Core principles of inclusive language
Be sure your words do not intentionally or accidentally exclude any groups
Pay attention to ways that you may have inadvertently implied that something you’ve said doesn’t apply to a group within our audience, or that a group is somehow lesser.
Avoid assumptions
Do not make assumptions about someone's gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or abilities.
Respect self-identification
Use the terms and pronouns that individuals use to describe themselves. There may not always be universal consensus. Learn how groups in Minnesota prefer to self-identify.
Be culturally sensitive
Be aware of cultural differences and avoid language that may be insensitive or offensive to different cultural groups.
Use person-first language
Put the person before the characteristic. For example, say "person with a disability" instead of "disabled person." In other words, be descriptive instead of using labels.
Don’t assume cultural defaults
People often unconsciously assume that there’s a default way to be a person, and then let their language reflect that.
Describe a person or group at the appropriate level of specificity
To avoid objectification, identify a group or an individual as a member of a group only when it is relevant to your message.