As part of its commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Australian Sailing has recently developed an Inclusive Language Guide for clubs, associations, members, and participants in partnership with Pride in Sport. The guide provides information on some of the steps we can all take in order to show respect to individual identities. 

Language plays a huge part in the ways in which we are all included, recognised, and feel belonging in a community. This guide highlights the importance of valuing everyone’s identity in the language that we use.
 

What is inclusive language? 

The language that we use in everyday conversations is constantly evolving. Some words that we might have used 50 years ago are no longer suitable when it comes to describing different people. Some terms disappear and resurface, while others are modified and redefined. It’s important that the language we use shifts alongside the progression of our understanding and knowledge of different groups of people that may not share our individual characteristics. 
 

Why do I need to know about inclusive language?

Inclusive language is vocabulary that we can include into our everyday thoughts and conversations, and when writing documents or policies. The aim of inclusive language is to honour and respect everyone’s experiences, values, and individuality.

Inclusive language requires us to challenge our own stereotypes and prejudice towards different groups of people in our society and aids us to unlearn negative habits that are ingrained in us from a young age. Using inclusive language aims to respect individuals with protected characteristics, as defined in Australian law. (This includes age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

By normalising inclusive language, we aim to remove the barriers for groups of people who are often marginalised in our society by promoting unity that radiates equity and inclusion. We also aim to remove outdated terms that are deemed to cause offense and discriminate against valued members of our sailing community.
 

Allyship 

Using and promoting inclusive language, as well as educating ourselves on ways that we can be more inclusive towards other people with protected characteristics is one step towards participating in Allyship. Being an ally means that you actively support the rights of minority and marginalised groups of people without being a member of that group yourself. 

Stumbling across our words and making mistakes is all a part of how we learn. It’s ok to say the wrong thing and then correct yourself and it’s ok to ask what the right way of saying something is.
 

The Inclusive Language guide provides tips and links to further resources. It has been adapted from the RYA Inclusive Language Guidance: Modern Day Manners guide by Australian Sailing in collaboration with Pride in Sport and advice from Sailability Victoria. The guidance is intended to be used in a dictionary style, to navigate to the areas that you want to learn more about - you don’t need to read it all in one go!

“Australian Sailing has been a member of Pride in Sport for the past year and has made significant progress towards developing a culture which accepts, includes and celebrates the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender participants/ members, coaches, officials and instructors” said Pride in Sport National Program Manager Beau Newell.

“In addition to members, coaches / instructors and officials with diverse genders and sexualities, this practical guide includes information about age, ability, culture, socioeconomic status and relationships. This is an impressive demonstration of Australian Sailing’s commitment to inclusion.” 
 

To find out more and to receive a copy of the Inclusive Language Guidance, click here.

There is also a poster that you can download and use at your club or organisation. It includes the following tips when talking to a person. Click here to get the poster.
 

Some top tips for inclusive language

1. Avoid using acronyms or subject specific terms when you speak, if you do make sure you explain what they mean.
2. Listen to the language of how people describe themselves and be sure to follow suit.
3. When you are talking to, or about a person stick to gender neutral terms like ‘they’ or ‘them’ (unless you know their pronouns they like to use).
4. Put the person first – unless they tell you otherwise - ‘a person who is …’
5. Recognize its ok to get things wrong. We all make mistakes – apologise -correct yourself and move on. 
6. If you‘re not sure ASK! 

For more information and resources go to the Diversity and Inclusion hub on the Australian Sailing website.