Comprehensive Inclusive Language

Guide
A reference for respectful communication across diverse
communities and identities

accessible Disability diversity_3 LGBTQ+ wc Sex & Gender people Race & Ethnicity

mosque Religion account_balance Socioeconomics badge Personal Names public Othering Language

translate Pronouns

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Most Inclusive More Inclusive Rather Inclusive Use With Caution Extreme Caution Avoid Taboo

This guide provides detailed recommendations for inclusive language across nine major
categories, with severity ratings and alternatives for each term. Each term includes an
inappropriate alternative with detailed explanations about why certain language is
preferred or should be avoided.
accessible Disability Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Afflicted with Cripple
Person with a Disabled person Autistic person Hearing Handicapped "She is afflicted with "The cripple couldn't
disability "The disabled person "The autistic person impaired "The handicapped multiple sclerosis." climb stairs."

"The person with a advocated for shared their "The hearing impaired entrance is at the Suggests suffering, Historically
disability requested accessibility." perspective." student uses assistive back." not living. dehumanizing slur.
accommodations." Identity-first Identity-first tech." Derives from "cap in Alternative: victim Alternative:
language preferred language, preferred hand," begging. of (category physically
Puts the person first, Focuses on deficit
not the disability. by some. by some. rather than identity. Alternative: cripple Taboo) challenged

Alternative: a Alternative: Alternative: suffers Alternative: deaf- (category Taboo) Severity: 9 (category D)

person who is handicapped from autism mute (category Severity: 8 Severity: 10

disabled (category person (category E) (category F) Taboo)

Mentally ill
C) Severity: 3 Severity: 5 Wheelchair- "The mentally ill Deaf and dumb
Severity: 7
Severity: 1 bound patient required care." "The deaf and dumb
Has autism Deaf person Visually Reduces person to person
"The wheelchair-
Accessible "My child has autism "The Deaf person uses impaired bound patient diagnosis. communicated."
parking and communicates sign language." "The visually waited." Alternative: insane Dumb means unable
differently." Cultural identity for (category Taboo) to speak, not
"Please use the impaired person uses Implies
accessible parking Describes condition some. Alternative: a guide dog." Severity: 9 intelligence.
confinement, not
spaces." as part of person. deaf and dumb mobility. Alternative: mute
Medicalized and
Alternative: (category Taboo) Alternative: Retarded (category F)
Focuses on impersonal.
autistic (category Severity: 5 invalid (category "The retarded child Severity: 10
functionality, not Alternative: blind
limitation. C) as a bat (category Taboo) struggled in school."
Severity: 3 Blind person Crazy
Alternative: Taboo) Severity: 8 Medical term turned
handicapped "The blind person slur. Alternative: "The crazy person
Severity: 7
parking (category
Uses a navigated with a Confined to a moron (category shouted in the street."

E) wheelchair cane." Differently abled wheelchair Taboo) Stigmatizes mental

Severity: 1 "He uses a wheelchair Direct but may lack "The differently abled "She is confined to a Severity: 9 health conditions.
for mobility." nuance. athlete competed." wheelchair." Alternative:
Accessible Active language Alternative: suffers Invalid lunatic (category
Euphemistic, may Suggests
restroom describing from blindness "The invalid remained Taboo)
seem patronizing. imprisonment, not
"The accessible equipment use. (category F) Alternative: cripple freedom. at home." Severity: 10

restroom is on the Alternative: Severity: 5 (category Taboo) Alternative: Means "not valid,"
confined to a Vegetable
first floor." Severity: 7 wheelchair victim dehumanizing.
wheelchair Mental health (category Taboo) Alternative: cripple "The vegetable lay in
Emphasizes usability
for all. Alternative: (category E) condition Mental illness Severity: 8 (category Taboo) the hospital bed."

handicapped Severity: 3 "She manages a "He lives with a Severity: 9 Dehumanizes people
restroom (category mental health mental illness." Suffers from with severe
E) Hard of hearing condition." Special disabilities.
Medicalized, may "He suffers from
Severity: 1 "She is hard of Medical but cerebral palsy." "The special child Alternative: brain
stigmatize.
hearing and uses somewhat clinical. needed extra help." dead (category
Alternative: crazy Implies constant
Neurodivergent captions." Taboo)
Alternative: mental (category Taboo) pain, victimhood. Patronizing
Preferred term for illness (category D) Severity: 10
"She is neurodivergent Severity: 7 Alternative: euphemism.
and thinks partial hearing loss. Severity: 5 afflicted with Alternative: feeble-
Alternative: Moron
differently." High functioning (category F) minded (category
Respects hearing impaired Special needs Severity: 8 Taboo) "The moron couldn't
"The high functioning
(category D) "The child with understand."
neurological autistic student Severity: 9
differences. Severity: 3 special needs requires excelled." Low functioning Former medical
Alternative: support." "The low functioning term, now slur.
Creates harmful
mentally ill Low vision Alternative: idiot
Vague and hierarchies. student needs
(category F) "The person with low patronizing to some. support." (category Taboo)
Alternative: low
Severity: 1 vision uses a screen Alternative: Severity: 10
functioning Creates harmful
reader." retarded (category (category E) hierarchies.
Wheelchair user Describes specific Taboo) Alternative:
Severity: 7
"The wheelchair user visual ability. Severity: 5 vegetable
entered through the Alternative: (category Taboo)
ramp." visually impaired Severity: 8
Describes equipment (category D)

