#WriteInclusion Factsheets
Expanded glossary of terms
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Lesbian
Women who are only or predominantly sexually, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to other women, and girls who are attracted to other girls. This includes all women and girls: transgender, intersex, and cisgender. Some non-binary people who are predominantly attracted to women also identify as lesbians. “Lesbian” is a sexual orientation, an embodied part of a person’s identity, no matter their relationship status or sexual/romantic experience.
Women who are only or predominantly sexually, romantically, and/or emotionally attracted to other women, and girls who are attracted to other girls. This includes all women and girls: transgender, intersex, and cisgender. Some non-binary people who are predominantly attracted to women also identify as lesbians. “Lesbian” is a sexual orientation, an embodied part of a person’s identity, no matter their relationship status or sexual/romantic experience.
Limb Difference
There are two main types of limb difference: congenital and acquired. Congenital limb difference is also referred to as "limb reduction" or "congenital amputation" and occurs when someone is born missing all or part of their upper and/or lower limbs. Acquired limb difference is also known as "amputation" and occurs when someone has a limb removed for medical reasons, or accidentally due to trauma.
There are two main types of limb difference: congenital and acquired. Congenital limb difference is also referred to as "limb reduction" or "congenital amputation" and occurs when someone is born missing all or part of their upper and/or lower limbs. Acquired limb difference is also known as "amputation" and occurs when someone has a limb removed for medical reasons, or accidentally due to trauma.
Long-Term Care
A number of services that meet the medical and non-medical needs of older adults (as well as others with chronic illness or disability), including but not limited to caretakers, long-term facilities (e.g., assisted-living homes and communities), home accessibility renovations (e.g., handrails and walk-in tubs), and physical and drug therapies. See here for key stats on long-term care in the U.S., and see here for more about caregivers.
A number of services that meet the medical and non-medical needs of older adults (as well as others with chronic illness or disability), including but not limited to caretakers, long-term facilities (e.g., assisted-living homes and communities), home accessibility renovations (e.g., handrails and walk-in tubs), and physical and drug therapies. See here for key stats on long-term care in the U.S., and see here for more about caregivers.
Macau
Considered a special administrative region of China but operates as an independent city-state with its own money, passport, and legal system. Until 1999, Macau was a Portugese colony. For more.
Considered a special administrative region of China but operates as an independent city-state with its own money, passport, and legal system. Until 1999, Macau was a Portugese colony. For more.
Māhū
In Native Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures, a “third gender” of people who embody both a male and female spirit. They are respected healers, caretakers, and teachers. Nearly erased by Christian colonizers in the 1800s, there has been a resurgence among Native Hawaiians and Tahitians to reclaim the māhū identity and their cultural understandings of gender. Māhū gender expression is considered to be very fluid. Mahukane is a newly coined term of empowerment in Hawai’i, representing people assigned female at birth who have a masculine gender expression/identity; mahuwahine is another newly coined term of empowerment, representing people assigned male at birth who have a feminine gender expression/identity. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more.
In Native Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures, a “third gender” of people who embody both a male and female spirit. They are respected healers, caretakers, and teachers. Nearly erased by Christian colonizers in the 1800s, there has been a resurgence among Native Hawaiians and Tahitians to reclaim the māhū identity and their cultural understandings of gender. Māhū gender expression is considered to be very fluid. Mahukane is a newly coined term of empowerment in Hawai’i, representing people assigned female at birth who have a masculine gender expression/identity; mahuwahine is another newly coined term of empowerment, representing people assigned male at birth who have a feminine gender expression/identity. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with these identities may code-switch and call themselves trans women, trans men, or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more.
Mandated Reporter
A professional who the state requires to report suspected abuse or neglect of children, older adults, and/or disabled people to authorities (e.g., child welfare agencies, police). Who is considered a mandated reporter can vary state-to-state, but they typically include social workers, healthcare professionals, teachers, childcare providers, and law enforcement.
Mean Girls
A stereotype of girls and young women characterizing them as socially aggressive and unkind. These characters are usually “popular” or “cool” and resort to behaviors such as bullying or backstabbing, even among other characters they consider friends. These portrayals not only enforce the bad behavior, but they fail to address the larger social issues girls and women face like insecurity, lack of confidence, and pressure to fit the “feminine beauty ideal.”
