Use gender-neutral language

Use terms that recognise gender equality. Avoid terms that discriminate on the basis of a person’s gender or sexual identity.

Our use of language reflects changes in society. There is wide agreement about using language to support equality between all genders.

Pronoun choice

Learn the user’s pronoun. If it’s not clear and you can’t ask them, choose gender-neutral pronouns.

The singular ‘they’ is gender-neutral. It avoids specifying a person’s gender.

You can use ‘they’ or ‘them’ when you would otherwise use a singular personal pronoun such as:

• ‘he’
• ‘she’
• ‘him’
• ‘her’.

You can also use ‘themselves’ or ‘themself’ instead of ‘himself’ or ‘herself’. ‘Themself’ is an extension of using ‘they’ for a single person.

The use of gender-neutral pronouns to refer to a person of unknown gender has a long history. Usage now covers people who either:

• don’t wish to identify as a particular gender
• identify as non-binary or gender-fluid.

There are many ways to avoid using gender-specific pronouns.

Avoid gender-specific job titles

Avoid using job titles that end in ‘-man’ or ‘-woman’.

Avoid using the traditional terms for jobs that end in ‘-man’.

You should also avoid job terms that specify women.

Gender is not relevant to a person’s profession or title in general. Use gender-specific adjectives only when gender is relevant. For example, an economic analysis might discuss ‘female-dominated’ or ‘male-dominated’ industries.

Titles ‘Ms’ and ‘Mx’

‘Ms’ is now widely used instead of ‘Mrs’ or ‘Miss’. It does not disclose marital status.

‘Mx’ refers to non-binary people and those who do not wish to be referred to by their gender. Use ‘Mx’ when a person indicates this is what they prefer, but not otherwise.

Forms and surveys can ask for people to specify gender. Don’t ask for a title or gender identity unless the form is designed to collect this information. For example, a form can ask for a person’s given and family name. It does not need to ask for their preferred title.

Check for changes in language use

Take care in areas where language is changing. Follow the rule that people have the right to identify their sexual orientation and gender identity as they choose.

The discussion is still evolving about words for other aspects of gender and sexual diversity.

Gender and sexual diversity terms

It can help to know the meanings of words people use about gender and sexual diversity. This includes sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics.

• ‘Gender’ is about social and cultural differences and identity. ‘Gender’ and ‘sex’ both mean ‘the state of being male or female’ but are often used in different ways.
• ‘Gender expression’ is the way a person expresses their gender.
• ‘Gender identity’ is about who a person feels themself to be. It refers to the way a person identifies or expresses their masculine or feminine traits.
• ‘Gender-queer’ and ‘non-binary’ refer to people who don’t identify as either male or female. They may identify as both or neither. ‘Gender-fluid’ refers to people who do not identify with a fixed gender.
• ‘Intersex’ refers to people with innate genetic, hormonal or physical sex characteristics that do not conform to medical norms for female or male bodies.
• ‘Sex’ refers to the legal status that was initially determined by sex characteristics observed at birth.
• ‘Sex characteristics’ are a person’s physical sex features, such as their chromosomes, hormones and reproductive organs.
• ‘Sexual orientation’ is a person’s romantic or sexual attraction to another person, such as heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual.
• ‘Sexuality’ includes biological sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and reproduction.
• ‘Transgender’ means people whose gender identity is different from that given to them at birth.

These are not the only ways to use these words. The definitions highlight some of the main points and distinctions. For more advice on these terms, go to:

• the Human Rights Commission
• the Australian Institute of Family Studies
• Intersex Human Rights Australia.

LGBTI and LGBTIQ+ communities

The term LGBT arose in the 1990s to refer to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The term has since expanded to LGBTI, to include intersex people. LGBTI is now widely accepted and used.

Recently, the term has expanded again to LGBTIQ, LGBTIQ+ or LGBTIQA+. The ‘Q’ refers to the queer community or to people questioning their gender identity. The ‘A’ refers to asexual people. The newer terms are used less frequently. The use of ‘+’ represents other sexual identities.

Australian Government agencies use both LGBTI and LGBTIQ+.

‘SOGIESC’ is a term writers use when discussing law and policy. It refers to ‘sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics’. This term replaces the earlier term ‘SOGII’. It referred to ‘sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex’ issues.