Washington State Glossary for Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces
Welcome to the 4th version of the Glossary for Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces, previously known as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging glossary!
The intent of this glossary is to provide state employees with a compilation of equity-related terms and their meanings. When we have a shared vocabulary and agree on the meaning of the words we use, we are better able to collaborate across departments, teams, and the communities that we serve.
Words carry meaning, power, and impact. It is important that we understand the meanings, recognize the power, and demonstrate reflection, continual learning, and accountability for the impact of the words we use in Washington State government. It is also important to understand that the human beings who are educating us about these terms are living the identities and experiences described in this glossary.
Because people are continually evolving, the words we use to describe them need to evolve as well. This resource is meant to support the work of improving access, advancing equity, and eliminating systemic racism and other forms of oppression from the work we do. This is not meant to serve as a primary resource in any specialized area such as law, medicine, or academia.
Thank you to the Washington State Business Resource Groups, the Washington State DEI Council Glossary Workgroup, The Department of Health, Department of Enterprise Services, Office of Equity, OFM Communications for your hard work and dedication to this body of work. The work that was poured into this version will directly impact those who experience disparities, exclusion, and systemic oppression in the workplace. Thanks to your vital contribution to this work our state will have a practical resource guiding us to maintain a growth mindset while affirming and embodying diversity, equity, inclusion, antiracism, and belonging every step of the way.
You may request a Glossary Edit if you would like a term added to or a definition edited in this glossary. Please note that the review committee meets quarterly to review these submissions and is committed to the shared-power process, so these edits make take several months to research and to respond to.
Term |
Definition |
|---|---|
| Targeted Universalism |
An approach that combines universal goals with targeted processes to achieve those goals. It aims to improve outcomes for marginalized communities while recognizing that we are all part of the same social fabric |
| Tokenism |
The practice of making only a perfunctory or symbolic effort to do a particular thing. Examples of tokenism include but aren’t limited to: Asking a person of color to be on a hiring panel for the appearance of diverse perspectives without them actually having a connection to the position or voice in the decisions related to the hiring process; Asking a community member to join a meeting to give input without using their input, while still talking about how that community was given representation. |
| Transphobia |
A term for fear, anger, intolerance, resentment, hatred, discomfort, or mistrust that one may have toward people who are transgender or gender non-conforming. The term can also connote a fear, disgust, or dislike of being perceived as transgender or gender non-conforming. |
| Treaties |
Legally binding agreements that define the relationship, rights, and obligations between the parties. Many Tribal nations have signed treaties with the U.S. government. These treaties often involve land exchanges, peace agreements, and the provision of services, and they recognize Tribal sovereignty in various contexts. However, it is crucial to recognize that not all Tribes have signed treaties, not all Tribes are federally recognized, and treaties have not been fully honored by federal and state governments. Regardless of the presence of a formal treaty, all Tribes hold inherent sovereignty and have unique relationships with the federal government. These relationships can also be shaped through agreements, executive orders, and other legal mechanisms that acknowledge Tribal sovereignty and outline cooperation in various areas, including land management, cultural preservation, and the provision of services. This deeper understanding respects the diverse histories and statuses of Tribal nations and underscores the importance of acknowledging each Tribe's inherent rights and sovereignty. |
| Tribal Consultation |
A foundational aspect of the government-to-government relationship requiring federal agencies to consult with Tribal governments on policies or actions that may affect them. This consultation is intended to be meaningful and requires timely, informed discussions that respect Tribal sovereignty and decision-making processes. |
| Tribal Sovereignty |
Concept recognizing that Tribal nations are sovereign entities with the inherent authority to govern themselves. This sovereignty predates the existence of the federal government and is acknowledged through treaties, federal laws, judicial decisions, and the U.S. Constitution. |
| Two-Spirit |
A term sometimes used to describe Indigenous individuals who have a gender identity or gender expression that does not align with their sex assigned at birth or have a culturally distinct gender, apart from male or man and female or woman. See 2SLGBTQIA+27.
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