Gender identity and sexual orientation

Last updated: July 11, 2025

Waterloo recognizes the diverse voices and experiences of Two-Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (2SLGBTQIA+) students, faculty and staff. We celebrate and acknowledge their significant contributions and vital roles within the campus community and their advocacy for resources and practices that create a more inclusive campus.

Principles and conventions to consider when writing or reporting on gender identity and sexual orientation:

  • Language is powerful and can often create or perpetuate barriers. Our goal when following style and terminology guidelines is to be respectful and accurate, while being community informed and aware of the invisible barriers and oppression that 2SLGBTQIA+ community faces.
  • Respect and use an individual's self-declared pronouns.
  • Always prioritize the terms that individuals or communities use to describe themselves.
  • It is always best to ask how someone identifies themselves, and how they would like to be identified. In the same way, you might introduce yourself with your name and then ask for someone else's name, you can do so with pronouns.
    • Example: “My name is Erika, and I use the pronouns they and them. I don't want to misgender you, can you let me know what your names and pronouns are?"

Terminology and key concepts

Please note that this list is non-exhaustive. The following list helps promote awareness and understanding of respectful language around gender identity and sexual orientation. 

Resources