use, not limitation. Severity: 3

Alternative:
wheelchair-bound
(category E)
Severity: 1
diversity_3 LGBTQ+ Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Dyke Faggot
Queer Transgender Bisexual Homosexual Lifestyle "The dyke walked "The faggot walked
"They identify as "She is a transgender "She identifies as "The study focused on "They chose the gay down the street." past."
queer." woman." bisexual." homosexual couples." lifestyle." Historically Violent homophobic
Umbrella term, Gender identity Attraction to more Clinical, Implies choice, not derogatory slur. slur. Alternative:
reclaimed by differs from sex than one gender. pathologizing term. identity. Alternative: gay man (category
community. assigned at birth. Alternative: bi- Alternative: Alternative: lesbian (category C)
Alternative: Alternative: curious (category sodomite (category perversion C) Severity: 10
homosexual transsexual D) Taboo) (category Taboo) Severity: 9
(category D) (category D) Severity: 5 Severity: 7 Severity: 8
Tranny
Severity: 1 Severity: 3 Normal "The tranny entered
Lesbian Transsexual Preference "They have a normal the room."
Two-Spirit Cisgender "The couple are both "She is a transsexual "She has a preference relationship." Violent transphobic
"The elder is Two- "He is cisgender." lesbians." woman." for women." Implies LGBTQ+ is slur. Alternative:
Spirit." Gender identity Woman attracted to Medicalized, Minimizes identity abnormal. transgender person
Indigenous term for aligns with sex women. outdated term. as mere preference. Alternative: (category B)
gender/sexuality assigned at birth. Alternative: dyke Alternative: tranny Alternative: fetish heterosexual Severity: 10
diversity. Alternative: (category F) (category Taboo) (category F) (category C)
Alternative: third normal (category Severity: 5 Severity: 7 Severity: 8 Severity: 9 Hermaphrodite
gender (category F) "The hermaphrodite
D) Severity: 3 Gay Same-sex Openly gay Confused was studied."
Severity: 1 "He is a gay man." "Same-sex marriage is "The actor is openly "The teen is confused Dehumanizing
Pansexual legal." gay." about their gender." medical term.
Man attracted to
Non-binary "They identify as Invalidates identity Alternative:
men. Alternative: Focuses on sex Implies others
"My friend is non- pansexual." faggot (category rather than identity. should be closeted. as confusion. intersex person
binary." Attraction regardless Taboo) Alternative: Alternative: Alternative: (category C)
Gender identity of gender. Severity: 5 deviant (category flamboyant exploring Severity: 10
outside male/female Alternative: F) (category F) (category D)
binary. Alternative: bisexual (category Genderqueer Severity: 7 Severity: 8 Severity: 9 Sodomite
genderqueer C) "They identify as "The sodomite was
(category C) Severity: 3 LGBTQ+ Sex change Fetish arrested."
genderqueer."
Severity: 1 "The event was for "He underwent a sex "Their sexuality is just Religious
Gender identity
Asexual LGBTQ+ youth." change." a fetish." condemnation,
outside binary.
Gender-affirming "My friend is Reduces identity to dehumanizing.
Alternative: Acronym may Reduces transition
care asexual." gender-bender exclude some to surgery. sexual object. Alternative: gay
"They provide gender- Little or no sexual (category D) identities. Alternative: Alternative: kink person (category
affirming care." attraction. Severity: 5 Alternative: gay mutilation (category D) C)

Supports gender Alternative: frigid community (category Taboo) Severity: 9 Severity: 10

identity expression. (category Taboo) Intersex (category D) Severity: 8

Alternative: sex Severity: 3 Severity: 7
Flamboyant Perversion
"The person is
change (category intersex." Born in the "The gay man was "Their relationship is
F) Genderfluid Bi-curious wrong body flamboyant." a perversion."
Sex characteristics
Severity: 1 "Their gender identity not typical of "He identified as bi- "She was born in the Stereotypes and Pathologizes
is genderfluid." binary. Alternative: curious." wrong body." caricatures. identity.
Partner Gender identity hermaphrodite Minimizes identity, Alternative: Alternative:
Pathologizes trans
"I'm going to the event changes over time. (category Taboo) implies expressive relationship
identity.
with my partner." Alternative: Severity: 5 experimentation. Alternative: (category C) (category A)

Inclusive term for confused (category Alternative: confused (category Severity: 9 Severity: 10

significant other. F) confused (category F)

Alternative: lover Severity: 3 F) Severity: 8
(category D) Severity: 7

Severity: 1
wc Sex and Gender Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Real Tranny
Person with a Gender- Woman/Man Female/Male Born a boy/girl woman/man "The tranny walked
uterus expansive "The woman/man "The female/male "She was born a boy." "She's not a real by."