A stereotype of girls and young women characterizing them as socially aggressive and unkind. These characters are usually “popular” or “cool” and resort to behaviors such as bullying or backstabbing, even among other characters they consider friends. These portrayals not only enforce the bad behavior, but they fail to address the larger social issues girls and women face like insecurity, lack of confidence, and pressure to fit the “feminine beauty ideal.”
Medical Model vs. Social Model of Disability
The medical model is a belief long fallen out of favor with the disabled community. It’s the idea that disability might reduce quality of life and, therefore, it should be diminished or corrected through medical intervention. The social model holds that society’s attitudes, structure, and organization causes a disability rather than a person’s impairment or difference causing it (i.e. Someone who is deaf is disabled by a lack of accessible communication, like sign language and captions, rather than their ability to hear. Someone who uses a wheelchair for mobility is disabled by stairs or lack of sidewalks).
The medical model is a belief long fallen out of favor with the disabled community. It’s the idea that disability might reduce quality of life and, therefore, it should be diminished or corrected through medical intervention. The social model holds that society’s attitudes, structure, and organization causes a disability rather than a person’s impairment or difference causing it (i.e. Someone who is deaf is disabled by a lack of accessible communication, like sign language and captions, rather than their ability to hear. Someone who uses a wheelchair for mobility is disabled by stairs or lack of sidewalks).
Medicare
Medicare is a U.S. national health insurance program started in 1966 under the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is now administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It primarily provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older, but also for younger people with SSA-determined disability status, and people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease). In 2018, Medicare provided health insurance for 59.9+ million individuals — 52+ million people aged 65 and older and about 8 million younger people. Medicare covers about half of healthcare costs of those enrolled. See here for more Medicare details.
Medicare is a U.S. national health insurance program started in 1966 under the Social Security Administration (SSA), which is now administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It primarily provides health insurance for Americans aged 65 and older, but also for younger people with SSA-determined disability status, and people with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease).
In 2018, Medicare provided health insurance for 59.9+ million individuals — 52+ million people aged 65 and older and about 8 million younger people. Medicare covers about half of healthcare costs of those enrolled. See here for more Medicare details.
MENA (Middle East)
The term MENA (for Middle East and North Africa) recognizes differences between two sweepingly large regions. “Middle East” is a colonial designation, comprising a region stunning in its magnitude for diversity of cultures, languages and religions, ethnicities, and races. There are many variations on what the region includes, but it most commonly encompasses the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen, along with North African countries of Algeria, Egypt, Libya Morocco, and Tunisia. MENA ethnicities, languages, and religions: 50+ ethnic groups in the region, the largest being Arabs, Persians, and Turks. Others include Amazigh, Armenians, Druze, Greeks, Jews, Yazidis, etc. Within these ethnic groups, all races are represented. Arabic and Farsi are the most-spoken languages among 60+; there are multiple Arabic dialects, which vary country to country, city to city. The MENA region is also the birthplace of the three Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), and many other religions are also practiced.
The term MENA (for Middle East and North Africa) recognizes differences between two sweepingly large regions. “Middle East” is a colonial designation, comprising a region stunning in its magnitude for diversity of cultures, languages and religions, ethnicities, and races. There are many variations on what the region includes, but it most commonly encompasses the following countries: Afghanistan, Armenia, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen, along with North African countries of Algeria, Egypt, Libya Morocco, and Tunisia.
MENA ethnicities, languages, and religions: 50+ ethnic groups in the region, the largest being Arabs, Persians, and Turks. Others include Amazigh, Armenians, Druze, Greeks, Jews, Yazidis, etc. Within these ethnic groups, all races are represented. Arabic and Farsi are the most-spoken languages among 60+; there are multiple Arabic dialects, which vary country to country, city to city. The MENA region is also the birthplace of the three Abrahamic faiths (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism), and many other religions are also practiced.
Melanesia
A subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean made up of four independent countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands; as well as a number of islands, archipelagos, and atolls including Admiralty Islands, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, Western New Guinea, Aru Islands, New Caledonia, and Norfolk Island.
A subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean made up of four independent countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands; as well as a number of islands, archipelagos, and atolls including Admiralty Islands, Bougainville Island, New Guinea, Western New Guinea, Aru Islands, New Caledonia, and Norfolk Island.
Metis
An officially recognized “third gender” in Nepal with a long history in the Himalayan region. Metis are predominantly feminine-presenting people who were assigned male at birth. Even though their legal recognition on government documents is based solely on self-determination (setting a global precedent), metis people continue to face significant marginalization in Nepal. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more on metis identity, here is a personal account.
An officially recognized “third gender” in Nepal with a long history in the Himalayan region. Metis are predominantly feminine-presenting people who were assigned male at birth. Even though their legal recognition on government documents is based solely on self-determination (setting a global precedent), metis people continue to face significant marginalization in Nepal. Note: When living in another country or visiting other states that don't have the same cultural genders, people with this identity may code-switch and call themselves trans women or non-binary in order for their gender to be legible to others. For more on metis identity, here is a personal account.
Micronesia
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).
A subregion of Oceania in the western Pacific Ocean comprising thousands of islands, including Kiribati, Nauru, the Mariana Islands (e.g., Guam, Rota, Saipan, Tinian), the Republic of Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia (made up of 607 islands).
Migrant Worker
One who travels seasonally for temporary work. Not all are undocumented (and not all undocumented individuals are migrant workers). As the U.S. border has become militarized, many who once came seasonally now stay and live as undocumented immigrants.
One who travels seasonally for temporary work. Not all are undocumented (and not all undocumented individuals are migrant workers). As the U.S. border has become militarized, many who once came seasonally now stay and live as undocumented immigrants.
Military Family/MilFam: Military Family (MilFam or Mil-Fam)
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
The spouse, children, and extended family of service members who often move in accordance to their enlisted family's deployments.
Military Sexual Assault
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
Sexual assault in the military refers to sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority as well as instances in which the survivor is unable to consent. The definition of sexual assault is consistent with the term military sexual trauma (MST), which was coined by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Both the VA and Department of Defense (DoD) include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching within the category of sexual violence. While military sexual assault is often framed as a women’s issue, it impacts both men and women. See here and here.
Minority Stress
Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).
Chronically high levels of stress endured by members of stigmatized communities (e.g., BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, religious minorities, HIV+) caused by the prejudice, discrimination, and systemic oppression they face. This leads to a number of negative mental and physical health disparities among these groups (e.g., internalized racism, transphobia, homophobia; increased risk-taking behavior; anxiety; high blood pressure).
Misogynoir
Coined by the queer Black feminist Dr. Moya Bailey in 2010, the term blends concepts that combines “misogyny” (extreme hatred of women) and the French word for black, “noir.” Per Ms. Bailey, misogynoir is the anti-Black racist misogyny that Black women experience. As noted by the Blackburn Center, misogynoir comes in many forms in daily life, for instance 1) Black women are viewed as threatening or angry whenever they speak up for themselves, and 2) Maternal mortality rates for Black women are three times higher than for white women in the United States, with many attributing that to racial bias in the healthcare system.
Coined by the queer Black feminist Dr. Moya Bailey in 2010, the term blends concepts that combines “misogyny” (extreme hatred of women) and the French word for black, “noir.” Per Ms. Bailey, misogynoir is the anti-Black racist misogyny that Black women experience. As noted by the Blackburn Center, misogynoir comes in many forms in daily life, for instance 1) Black women are viewed as threatening or angry whenever they speak up for themselves, and 2) Maternal mortality rates for Black women are three times higher than for white women in the United States, with many attributing that to racial bias in the healthcare system.
Misogyny
Hatred, dislike, or distrust of women, girls, and femininity. This manifests in many ways, such as violence against women, violence against feminine men, rape culture, the devaluing of traditionally feminized work, jokes (e.g., “dumb blond,” “my wife is a nag,” rape jokes), etc.
Hatred, dislike, or distrust of women, girls, and femininity. This manifests in many ways, such as violence against women, violence against feminine men, rape culture, the devaluing of traditionally feminized work, jokes (e.g., “dumb blond,” “my wife is a nag,” rape jokes), etc.
Mixed-Status Family
When individuals within a family have different citizenship/immigration statuses.
When individuals within a family have different citizenship/immigration statuses.