S for Sex is used as a biological category for filling in forms as male or female or other and is confused with gender identity. Understanding gender identity as a social and cultural construction is my journey towards a sense…

R is for rainbow where the seven colours of light travel through the wavelengths of choice and acceptance of ourselves and others. R for rainbow is an icon of LBGTQI+ and diversity. R for rationale can be abused when rational…

Queer originally meant someone or something a bit strange and different from the mainstream and was used as a put-down for gays. In the 1980’s queer moved from being a term of abuse to being a statement of  rebellion against…

P for patriarchal power paves the way for inequailty and exploitation across sex, class, creed, and culture. Patriarchal power distorted my identity, my activism, and my relationships. My weapon against our collaboration with patriarchy is active consciousness. Pillars of community…

O for Other. When we see someone as inferior to us or as someone we want to exclude, this has been described as “othering”  by thinkers and activists. Othering can be used to instil fear of other cultures, religions, ethnic…

N for non-binary is used to create a space where we are free to define our own gender without the polarisation of. I like the non-binary label as it creates common cause with all those who dislike the binary opposition…

M is for MYTHSs and the invisible MASKs we use to help us survive. JJ Bola’s Mask Off explores the masks of MASCULINITY from a non-Western perspective. I recommend it for anyone interested in gender. What does Ireland’s St. Brigid’s…

L is for lesbian –  the gender identity for women who are primarily attracted to women. L is also for love. How important is gender when you love someone? Do gender inequalities make love a battleground? Lesbian and Luchia: Luchia…

K for Kaleidoscope reminds us that how we perceive the diversity around us is important. Trends and fashion even in campaigns have icons and images which can become a battleground and distraction from our core purpose. In the 1980’s in…

J is for joy when we rejoice in the diversity of our humanity and learn more about ourselves from those who are different. J is for Jealousy hits me hard sometimes. Will my partner ever live with me? Nightingales save…