"People with a uterus "The child is gender- entered the room." participant." Invalidates current woman." Violent transphobic
need specific expansive." Binary terms, Biological terms, identity. Invalidates trans slur. Alternative:
healthcare." excludes non-binary. often misused. Alternative: real identities. transgender person
Broader than binary
Alternative: Alternative: woman/man Alternative: (category B)
Inclusive of trans categories.
men and non-binary Alternative: female/male woman/man (category F) biological Severity: 10

people. Alternative: tomboy (category (category D) (category C) Severity: 8 woman/man

woman (category D) Severity: 5 Severity: 7 (category E) Hermaphrodite
C) Severity: 3 Gender-bender Severity: 9 "The hermaphrodite
Severity: 1 Gender non- Guys "The performer is a was studied."
Gender-affirming conforming "Hey guys, let's start gender-bender." Biological Dehumanizing
Menstruators "They provide gender- "They are gender non- the meeting." Sensationalizes woman/man medical term.
"Menstruators may affirming care." conforming." Male-coded gender diversity. "Only biological Alternative:
need period products." Supports gender Defines by relation collective term. Alternative: freak women can give intersex person
Alternative: gals (category Taboo) birth." (category C)
Includes trans men identity. to norms.
and non-binary Alternative: Alternative: (category E) Severity: 8 Used to exclude Severity: 10

people. Alternative: gender-confirming gender-bender Severity: 7 trans people.

women (category (category D) (category E) Boys and girls Alternative: Shemale
C) Severity: 3 Severity: 5
Ladies and "Boys and girls, line natural "The shemale
Severity: 1 gentlemen up." woman/man performed."
Assigned Breastfeeding "Ladies and Binary, excludes (category F) Pornographic,
Gender-diverse male/female at "The mother is gentlemen, welcome." non-binary children. Severity: 9 dehumanizing term.
"The program birth breastfeeding." Binary greeting, Alternative: ladies Alternative: trans
supports gender- and gents Sissy woman (category
"They were assigned Excludes trans and excludes non-binary.
diverse youth." (category D) "The boy is a sissy." B)
female at birth." non-binary parents. Alternative: boys
Encompasses all Alternative: and girls (category Severity: 8 Insulting, reinforces Severity: 10
Recognizes
gender identities. assignment vs nursing (category E) gender stereotypes.
Alternative: gender C) Gals Alternative: He-she
identity. Severity: 7
non-conforming Severity: 5 "Hey gals, let's go effeminate "The he-she entered
Alternative: born a
(category C) boy/girl (category Expectant shopping." (category D) the room."
Severity: 1 E) Pregnant women mothers Female-coded, Severity: 9 Invalidates gender

Severity: 3 "Pregnant women "Expectant mothers excludes non-binary. identity.

Chestfeeding need prenatal care." Alternative: girls Natural Alternative: they
need special care."
"The parent is Folks Excludes trans men (category D) woman/man (category A)
Excludes trans and
chestfeeding their "Hey folks, welcome and non-binary Severity: 8 "She's a natural Severity: 10
non-binary parents.
infant." to the meeting." people. Alternative: woman."
Alternative:
Inclusive of trans expectant mothers Mothers-to-be Freak
Gender-neutral mothers-to-be Implies trans people
and non-binary (category D) (category D) "The mothers-to-be are unnatural. "The gender freak
collective term.
parents. Severity: 5 attended class." Alternative: born performed."
Alternative: guys Severity: 7
Alternative: (category D) Excludes trans and woman/man Dehumanizes gender
breastfeeding Nursing Tomboy non-binary parents. (category E) diversity.
Severity: 3
(category C) "The parent is nursing Alternative: Severity: 9 Alternative:
"The girl is a tomboy."
Severity: 1 Everyone their baby." expecting performer
Reinforces gender
Slightly more (category C) Girls (category A)
"Everyone should stereotypes.
Pregnant people Severity: 10
wash their hands." inclusive than Alternative: sissy Severity: 8 "The girls are going
"Pregnant people need breastfeeding. out tonight."
Truly gender- (category F)
prenatal care." Alternative: bottle-
neutral. Severity: 7 Infantilizes adult
Includes trans men feeding (category women.
Alternative: ladies
and non-binary and gentlemen D) Alternative: ladies
people. Alternative: (category D) Severity: 5 (category D)
pregnant women Severity: 9
Severity: 3
(category C)
Severity: 1
people Race and Ethnicity Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Colored N-word
Black Black, Hispanic black Caucasian "The colored people "The N-word was
(capitalized) Indigenous, and "Hispanic heritage (lowercased) "The Caucasian attended." used as a slur."

