As part of our NuVasive Diversity and Inclusion strategy, we are hosting our first-ever virtual Pride event today! These past few weeks leading up to the event, we have taken time to educate ourselves about the LGBTQ+ community, how to create an inclusive workplace, and what it means to be an ally. We remain committed to listen and learn—now and into the future. Learn more about LGBTQ+ terminology and how language matters below.
- Gender non-conforming – A broad term referring to people who do not behave in a way that conforms to the traditional expectations of their gender, or whose gender expression does not fit neatly into a category.
- Sexual orientation – An inherent or immutable enduring emotional, romantic or sexual attraction to other people.
- Gender identity – One’s innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither – how individuals perceive themselves and what they call themselves. One’s gender identity can be the same or different from their sex assigned at birth.
- Cisgender – A term used to describe a person whose gender identity aligns with those typically associated with the sex assigned to them at birth.
- Transgender – An umbrella term for people whose gender identity and/or expression is different from cultural expectations based on the sex they were assigned at birth. Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation. Therefore, transgender people may identify as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, etc.
- Gender-fluid – A person who does not identify with a single fixed gender; of or relating to a person having or expressing a fluid or unfixed gender identity.
- Gender expression – External appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, haircut or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.
- Heteronormativity – Heteronormativity is the belief that people fall into distinct and complementary genders (man and woman) with natural roles in life. It asserts that heterosexuality is the only sexual orientation or only norm, and states that sexual and marital relations are most (or only) fitting between people of opposite sexes. A “heteronormative” view is one that involves alignment of biological sex, sexuality, gender identity and gender roles.
Learn more ways to be a better ally here.
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