Intersectional Terminology

Question 1

Ableism

Answer 1

Ableism is a systemic and structural form of oppression that stems from the attitude and belief that disabled people are inferior. It underpins individual discrimination and systemic barriers and inequities against people with disabilities. Ableist beliefs include the fear of becoming disabled, as well as the fear of disabled people. It engenders the erasure and invisibility of disabled people, which leads to inaccessible places, processes, and groups.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 2

2SLGBTQIA+

Answer 2

This acronym stands for: Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer (or Questioning), Intersex, Asexual. The plus sign (+) represents all the different, new and growing ways that people might identify with, as well as the ways that we continually expand our understanding of sexual and gender diversity.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 3

Disability

Answer 3

Disability is a complex phenomenon, reflecting an interaction between features of a person’s body and mind and features of the society in which they live. Because of its complexity, there is no single, harmonized “operational” definition of disability.

A disability can occur at any time in a person’s life; some people are born with a disability, while others develop a disability later in life. It can be permanent, temporary or episodic. Disability can be a sense of identity, community, and pride.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 4

Diversity

Answer 4

Differences in the social identities and lived experiences and perspectives of people that may include race, ethnicity, colour, ancestry, place of origin, political belief, religion, marital status, family status, physical disability, mental disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, class, and/or socio-economic situations

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 5

Equity / Equitable

Answer 5

Equity refers to achieving parity in policy, process and outcomes for historically, persistently, or systemically marginalized people and groups while accounting for diversity. It considers power, access, opportunities, treatment, impacts and outcomes, in three main areas: Representational equity, Resource equity, and Equity-mindedness.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 6

Representational equity

Answer 6

the proportional participation at all levels of an institution.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 7

Resource equity

Answer 7

The distribution of resources in order to close equity gaps

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 8

Equity-mindedness

Answer 8

The demonstration of an awareness of, and willingness to, address equity issues.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 9

Intersectionality

Answer 9

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity as they apply to a given individual or group. Intersectional identities create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.

Question 10

Marginalization/Marginalized

Answer 10

A social process by which individuals or groups are (intentionally or unintentionally) distanced from access to power and resources and constructed as insignificant, peripheral, or less valuable/privileged to a community or “mainstream” society. The term ‘minoritized’ is also used to connote the same meaning.

See “Equity and Inclusion Glossary of Terms.” UBC Equity & Inclusion Office, https://equity.ubc.ca/resources/equity-inclusion-glossary-of-terms/.