"Black communities People of Color month is celebrated." "black communities population declined." Segregation-era Violent racial slur.
have rich cultural (BIPOC) Language-based, face challenges." Outdated term. Alternative: Alternative: Black
traditions." excludes non- Minimizes racial anthropological People of Color (category A)
"BIPOC communities
Recognizes Black as Spanish speakers. identity. term. Alternative: (category A) Severity: 10
advocate for justice."
a racial/ethnic Alternative: Alternative: negro Aryan (category Severity: 9
Highlights specific
identity. Spanish (category (category F) Taboo) Aryan
marginalized
Alternative: black D) Severity: 8 Negro "The Aryan race was
groups. Alternative: Severity: 7
(lowercased) Severity: 5 "The Negro promoted."
minorities
(category D) white Minority ethnic community Nazi racial ideology.
(category E)
Severity: 1 Asian (lowercased) groups organized." Alternative: White
Severity: 3
"Asian cultures are "white privilege exists "Minority ethnic Outdated, offensive (category B)
Indigenous White diverse." groups need support." term. Alternative: Severity: 10
in society."
Peoples (capitalized) Broad term, may Defines by relation Black (category A)
Minimizes racial
"Indigenous Peoples erase specific to majority. Severity: 9 Savages
"White privilege is a identity.
have distinct rights." identities. Alternative: "The savages lived in
social reality." Alternative:
Alternative: minorities
Oriental the jungle."
Recognizes Recognizes Caucasian
sovereignty and Oriental (category (category E) (category D) "The Oriental person Colonial
Whiteness as racial
diversity. F) Severity: 8 spoke." dehumanization.
identity. Severity: 7
Alternative: Severity: 5 Exoticizing, colonial Alternative:
Alternative: white
natives (category Minority Ethnic term. Alternative: Indigenous Peoples
(lowercased)
D) Middle Eastern Asian (category C) (category A)
(category D) "Minority groups face "The ethnic restaurant
Severity: 1 "Middle Eastern was popular." Severity: 9 Severity: 10
Severity: 3 discrimination."
cuisine is diverse."
Numerical framing, Often implies non-
People of Color Latina/Latino Geographic term, Western/white. Indian Chinaman
may erase power
"People of Color face may not reflect dynamics. Alternative: exotic "The Indian "The Chinaman
"Latina/Latino voters
systemic barriers." identity. Alternative: (category F) performed a dance." opened a store."
are influential."
Political solidarity Alternative: Arab minority ethnic Severity: 8 Incorrect term for Derogatory racial
Gendered terms for
(category D) Indigenous peoples. slur. Alternative:
term. Alternative: Latin Americans. groups (category
colored people Severity: 5 E) Natives Alternative: Chinese person
Alternative:
(category F) Severity: 7 "The natives lived in Indigenous (category B)
Hispanic (category
Multiracial (category A)
Severity: 1 C) the forest." Severity: 10
"Multiracial identities Native American Colonial, exoticizing Severity: 9
Severity: 3
Latinx are complex." "Native American term. Alternative: Redskin
"Latinx communities First Nations Recognizes mixed traditions are savages (category Exotic "The Redskin mascot
celebrate diverse heritage. diverse." Taboo) "The exotic dancer was controversial."
"First Nations peoples
heritage." Alternative: mixed Broad term, may Severity: 8 performed." Violent racial slur.
have distinct
Gender-neutral term (category D) erase specific Othering, fetishizing Alternative: Native
cultures."
for Latin Americans. Severity: 5 nations. Arabesque term. Alternative: American
Specific to
Alternative: Latino Alternative: Indian "The arabesque design ethnic (category E) (category D)
Indigenous peoples
(category C) Black and Brown (category F)
in Canada. was intricate." Severity: 9 Severity: 10
Severity: 1 "Black and Brown Severity: 7
Alternative: Orientalist,
communities unite."
Indians (category exoticizing term.
Asian American F) Solidarity term, may Arab Alternative: Arab
"Asian American Severity: 3
oversimplify. "Arab cultures span (category D)
representation is Alternative: many countries." Severity: 8
growing." African colored (category May erase diverse
F)
Recognizes specific American identities.
identity. Severity: 5 Alternative:
"African American
Alternative: history is American Arabesque
Oriental (category history." (category E)
F) Severity: 7
Specific to Black
Severity: 1
Americans.
Alternative: Afro-
American
(category D)
Severity: 3
mosque Religion Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Mohammedan Jesus freak
People of faith Religious Religious people Jew Fundamentalist "The Mohammedan "The Jesus freak
"People of faith from tradition "Religious people "The Jew entered the "The fundamentalist prayed facing Mecca." preached on campus."
various traditions "The religious gathered for prayer." synagogue." group protested." Outdated, offensive Derogatory slur for
gathered." tradition has ancient General term, may Often used in Often used term. Alternative: Christians.
Respects diverse roots." lack specificity. derogatory context. pejoratively. Muslim (category Alternative:
religious identities. Respects historical Alternative: pious Alternative: Jewish Alternative: A) Christian (category
Alternative: (category D) person (category conservative Severity: 9 B)
context.
religious people Alternative: cult Severity: 5 A) (category D) Severity: 10
(category C) (category F) Severity: 7 Severity: 8 Hindoo
Severity: 1 Religious "The Hindoo temple Infidel
Severity: 3
"The religious Ecumenical Radical was ancient." "The infidel was
Muslim Christian ceremony was "The ecumenical "The radical religious Colonial spelling, condemned."
"The Muslim "Christian beautiful." service united group was offensive. Historically violent
community celebrated communities Adjective, may be Christians." monitored." Alternative: Hindu term. Alternative:
Eid." celebrated Easter." vague. Alternative: Christian-specific Implies extremism. (category A) non-believer
Correct term for Correct term for holy (category D) term. Alternative: Alternative: Severity: 9 (category C)
followers of Islam. followers of Severity: 5 interfaith fundamentalist Severity: 10
Alternative: Christianity. (category A) (category E) Cult
Mohammedan Alternative: Jesus Buddhist monk Severity: 7 Severity: 8 "The cult recruited Heathen
(category F) freak (category "The Buddhist monk new members." "The heathen
Severity: 1 Taboo) taught meditation." New age Conservative Pejorative, practiced ancient
Severity: 3 "The new age shop "The conservative judgmental term. rituals."
Specific role, may
Jewish sold crystals." religious leader Alternative: Historically violent
generalize.
"Jewish families Buddhist Alternative: May trivialize spoke." religious tradition term. Alternative:
observed Hanukkah." "The Buddhist temple Buddhist (category spiritual practices. May be politically (category B) pagan (category D)
Correct term for welcomed visitors." B) Alternative: charged. Severity: 9 Severity: 10
people of Jewish Correct term for Severity: 5 spiritual but not Alternative:
heritage. followers of religious (category traditional Zealot Savage
Alternative: Jew Buddhism. Sikhism B) (category C) "The zealot preached "The savage practiced
(category D) Alternative: "Sikhism originated in Severity: 7 Severity: 8 on the corner." primitive religion."
Severity: 1 Buddhist monk Punjab." Negative Colonial
(category C) Pious Traditional connotation. dehumanization.
Refers to religion,
Hindu Severity: 3 "The pious person "The traditional Alternative: devout Alternative:
not people.
"The Hindu Alternative: Sikh prayed daily." religious practice (category C) Indigenous
community celebrated Sikh (category B) Implies judgment of continued." Severity: 9 (category A)
Diwali." "The Sikh community Severity: 5 devotion. May imply Severity: 10
Correct term for shared langar." Alternative: devout resistance to change. Fanatic
followers of Correct term for Devout (category C) Alternative: "The fanatic refused Heretic
Hinduism. followers of "The devout follower Severity: 7 conservative to compromise." "The heretic was
Alternative: Sikhism. attended services." (category E) Highly negative burned at the stake."
Hindoo (category Alternative: Holy Severity: 8 term. Alternative: Historically violent
Implies judgment of
F) Sikhism (category "The holy book was zealot (category F) term. Alternative:
devotion level.
Severity: 1 C) sacred." Extremist dissenter (category
Alternative: pious Severity: 9
Severity: 3 (category D) May be subjective. "The extremist group C)
Interfaith was condemned."
Severity: 5 Alternative: sacred Severity: 10
"The interfaith Spiritual but not (category C) Highly judgmental
dialogue was religious Severity: 7 term. Alternative:
productive." radical (category
"She identifies as
Recognizes multiple spiritual but not E)
faith traditions. religious." Severity: 8
Alternative: Recognizes non-
ecumenical
institutional
(category D) spirituality.
Severity: 1 Alternative: new
age (category D)
Severity: 3
account_balance Socioeconomics Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
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Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Welfare queen Ghetto
People with Low-income Underprivileged Disadvantaged Poor "The welfare queen "The ghetto was
limited financial "Low-income families "Underprivileged "Disadvantaged "Poor people need exploited the system." dangerous."
resources need support." youth need communities need assistance." Racist, sexist Racist, classist slur.
Common, respectful opportunities." support." Defines people by stereotype. Alternative:
"People with limited
financial resources term. Alternative: Implies comparison Defines by deficit. economic status. Alternative: person underserved

