Gender Dominos

Language can be used to hurt and harm, as well as to convey solidarity. A part of being a good ally is in knowing and using terms that the LGBTQ communities themselves are using. At the Center we’ve developed an exercise to help us use a shared language that is respectful to the LGBTQ community.

Gender Dominos

Language can be used to hurt and harm, as well as to convey solidarity. A part of being a good ally is in knowing and using terms that the LGBTQ communities themselves are using. This is similar to when immigrant rights groups assert the use of the phrase “undocumented immigrant” as opposed to “Illegal alien.” For trans people, the use of language can be a powerful signifier to who they are, increase visibility and further trans equity.

At the Center we’ve developed an exercise to help us use a shared language that is respectful to the LGBTQ community. “Gender Dominos” is an activity that helps participants to gain a better understanding for the role of language in creating respect for everyone.

Download "Gender Dominos".

This tool is from our Uniting Communities: The Toolkit.

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In the Pacific Northwest, five organizations working in communities of color wanted to know more about how their members were dealing with reproductive justice issues such as domestic violence, child birth, culturally competent care, birth control and sexuality.

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