Glossary of terms

Cisgender: Someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
Transgender: Someone whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth.
Non-binary: An umbrella term for gender identities that are not exclusively male or female.
Asexual / aromantic: Describing individuals who experience little or no sexual/romantic attraction.
Neurodivergent: Encompassing (but not limited to) Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
BAME (and its critiques) / global majority: The term "Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic," is common usage in the UK. Alongside it is the growing preference for "global majority" to more accurately reflect demographics and agency.
Disability (social model vs medical model): Differentiating between viewing disability as an individual's impairment (medical model) versus barriers created by society (social model). Open SU supports the social model of disability, which sees it as society's responsibility to remove barriers, rather than expecting the individual to adapt or change. Open SU believes society should be inclusive of all communities, rather than viewing disability as something to be "fixed" in the individual.
Intersectionality: Understanding how various social and political identities combine to create unique modes of discrimination and privilege.

Microaggressions: Subtle, expressions of prejudice that convey hostile or negative messages to marginalised groups.
Systemic racism: How policies and practices in institutions, such as universities, create and perpetuate racial inequality.
Implicit bias: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our understanding, actions, and decisions.
Cultural appropriation: The inappropriate adoption of customs, practices and ideas of individuals or societies, by members of another (and typically more privileged) community.
Gaslighting: Manipulative behaviour that makes someone question their own sanity or perception of reality, regarding their experiences with oppression and discrimination.
Intentional spaces: A safe space is an environment designed for comfort and security (safe space). A brave space are spaces which encourage difficult conversations and growth. We aim to provide both of these spaces within Open SU activities.