need support." poor (category E) to privileged. Alternative: Alternative: people receiving public community

Severity: 3 Alternative: underprivileged with limited assistance (category B)

Respectful, specific
disadvantaged (category C) financial resources (category A) Severity: 10
description.
Alternative: poor Working class (category B) Severity: 7 (category A) Severity: 9

Severity: 5 Severity: 8 White trash

people (category E) "Working class
Class divide Trailer trash "The white trash lived
Severity: 1 communities face
challenges." Poverty "The class divide is Homeless "The trailer trash in poverty."

People "Poverty affects many growing." "Homeless people lived in poverty." Classist, racist slur.
Recognizes
experiencing economic position. communities." May oversimplify sleep on streets." Classist, derogatory Alternative: person
Alternative: blue- Abstract concept, complex issues. Defines people by term. Alternative: with limited
housing
collar (category D) may depersonalize. Alternative: wealth housing status. person with financial resources
insecurity
Severity: 3 Alternative: poor gap (category C) Alternative: people limited financial (category A)
"People experiencing resources
(category E) Severity: 7 experiencing Severity: 10
housing insecurity (category A)
Underserved Severity: 5 housing insecurity
need shelter." Hobo
"Underserved Gentrification (category A) Severity: 9
Focuses on situation, Wealth gap "The hobo traveled by
communities need "Gentrification Severity: 8
not identity. Bum train."
resources." "The wealth gap displaced residents."
Alternative: Hungry "The bum asked for
Focuses on systemic continues to widen." May neutralize Dehumanizing term.
homeless (category money."
neglect. Focuses on harmful process. "Hungry children Alternative: person
E)
Alternative: economic disparity. Alternative: need food." Dehumanizing term. experiencing
Severity: 1
underprivileged Alternative: class displacement Defines people by Alternative: person housing insecurity
(category D) divide (category D) (category E) basic need. experiencing (category A)
People with
Severity: 3 Severity: 5 Severity: 7 Alternative: people housing insecurity Severity: 10
lower incomes
experiencing food (category A)
"People with lower Economically Blue-collar Professional insecurity Severity: 9 Vagrant
incomes face (category A)
disadvantaged "Blue-collar workers "Professional workers "The vagrant slept on
barriers." Freeloader
"Economically face unique earn more." Severity: 8 the bench."
Neutral, descriptive challenges." "The freeloader took
disadvantaged May imply others Criminalizes
term. Alternative: Impoverished advantage of others." poverty.
students need May reinforce class are unprofessional.
low-income "Impoverished
support." stereotypes. Alternative: white- Judgmental, classist Alternative: person
(category C)
Alternative: collar (category C) communities lack term. Alternative: experiencing
Formal, respectful
Severity: 1 resources." person with housing insecurity
term. Alternative: working class Severity: 7
(category B) Defines people by limited financial (category A)
impoverished
People with
(category E) Severity: 5 Affluent economic status. resources Severity: 10
limited access to (category A)
Severity: 3 "Affluent Alternative:
resources White-collar economically Severity: 9 Degenerate
neighborhoods have
"People with limited Economic "White-collar jobs better schools." disadvantaged "The degenerate lived
access to resources (category B) Slum in poverty."
hardship often pay more." May mask systemic
need assistance." Severity: 8 "The slum was Dehumanizing,
"Many face economic May reinforce class advantages.
Recognizes systemic overcrowded." classist slur.
hardship." stereotypes. Alternative:
barriers. Displacement Dehumanizing term Alternative: person
Focuses on situation, Alternative: wealthy (category
Alternative: professional C) "Displacement affects for communities. with limited
not identity.
underprivileged (category C) Severity: 7
many residents." Alternative: financial resources
Alternative:
(category D) May obscure underserved (category A)
poverty (category Severity: 5
Severity: 1 responsibility. community Severity: 10
D)
Alternative: (category B)
Severity: 3
People gentrification Severity: 9
experiencing (category D)
food insecurity Severity: 8

