How to write for diversity and inclusion

Using language that includes the LGBTIQ+ community

The words we use are powerful. They shape thoughts and actions, opinions and discussions, societies and revolutions.

The words others use to describe us can have a profound impact on how we’re perceived and how we perceive ourselves.

Likewise, when someone uses words that inherently ignore or erase our experience—even when that’s not their intention—the impact is significant. It leaves us feeling isolated, and excluded from the discussion.

Whether you’re aware of it or not, there are queer folk in your audience, just like there are in every other facet of our lives and communities.

Writing for inclusion isn’t about impinging on anyone’s freedom of speech or even ‘political correctness.’ It’s about choosing words that don’t alienate or erase whole groups of people.

The six tips below provide you with guideposts to keep you on track as you make your writing more inclusive.

Sex, gender and sexual orientation are all different—make sure you’re not using them interchangeably.

Careful you’re not incorrectly lumping them all together or using one when you mean another. Sex (female, male, intersex) refers to biological characteristics, while gender (woman, man, non-binary, agender etc.) refers to an internal sense of identity. 

A person’s gender does not necessarily mean they have certain sex characteristics or a particular sexual orientation. If you’re not sure of the differences, check the inclusive language guide of a reputable source like this one.

It’s time to retire ‘he or she’ and embrace ‘they.’

As a society, we’re getting better at understanding that gender is (and always has been) more diverse than just ‘he’ or ‘she’. Our use of the English language should reflect this.

If we default to using the pronoun ‘they’ instead, we don’t run the risk of misgendering or excluding anyone. Plus we get to farewell the messiness of ‘he or she’, ‘s/he’ and other clunky alternatives.

It’s okay if you feel uncomfortable using ‘they’, ‘them’ and ‘their’ in reference to a single person. After all, that’s not what we were taught about grammar in school. But we weren’t taught the word iPhone either and we picked that up pretty quickly! With practice, it becomes second nature.

Don’t assume your reader is heterosexual.

It’s easy to fall into the trap of using language that assumes our reader is straight (this is called heteronormativity). But when we do, we unwittingly perpetuate the pain and erasure of the queer folk in our audience.

Copy that relies on heteronormativity and traditional gender roles slows social progress for all of us. Not only that, it tells many members of your audience that the values of your organisation aren’t progressive enough to align with theirs.

As humans, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, there’s so much more that connects us than separates us. Instead of gendered ploys,  challenge yourself to be a better writer. Connect with your audience by speaking to their needs and emotions. Draw them in by speaking to the problem you solve.

Avoid stereotypes, even when they seem positive.

A stereotype is an over-generalised belief about all members of a certain group. It’s easy to see the damage done by negative stereotypes, but even stereotypes that sound like a compliment can cause harm.

Assuming all gay men are well dressed or all lesbians are good at sport is just another way of perpetuating the idea that people with those orientations are significantly different from straight people, which simply isn’t the case.

Terminology is constantly evolving.

Like the humans who use it, language is always growing and changing. As copywriters, it’s our job to keep up. Follow queer community leaders on social media. Notice what words they use and how they use them. 

Also keep in mind that people may have differing opinions on the same word. While the term ‘queer’ has been reclaimed by younger generations and serves as a useful umbrella term for the community as a whole, there are still some members of older generations who consider it a slur.

Similarly, while one person might consider the word bisexual to be problematic because they believe it perpetuates the gender binary, another might identify strongly with it and have a lifelong connection to the word.

Like any other topic you write about, make sure you do your research. And if you’re writing about a specific person, use the terms (and the pronouns) they use to describe themselves.

We all make mistakes. Apologise and keep learning.

It’s natural to feel defensive when someone tells us we’ve done something wrong. But the truth is we all make mistakes sometimes. The best thing you can do is apologise and keep learning.

Regardless of the tone the feedback is delivered in, treat this as an opportunity for growth.

Don’t let fear of saying the wrong thing stop you from saying anything at all. Better to be an imperfect ally than a silent one.

Written by Emma Bear, a queer copywriter who has been writing and consuming queer media for over a decade.