Elite Johns Hopkins University (JHU) eliminated the term “women” in its LGBTQ Glossary, in which a “lesbian” is now defined as a “non-man attracted to non-men,” even as a “gay man” is still defined as a “man who is emotionally, romantically, sexually, affectionately, or relationally attracted to other men.”
The glossary, found on the “Diversity & Inclusion” website’s page titled “Gender & Sexuality Resources,” continues regarding the definition of the term “lesbian” that “[w]hile past definitions refer to ‘lesbian’ as a woman who is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to other women, this updated definition includes non-binary people who may also identify with the label.”
On Monday, in its report about the new glossary that led with the headline, “Trust the science?” the Daily Mail noted the university is “renowned for its excellence in education and research, particularly in the field of medicine but falls short using basic terminology related to gender.”
“The current definition of ‘lesbian’ in the Johns Hopkins glossary explicitly acknowledges such a shift from previous definitions aiming to be inclusive of non-binary individuals who identify as lesbian,” the report explained.
“Lesbians are now officially squirrels,” commented conservative author and host Ben Shapiro on Twitter.
Lesbians are now officially squirrels pic.twitter.com/wx3htjgPjt
— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) June 13, 2023
The “resource” suggests “the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQIA+ communities” is limitless. Readers are advised:
If you hear a term you don’t recognize, or feel like someone is using a term in a new way, ask the individual what the term means to them. This glossary is meant as an introduction to the community, and is not the definitive answer as to how everyone understands these terms.
The terms defined in the glossary include:
- Agender [gender identity]: Without gender. Often used as an identification for people who do not identify with or conform to any gender.
- Biphobia: Fear, aversion, or hatred of people who are bisexual, pansexual, omnisexual, or otherwise attracted to multiple genders.
Of particular note is that the university states a “belief that there are only two genders” is called “cissexism,” which is defined as a “prejudice,” and that the terms “gay” and “lesbian” are often viewed as “white terms” by black individuals:
- Cissexism: A belief that there are only two genders which are assigned at birth and immutable. This prejudice has been integrated into social systems and policies, which contributes to the discrimination and oppression of transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people.
- Same-Gender Loving (SGL): How some African Americans prefer to describe their sexual orientation, seeing “gay” and “lesbian” as primarily white terms. “Same-sex loving” is also in use.
The report at the Daily Mail observed that Paula M. Neira, M.S.N., the program director of LGBTQ+ Equity and Education at JHU’s Medicine Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity, and an assistant professor of plastic and reconstructive surgery, has approved of the new glossary that eliminates the term “women.”
Neira served as a U.S. Navy regular and reserve officer and, in 2015, became “the first transgender Navy veteran to have her discharge documentation updated to reflect her correct name by order of the Navy,” according to a bio on the school’s website.
The bio also hails Neira as a “leader in the repeal of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy,” and someone who “has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading experts on transgender military service.”
Neira, who is an attorney as well, also provides “education and outreach in support of the Johns Hopkins Center for Transgender Health,” the bio states.
The Daily Mail noted that “many feminists were particularly infuriated that the word ‘woman’ was vanquished” from the school’s LGBTQ glossary, “while their gay male counterparts were still referred to as ‘men.’”
The media outlet observed that JHU’s definition of “lesbian” differs from those of the Human Rights Campaign and the Anti-Defamation League, both of which still use the term “women” in their definitions of the term.
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Susan Berry, PhD, is national education editor at The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
