Pejorative Label: Negative, Derogatory, and Stigmatizing Terms
A pejorative label is a word used to describe a person, group, identity, or behavior in a negative, dismissive, insulting, or stigmatizing way.
Self-Descriptor: Identity Labels, Self-Identification, and Language
A self-descriptor is a word or label a person uses to describe their own identity, experiences, sexuality, gender, relationships, or other personally meaningful characteristics.
Stigmatizing Language: Words That Reinforce Sexual and Gender Stigma
Stigmatizing language uses words or framing that create shame, blame, prejudice, or social exclusion around sexuality, gender, health, behavior, or identity.
Clinical Register: Professional Language in Sexual Health and Care
Clinical register is the formal, precise, and neutral style of language used in healthcare to describe anatomy, symptoms, sexual health, behavior, and medical conditions.
Person-Centered Terminology: Respectful Language About Identity and Health
Person-centered terminology uses accurate, respectful language that recognizes a person as more than a diagnosis, disability, sexual behavior, gender characteristic, or health condition.
Respectful Terminology: Accurate, Inclusive, and Non-Stigmatizing Language
Respectful terminology uses accurate and considerate words for people, identities, bodies, health, relationships, and sexuality without unnecessary stigma or degrading assumptions.