"People experiencing
food insecurity visit
food banks."
Focuses on situation,
not identity.
Alternative:
hungry (category
E)
Severity: 1
badge Personal Names Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
check_circle thumb_up priority_high warning 7 error 8
Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
"Exotic name" "Ghetto name"
Name Full name usage Nickname "Where is that "Your name is "You have such an "That's a ghetto
pronunciation "I'll use your full "Do you have a name from?" hard" exotic name." name."
request name as you prefer." nickname you "Where is that name "Your name is hard Otherizes and Racist, classist slur.
Respects formal prefer?" from? It's unusual." to pronounce." fetishizes. Alternative: Alternative:
"Could you please
help me pronounce identity. May diminish May otherize the Places burden on Cultural name Cultural name

your name Alternative: formal identity. person. person. acknowledgment acknowledgment

correctly?" "Shortening your Alternative: Alternative: Name Alternative: Name (category A) (category A)
name" (category Chosen name origin inquiry pronunciation Severity: 9 Severity: 10
Shows respect for
identity. D) (category A) (category B) request (category
Severity: 3 Severity: 5 A) "Foreign name" "Terrorist name"
Alternative: "Your Severity: 7
name is hard" Severity: 8 "Your name sounds "That sounds like a

(category E)
Name origin Shortened name "Is that your real foreign." terrorist name."

Severity: 1 inquiry "I shortened your name?" "Real name" Implies otherness. Islamophobic slur.
"I'd love to learn name for "Is that your real "What's your real Alternative: Name Alternative: Name
Preferred name about your name's convenience."
name or a name?" origin inquiry origin inquiry

"What name would origin if you're May alter identity nickname?" Invalidates chosen (category B) (category B)

you like me to use?" comfortable sharing." without permission. identity. Severity: 9 Severity: 10
Invalidates identity.
Shows respectful Alternative: Full Alternative:
Respects self- Alternative:
curiosity. name (category B) Preferred name
"Made-up name" "Illegal name"
identification. Preferred name
Alternative: "Real Alternative: Severity: 5 (category A) (category A) "Is that a made-up "Is that an illegal
name" (category E) "Where is that Severity: 8 name?" name?"
Severity: 7
name from?" Name Invalidates legitimacy. Xenophobic slur.
Severity: 1
(category D) familiarity "I'll just call "Weird spelling" Alternative: Name Alternative: Name
Chosen name Severity: 3 assumption you..." "Your name has a meaning inquiry spelling

