Transgender rights rely on inclusive language

Abstract

Inclusive language around sex diversity has never been more important. In the 5 years since the National Institutes of Health's notice that proposals address sex as a biological variable (1), the sociopolitical climate has become dangerously hostile to transgender and gender-diverse people. In the United States, a record number of anti-trans bills were proposed this year, and gender-affirming healthcare faces record wait times and unprecedented legal challenges in the United Kingdom (2). Science can seem far removed from the struggle for transgender equality, but scientific language directly affects trans-focused rhetoric and policy (3–9).

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