Everyone is welcome at EBP Studio. Saying that is one thing, actually spreading it is another thing. Acceptance, respect and inclusiveness of the queer community go beyond knowing what genders and forms of sexuality exist. It's about actively creating a safe place. About education, inclusive language and infrastructure.
With that in mind, it's important to consider what queer actually means. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, queer refers to people whose sexual or gender identity does not fit into, or challenges, traditional (often heteronormative) ideas about sexuality and gender. It is a term that is used both personally and collectively. The LGBTQIA+ Wiki describes queer as a label for people who are not exclusively heterosexual, for people who use it in relation to their gender identity or expression, or for whom other labels feel too restrictive or confusing. For many people, it actually offers space, because identity is not always fixed.
Sexuality and Gender Identity
Within the queer community, there are different sexual orientations. Heterosexual means being attracted to a different gender, homosexual to the same gender. Lesbian is used by women and non-binary people who are attracted to women. Bisexual means attraction to two or more genders, often the two binary genders. Pansexual is about attraction to people regardless of gender. Asexual people experience little or no sexual attraction, while demisexual people only feel it when there is a strong emotional connection. Polysexual means being attracted to several but not all genders. None of these terms is better or clearer than another; they give words to different experiences.
To deal with this carefully, it helps to distinguish between gender, gender identity and gender expression. Sex is about biological characteristics, such as chromosomes, hormones, and sexual characteristics. Gender identity is how someone experiences themselves, for example as a man, woman, non-binary, or something outside the box. Gender expression is about how someone presents themselves to the outside world, through clothing, behavior, and style. Non-binary people do not fit into the traditional division of men and women. Among trans men and trans women, the gender identity does not match the gender assigned at birth. Genderfluid people don't always experience their gender the same, and more agender-minded people don't feel connected to a gender.
Of course, this is only a brief description of the different forms of sexuality and gender. Words and definitions can help, but they never tell the whole story. If you really want to understand how someone experiences, experiences and shapes their, their, their or their identity, you will have to start the conversation. This requires openness, curiosity and the willingness to listen without judgment. It is precisely this attitude that makes a conversation safe and gives space to someone's own story.
Inclusive language
Language plays a major role in this. Pronouns are an important part of this. In addition to he/him and she/her, many people use gender-neutral pronouns such as them or they/them. Some use multiple pronouns, such as he/they. By asking about someone's pronouns, or by sharing your pronouns yourself, you show that there is room for everyone's identity. It also helps to consciously choose gender-neutral words in communication, such as “hey everyone”, “lovely people” or “dear reader”.
Inclusion often lies in small, daily choices. Use someone's name and put the person first. Say “a person with a disability” instead of “a disabled person”. Words like male and female are strongly binary; terms like masculine and feminine leave more room for nuance. Also consider how language can hurt. Statements like “that's really so gay” may seem harmless, but reinforce stereotypes and hurt more than is often realized. It's good to ask yourself what you actually mean by that.
What to do if you make a mistake
Making mistakes is part of it. Misgendering or deadnaming (using someone's old name) can happen, but how you deal with it makes all the difference. Admit it, correct yourself, and possibly apologize. Don't make a big deal out of it, but take responsibility for doing better next time.
Discrimination is still a daily reality for many queer people. When you see it happening, you can support, stop or de-escalate the situation, report what's happening and record what you've seen. By actively contributing to education, inclusive language and a safe infrastructure, together we contribute to an environment where everyone feels welcome and seen. Not just in words, but also in actions.
.jpg)
.jpg)
