gender neutrality
Beyond male-female distinctions
Gender neutrality is the practice of avoiding distinctions based on gender, particularly in language, policy, or design.
Gender-neutral language replaces gendered terms with inclusive alternatives: firefighter instead of fireman, they instead of he or she.
Gender-neutral policies treat people the same regardless of gender: gender-neutral bathrooms, gender-neutral dress codes.
The concept extends to products, spaces, and social practices that don't assume or enforce traditional gender categories.
Suitable for any gender
- coedIncluding both sexes
- coeducationalEducating all genders together
- sharedHeld in common
- universalAffecting all equally
accessible · sizing · uniform
Outside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
- non-binaryGender outside two categories
- enbyNonbinary person, casually
- epiceneOf indeterminate gender
two-spirit · androgynous · demiboy · demigirl · intersex
Advocacy for sex equality
- egalitarianismPhilosophy of universal equality
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- intersectionalityInterconnected identity-based discrimination study
- activismDirect effort for reform
empowerment · equity · fairness · reform · awareness · progressivism · liberation · destigmatization
Gender-neutral singular pronouns
- neopronounsNewly created personal pronouns
- singular theyPronoun without gender assumption
- inclusive languagePhrasing avoiding marginalization
- humanistEthics-focused secular philosopher
Latinx · spokesperson · firefighter · chairperson · flight attendant · server
Unbiased chance for all
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
- Title IXFederal educational equity law
- equal payMatching compensation regardless of identity
- parental leaveJob-protected time for newborns
pay equity · affirmative action · workplace equality · civil rights · human rights · quota · diversity hiring
unisex
Suitable for any gender
- coedIncluding both sexes
- coeducationalEducating all genders together
- sharedHeld in common
universal · accessible · sizing · uniform
genderqueer
Outside the two-category system
- genderfluidVariable gender identity
- non-binaryGender outside two categories
- enbyNonbinary person, casually
epicene · two-spirit · androgynous · demiboy · demigirl · intersex
feminism
Advocacy for sex equality
- egalitarianismPhilosophy of universal equality
- social justiceFair distribution of opportunities
- intersectionalityInterconnected identity-based discrimination study
activism · empowerment · equity · fairness · reform · awareness · progressivism · liberation · destigmatization · allyship
they/them
Gender-neutral singular pronouns
- neopronounsNewly created personal pronouns
- singular theyPronoun without gender assumption
- inclusive languagePhrasing avoiding marginalization
humanist · Latinx · spokesperson · firefighter · chairperson · flight attendant · server
equal opportunity
Unbiased chance for all
- anti-discriminationOpposing unfair differential treatment
- Title IXFederal educational equity law
- equal payMatching compensation regardless of identity
parental leave · pay equity · affirmative action · workplace equality · civil rights · human rights · quota · diversity hiring
gender neutralitygender binary
Strict two-category sex classification
gender segregation · gendered · gender distinction · gender-specific · heteronormativity
gender neutralitycomplementarianism
Doctrine of gendered church roles
patriarchy · sexism · machismo · separate but equal · natural order
generous, neutral, gender, generation, generic, generate, cisgender, transgender, neutralize