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As with good practices generally, any advice must be combined with a specific context and employ of good judgement in command to determine what is appropriate to a specific situation. This page is part of the broader #TransTerps campaign, and on this site you can discover out more about trainings, adj practices, and resources and policies for supporting trans folks on campus.

The University of Maryland, College Park has a Policy on Inclusive Language. This policy applies to university employees when representing the institution to the general (e.g. in official communications, publications representing the institution, etc.), but the principles of the policy can be useful in many contexts. The policy specifically requires avoiding terms and expressions that may reinforce inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender, among other things.

A few potentially inappropriate or outdated attitudes or assumptions about gender include:

• Assuming or implying that there are only two genders that exist and are valid.
• Using outdated and potenti
  
  

  Advice and Support for LGBT people

  Need Help?

  It’s important you get the help and back you need.

  If you need aid and advice on any issue, the following organisations are experienced in dealing with your concerns. Some of these organisations also provide counselling advice.

  Always remember, if you are ever in immediate danger you should always phone

  Equality and human rights issues

  Equality Advisory and Support Service (England, Scotland, Wales) offer free, confidential advice and support if you feel you have been discriminated against or if you perceive your human rights have been breached.

  Travel advice

  offers travel advice specifically for LGB&T people travelling abroad. Click here for noun or territory specific advice.

  Revenge Porn

  Revenge Porn Helpline provide free, confidential advice and support for all victims of revenge porn.

  Hate crime

  True Vision provide advice on abhor crime, how to report it, and where to get aid .

  also provides advice on how to report hate crime.

  Trans health

  NHS offers transgender health advice and support.

  The Tavistock
  

  International Travel

  Travelers can face unique challenges abroad based on their authentic or perceived sexual orientation. Laws and attitudes in some countries may affect safety and ease of travel. 

  More than 60 countries consider consensual same-sex relations a crime. In some of these countries, people who engage in consensual same-sex relations may deal with severe punishment. Many countries do not recognize same-sex marriage.

  Research your destination before you travel 

  Review the travel advisory and destination information page of the place you plan to visit. Check the Local Laws & Customs section.  This has information specific to travelers who may be targeted by discrimination or violence on the basis of sexual orientation.  

  Many countries only recognize male and female sex markers in passports. They do not have IT systems at ports of entry that can accept other sex markers, including valid U.S. passports with an X sex marker. If traveling with a valid U.S. passport with an X sex marker, check the immigration regulations for your destination as acceptance can v

  Pronouns & Inclusive Language

  Below is a brief overview of pronouns and inclusive language. This is by no means an exhaustive guide to treating trans people equitably. 

  What are pronouns?

  Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to people (, she/her/hers, he/him/his). We believe that it is important to give people the opportunity to state the pronoun that is correct to use when referring to them.

  Pronouns are integral to who we are, and we share pronouns because we want to evade assuming someone's pronouns based on factors like appearance. By sharing our own pronouns routinely, we inspire others to do the alike and demonstrate that we realize the importance of sharing pronouns. Using someone’s correct pronouns is an important way of affirming someone’s identity and is a fundamental step in being an ally.

  Common pronouns include she/her/hers, he/him/his, and they/them/theirs. There are other nonbinary pronouns. It is important to ask people what their pronouns are. If you have questions, politely ask the person if they feel comfortable givin