"My chosen name is "I assumed you'd weird spelling." (category C) confirmation
"I'll just call you
Name practice Severity: 9 (category A)
Alex." prefer a simpler something easier." Dismisses cultural
repetition name." naming. Severity: 10
Validates self- Dismisses identity.
"Let me practice Alternative: Name
"Unpronounceable"
determination. Makes assumptions Alternative: Name
saying your name spelling "Your name is "Slave name"
Alternative: about preferences. practice repetition
"Nickname" correctly." Alternative: Name confirmation unpronounceable." "That's a slave
(category B)
(category D) Demonstrates preference inquiry (category A) Dismisses effort. name."
Severity: 7
Severity: 1 commitment. (category A) Severity: 8 Alternative: Name Historically violent
Alternative: "I'll Severity: 5 "That's an pronunciation term. Alternative:
Name spelling just call you..." "I'll make up a request (category A) Cultural name
interesting
confirmation (category E) Anglicized name spelling" Severity: 9 acknowledgment
name"
Severity: 3 "Do you use an "I'll just make up a (category A)
"Could you spell your "That's an interesting
anglicized name?" spelling for your "Fake name" Severity: 10
name for me?" name, where did you
Name correction name." "Are you using a fake
Shows attention to May imply original get it?"
acceptance name?" "Gangster name"
detail. Alternative: name is inferior. Disrespectful to
May imply name is "That sounds like a
"Weird spelling" "Thank you for Alternative: identity. Questions authenticity.
strange. gangster name."
(category E) correcting my Preferred name Alternative: Name Alternative: Preferred
Alternative:
Severity: 1
pronunciation." (category A) writing assistance name (category A) Racist stereotype.
Cultural name
Shows humility and Severity: 5 (category B) Severity: 9 Alternative: Name
acknowledgment
Cultural name respect. Severity: 8 meaning inquiry
(category A)
acknowledgment Alternative: Name meaning (category C)
Severity: 7
"You're too inquiry "You're too Severity: 10
"Thank you for
sensitive" "What does your "Can I give you a sensitive"
sharing the meaning
(category F) name mean?" "You're too sensitive
of your name." nickname?"
Severity: 3 about your name."
Values cultural May be intrusive for "Can I give you a
significance. some. Alternative: nickname? Yours is Dismisses valid
Name writing
Alternative: Cultural name hard to say." concerns.
assistance acknowledgment Alternative: Name
"Exotic name" Imposes identity.
(category F) "Would you like to (category A) correction
Alternative:
Severity: 1
write your name for Severity: 5 acceptance
Preferred name
me?" (category B)
(category A)
Respects name Severity: 8
Severity: 7
complexity.
Alternative: "I'll
make up a
spelling" (category
E)
Severity: 3
public Othering Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
check_circle thumb_up priority_high warning 7 error 8
Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
Exotic Barbarian
Specific cultural Cultural context Multicultural Foreign Ethnic "The exotic dancer "The barbarian tribe
identity "We considered the "The multicultural "The foreign student "The ethnic restaurant performed." invaded."

"The Nigerian cultural context." event was diverse." struggled." was popular." Fetishizes otherness. Historically violent
community celebrated Recognizes cultural May imply cultures Implies otherness. Often implies non- Alternative: term. Alternative:
their heritage." background. are separate. Alternative: Western. international Indigenous

Respects specific Alternative: exotic Alternative: cross- international Alternative: (category A) community

identity. (category F) cultural (category (category A) specific cultural Severity: 9 (category B)

Alternative: ethnic Severity: 3 A) Severity: 7 identity (category Severity: 10

(category E) Severity: 5 A) Primitive

Cultural heritage Folk wisdom Severity: 8 "The primitive tribe Uncivilized
Severity: 1
"The museum Cultural "The folk wisdom was was studied." "The uncivilized
Global displayed cultural exchange passed down." Strange customs Colonial people were

perspectives heritage." "The cultural "They had strange dehumanization. conquered."

Minimizes
"We considered global Values cultural exchange was knowledge value. customs." Alternative: Colonial

perspectives on the traditions. educational." Alternative: Judges cultural Indigenous justification.

issue." Alternative: May imply Indigenous practices. community Alternative:

primitive (category transactional knowledge Alternative: (category B) Indigenous
Includes all
F) relationship. (category B) cultural practices Severity: 9 community
viewpoints.
(category B) (category B)
Alternative: Severity: 3 Alternative: cross- Severity: 7
cultural Severity: 8 Third world Severity: 10
foreign (category
D) Cultural collaboration Global South "Third world
practices (category A) Minorities countries need aid." Oriental
Severity: 1 "Global South
"The community Severity: 5 countries face "Minorities faced Outdated, "The Oriental person
International maintained cultural challenges." discrimination." hierarchical term. was mysterious."

practices." Cultural May oversimplify Groups diverse Alternative: Colonial

"The international
delegation arrived." Respects traditions. differences diversity. peoples together. specific country exoticization.

Alternative: "We navigated Alternative: Alternative: names (category A) Alternative: Asian

Neutral, inclusive
strange customs cultural differences." specific country specific Severity: 9 (category C)
term. Alternative:
(category E) names (category A) community names Severity: 10
exotic (category F) May emphasize
Severity: 7 (category A) Savage
Severity: 1 Severity: 3 separation.
Severity: 8 "The savage people Native
Alternative:
Cross-cultural Global cultural diversity
Non-Western lived in the jungle." "The native performed
community (category B) "Non-Western Uncivilized Colonial a ritual."
"The cross-cultural
collaboration was "The global Severity: 5 philosophies were "The uncivilized tribe dehumanization. Colonial
studied." was studied." Alternative: dehumanization.
successful." community
responded." Developing Defines by relation Colonial judgment. Indigenous Alternative:
Recognizes multiple
countries to West. Alternative: community Indigenous person
cultures. Inclusive of all
Alternative: Indigenous (category B) (category B)
Alternative: people. Alternative: "Developing countries
multicultural third world face challenges." specific cultural community Severity: 9 Severity: 10

(category C) (category F) identity (category (category B)

