Equality and Diversity Terminology
Bisexual
A term which refers to women and men who are emotionally and/or sexually attracted to people of the same and opposite sex.
Black and Minority Ethnic
A phrase that is currently most commonly used by a number of external partners, community and equality organisations. The term BME also includes minority ethnic groups in England who are White (i.e. those recorded under any of the "White" groups other than "White British" such as Irish people or Travellers)
Discrimination
To be discriminated against means to be treated less favourably on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief and sexual orientation and includes discrimination. There are now four definitions of discrimination in law in Britain: direct, indirect, victimisation and harassment.
Disability
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995 defines disability as:
“a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day to day activities”.
A court will use this to decide whether or not an individual is covered by the Act. Staff and students who are likely to be covered includes:
- Blind or visually impairment (though where glasses are worn it is the effect whilst they are worn that is taken into account)
- Deaf or hearing impairment
- Wheelchairs users
- Mobility difficulties
- Mental health problems (with some exceptions, such as addiction to alcohol
- or non-prescribed drugs - see appendix 1 of the Code of Practice for more information)
- Dyslexia
- Hidden disabilities, such as: heart conditions, asthma, AIDS, cancer and diabetes.
Direct Discrimination
To treat someone less favourably than others because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation.
Indirect discrimination
This can take place where a criterion, provision or practice has an adverse impact disproportionately on one group or other. Indirect discrimination generally occurs when a rule or condition, which is applied equally to everyone, can be met by a considerably smaller proportion of people from a particular group, the rule is to their disadvantage, and it cannot be justified on other grounds.
Justification would be seen, if there is a legitimate aim (e.g. a real business need) and that the practice is proportionate to that aim (i.e. necessary, and there is no alternative means available).
Policies or procedures, which appear to treat everyone equally, may have the effect of disadvantaging certain groups disproportionately.
Harassment (See also: Harassment and Bullying Policy)
Bullying and harassment are behaviours which, if based on a person’s sexual orientation, are unlawful. Additionally, there are legal implications coming from Health and Safety legislation.
Any bullying and harassment may be a source of great distress to the recipient and the University has a legal ‘duty of care’ under Health and Safety legislation to protect its staff.
Harassment is unwanted conduct that violates a person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment
Victimisation
This would occur if someone is treated less favourably when they make or intend to make a complaint or allegation, have given or intend to give evidence in relation to a complaint of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
Victimisation applies if an employee is treated less favourably for taking action, or assisting someone else who has taken action.
Gay
Men who are emotionally and/or sexually attracted to other people of the same sex.
Gender
The sex of an individual female or male,. Gender is socially constructed, for example women often take more responsibility for childcare than men.
Heterosexism
Heterosexism is the belief that every individual is heterosexual and if they're not, they should be. Thus heterosexuality is regarded as natural and universal and the basis on which society is built, a template for all interpersonal and social relations and therefore, the “norm”. It acts to enforce heterosexuality, leaving no option other than to assume that heterosexuality is the only sexuality.
Heterosexual
Heterosexual is the term which refers to a man or woman who is emotionally and sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.
Homophobia
Homophobia describes the aggressive and fearful feelings and behaviour directed at lesbians, gay men and bisexual men and women. These can range from jokes, graffiti, insults and threats, to physical attacks.
Lesbian - a term which refers to women who are emotionally and/or sexually attracted to people of the same sex. (It should be noted that some women do not like the term lesbian, and prefer to describe themselves as gay.)
LGBT
is a commonly used abbreviation for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans community. The order of the abbreviation varies between organisations and practices.
Religion or Belief
The Employment Equality (Religion and Belief) Regulations 2003 define religion or belief as "any religion, religious belief or similar philosophical belief." This includes collective worship, a clear belief system and a profound belief affecting a way of life, or world view.
Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation is the legislative term in Britain used to describe how an individual chooses to identify their sexuality, that is, lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual. However, it is best practice to use the terms largely favoured by the community which are currently: lesbian, gay and bisexual.
Stereotype
A negative and generalised picture of a person, which is created without taking the whole person or their situation into account. This happens because we often make assumptions without basing our judgement on fact.
When we stereotype a group of people, we depict all of the individuals within that group as having the same characteristics.
This becomes translated into our everyday perceptions, where we view people and judge them by the stereotype, rather than viewing them as individuals. Using stereotypes can affect our lives and that of others as we translate this into how we act and interact towards each other.
Transgender
An umbrella term which includes transsexual people, those with gender dysphoria and transvestites (cross-dressers).
Transsexual person
Transsexual people have the deep conviction that their gender identity does not match their appearance and/or anatomy. (Believing oneself to be a man or a woman). This is recognised medically as gender dysphoria or gender identity disorder. The incongruity between identity and body can be so strong that individuals are driven to presenting themselves in the acquired (opposite)
gender.
Transvestite
The clinical name for a cross-dresser. A person who dresses in the clothing of the opposite sex. Generally, these people do not wish to alter their body.
Acknowledgements
The information has used a number of sources for the above definitions. It should be noted that the language of Equal Opportunities is constantly forming and taking new shape. Discussion with relevant community groups is important to ensure current usage.
Bristol City Council
Integrated Equality PolicyDisability Rights Commission
http://www.drc-gb.org/
Equality Challenge Unit and HEFCE
“Good Talking” The HE Communicators Equality and Diversity Toolkit, June 2004Felluga, Dino. "Terms Used by Theorists of Gender & Sex. "Introductory Guide to Critical Theory
http://www.purdue.edu/guidetotheory/narratology/terms/
Heterosexism Enquirer
www.mun.ca/theHuman Rights Campaign (USA) for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Equality
Mansell Lesley and Gough Darryl
“It Takes All Sorts” Leicester Housing Association, 1993Wikipedia - Online dictionary. For discussion on: heterosexism, heteronormative and history of homosexual.
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Disclaimer
This document is intended for information purposes only. The author does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information disclosed.
This may be reproduced with permission providing the source is acknowledged.
Author: Human Resources (LM) May 2007