. ​ < Back to Glossary

QTIPOC QTIPOC stands for Queer, Trans, or Intersex, Person of Colour. ​ < Back to Glossary

Isms A way of describing any attitude, action or institutional structure that oppresses a person or group because of their target group. For example, race (racism), gender (sexism), economic status (classism), older age (ageism), religion (e.g., anti-Semitism), sexual orientation (heterosexism), language/immigrant status (xenophobism), etc. ​ < 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

Religion A particular system of faith and worship which one can devote themselves to. Religion can provide community, and also be used as a tool for stability and a sense of direction or purpose in unstable times. Some people view their religion as an integral part of their identity, culture and wellbeing. See: Community, Belonging and Purpose < Back to Glossary