Implies linear
A) Severity: 8 Tribal Subhuman
Severity: 1 Severity: 3 progression.
Severity: 7 "The tribal people had "The subhuman
Alternative: Global
Diverse Indigenous Backward unique customs." creatures were
South (category D)
Minority "The backward Implies studied."
communities knowledge Severity: 5
"The minority group society resisted primitiveness. Extreme
"Diverse communities "Indigenous
Traditional advocated." change." Alternative: dehumanization.
shared their knowledge was
Defines by Judges cultural Indigenous Alternative: human
experiences." valued." "The traditional
numerical status. development. community (category A)
Recognizes Recognizes specific practice continued."
Alternative: Alternative: (category B) Severity: 10
diversity. expertise. May imply static
specific traditional Severity: 9
Alternative: Alternative: folk culture.
community name (category C)
minorities wisdom (category Alternative:
(category A) Severity: 8
(category E) D) cultural heritage
Severity: 7
Severity: 1 Severity: 3 (category B)
Severity: 5
translate Pronouns Language Guide
A: Most Inclusive B: More Inclusive C: Rather Inclusive D: Use With Caution E: Extreme Caution F: Avoid Taboo
 Most 0- More 3- Rather 5- Use With Extreme block Avoid 9 not_interested Taboo 10
check_circle thumb_up priority_high warning 7 error 8
Inclusive 2 Inclusive 4 Inclusive 6 Caution Caution
"You're too "She-male"
They/them He/him He/she "I forget "What are you?" sensitive" "The she-male
(singular) "He is coming to the "He/she is coming to sometimes" "What are you, a boy "You're too sensitive performed."

"They are coming to meeting." the meeting." "I forget their or girl?" about pronouns." Transphobic slur.
the meeting." Traditional Excludes non-binary pronouns sometimes." Dehumanizing Dismisses valid Alternative:
masculine pronoun. identities. question. concerns. she/her (category
Gender-neutral Minimizes
Alternative: "he- Alternative: Alternative: Alternative: B)
singular pronoun. importance.
Alternative: he/she man" (category F) they/them Alternative: pronoun asking pronoun correction Severity: 10

(category C) Severity: 3 (category A) pronoun practice (category A) (category A)

Severity: 5 (category B) Severity: 8 Severity: 9 "He-she"
Severity: 1
She/her Severity: 7 "The he-she entered
Pronoun sharing "She is coming to the S/he "Are you a boy "He-man" the room."

"My pronouns are meeting." "S/he is coming to the "It's hard to or girl?" "The he-man entered Transphobic slur.
they/them." Traditional feminine meeting." remember" "Are you a boy or the room." Alternative:

Normalizes pronoun pronoun. Excludes non-binary "It's hard to remember girl?" Caricatures they/them

diversity. Alternative: "she- identities. their pronouns." Binary, excludes masculinity. (category A)

Alternative: "What male" (category Alternative: non-binary. Alternative: Severity: 10

Places burden on
are you?" (category Taboo) they/them person. Alternative: Alternative: he/him (category
E) Severity: 3 (category A) pronoun asking B) "Shim"
pronoun practice
Severity: 1 Severity: 5 (category B) (category A) Severity: 9 "The shim walked
Pronoun practice Severity: 8 past."
Severity: 7
Pronoun asking "I'm practicing using His/her "It" (for people) Transphobic slur.
"What pronouns do their pronouns." "His/her book is on "Preferred "Made-up "It is coming to the Alternative:
you use?" Shows commitment the table." pronouns" pronouns" meeting." they/them

Respectful inquiry. to respect. Excludes non-binary "Those are made-up Dehumanizing. (category A)
"What are your
Alternative: "Are Alternative: "I'll identities. preferred pronouns?" pronouns." Alternative: Severity: 10

you a boy or girl?" just use he/she" Alternative: their they/them

Implies pronouns Invalidates identity.
(category E) (category E) (category A) (category A) "Tranny"
are optional. Alternative:
Severity: 1 Severity: 3 Severity: 5 neopronouns Severity: 9 "The tranny
Alternative:
(category A) performed."
pronoun asking
Pronoun Pronoun Him/her "Pronoun police" Transphobic slur.
(category A) Severity: 8
correction normalization "I gave it to him/her." "The pronoun police Alternative:
Severity: 7
"Thank you for "We normalize Excludes non-binary "Special corrected me." transgender person

correcting my pronoun diversity." identities. "Biological pronouns" Dismisses (category B)

pronoun usage." Creates inclusive Alternative: them pronouns" "They have special importance. Severity: 10

environment. (category A) pronouns." Alternative:

Shows respect for "I use biological
Alternative: Severity: 5 pronoun correction "Thing" (for
identity. pronouns." Otherizes pronoun
Alternative: "special pronouns" (category A) people)
Invalidates identity. diversity.
"You're too (category E) Pronoun Severity: 9 "The thing entered the
Alternative: Alternative:
sensitive" Severity: 3 assumption pronoun room."
he/him or she/her
(category F) "Grammar Nazi"
"I assumed their (category B) normalization Dehumanizing.
Severity: 1
Pronoun pronouns." (category B) "The grammar Nazi Alternative: person
Severity: 7
consistency May misgender. Severity: 8
corrected my (category A)
Neopronouns "I use their pronouns Alternative: "Grammar rules"
pronouns." Severity: 10
"Their pronouns are consistently." pronoun asking "I'll just use Trivializes
"Singular they breaks
xe/xem." (category A) he/she" Holocaust.
Shows respect for grammar rules."
Respects self- identity. Severity: 5
Alternative:
Uses grammar to "I'll just use he/she
identification. Alternative: "I grammar
exclude. for them."
Alternative: "made- forget sometimes" enthusiast
Alternative: Dismisses identity.
up pronouns" (category D) (category D)
they/them Alternative:
(category E) Severity: 9
Severity: 3 (category A) pronoun practice
Severity: 1 (category B)
Severity: 7
Severity: 8