This glossary has been produced by members of LGBTQ+ youth groups in England with Dr Lucy Jones from the University of Nottingham. We hope it helps you to understand the language used by many young LGBTQ+ people to describe their lives and their identities, and to support them through their journey into adulthood.

Glossary of words

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Misgendering

Description

Using pronouns or words which refer to someone as the wrong gender, whether deliberately or by mistake. This can be devastating for trans and non-binary people, so it's best to use gender-neutral language and provide gender-neutral facilities (such as toilets, where young LGBTQ+ people can be at particular risk of misgendering) wherever possible.

Mx

Description

A title which, unlike Ms or Mr, is gender neutral rather than specifying a particular binary gender identity. Anybody can use Mx, no matter their gender identity, but providing this as an option (for example, on forms) is a good way of being inclusive of non-binary people.

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