identity-first language
Recognizes a part or parts of a person’s identity such as their disability, ethnicity, race, religion, gender-identity, sexual-identity, some careers, causes, etc. It is preferred in many cases by self-advocacy groups and is the style of EAPM.
Identity-first language also recognizes a person’s name is the most essential part of their identity, and therefore strives to call people first and foremost by their names.
Other parts of their identity are written as such:
- disabled person
- autistic woman
- queer man
- Muslim imam
- Jewish student
- LGBTQ activist
- Black community leader
Identity-first language is not appropriate for things that are not part of someone’s identity such as a job; a criminal charge or incarceration status; a medical diagnosis (which is different from a disability or chronic illness); etc. In such cases, person-first language is appropriate.
If a source asks you to use person-first language instead of identity-first language, EAPM suggest respecting the preference of the source with respect to their own identity and to honor the source’s preference.
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