Johns Hopkins University has come under fire for “erasing women” in an updated definition of the word “lesbian” in an online glossary for LGBTQ+.
Johns Hopkins University Changes Lesbian Definition, Drops “L” in LGBTQ
Johns Hopkins University recently updated the “LGBTQ Glossary” in its so-called inclusive language guide with a new definition for “lesbian.”
Since then, the University has been slammed by critics, including “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling for switching up its definition of “lesbian” to instead refer to the group as “non-man attracted to non-men” to include non-binary people.
Many people have criticized the University’s decision to update the term while not extending the same terminology to “gay men,” still referred to as just “men.”
The glossary has since been removed, replacing it with a statement about the backlash and the need to define the LGBTQ community better.
“Upon becoming aware of the language in question, we have begun working to determine the origin and context of the glossary’s definitions,” officials wrote. “We have removed the page from our website while we gather more information.
Lesbians Are Being Redefined
Screenshots of the glossary before it was taken down showed that the university defined the word “lesbian” as a “non-man attracted to non-men.”
It added that while past definitions have referred to lesbians as women sexually attracted to other women, the “updated definition” is intended to include nonbinary people who may identify with the label.
“The LGBTQ Glossary serves as an introduction to the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQ communities, and is not intended to serve as the definitive answers as to how all people understand or use these terms,” Megan Christin, the university’s director of strategic communications, said in a statement Wednesday.
“While the glossary is a resource posted on the website of the Johns Hopkins University Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), the definitions were not reviewed or approved by ODI leadership and the language in question has been removed pending review.”
Are “Real Women” Being Erased?
Former tennis star Martina Navratilova spoke out about the changes.
Nikii Haley also commented and shared how she feels.
The university’s glossary represents the latest skirmish in an ongoing battle over the integration of gender-neutral language, as more people around the world neither identify as male nor female.
A new national poll from Public Religion Research Institute, a nonpartisan research group, found that 65% of all Americans believe there are only two gender identities — male and female.
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