Source
Sierra Club
About
The Sierra Club is the oldest and one of the largest grassroots environmental organizations in the United States, founded in 1892. In recent decades it has engaged publicly with the relationship between environmentalism and equity: including acknowledgment of its own founder John Muir’s documented racist views, and the 2021 Equity Language Guide was part of that broader internal reckoning.
The Equity Language Guide (2021) is an internal-facing communications resource that covers terminology across 17 topic areas, including ableism, ageism, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, immigrants and refugees, tribal sovereignty and public lands, and the organization’s own history on issues like immigration and conservation. It includes an explicit “On Our Opposition” section and a “Visual Imagery” chapter covering photo selection and tokenization.
The guide’s scope extends beyond environmental communications: much of its guidance on race, gender, disability, and immigration is general-purpose and usable across progressive communications work.
Access
The short URL and directly hosted 2021 PDF are no longer available. An earlier 2018 edition remains online.
The commons holds a private preservation copy for citation verification, so that quotes cited here stay verifiable even if the hosted PDF moves or is withdrawn. The full PDF is not publicly redistributed from this site. The Sierra Club holds copyright and has not granted reuse permission.
For reuse beyond fair-use citation, contact the Sierra Club directly via sierraclub.org/contact-us.
Works reviewed
Sierra Club Equity Language Guide
Reference copy heldVersion history
- 2021 editionCurrent canonical
Current canonical edition.
- 2018 edition
Earlier edition; predecessor to the 2021 guide. Still hosted on the Sierra Club site.
Terms citing this source
- AbleismUse
“Ableism is a way of thinking that values the lives, contributions, and perspectives of people living with disabilities less than those of people without disabilities. Ableism can show up in a number of ways — from outright employment discrimination to insensitive language use.”
: Ableism section, p. 3
- AccessibleUse
“Avoid using “handicapped” to describe locations or items designed to make a space more accessible. … Use the term “accessible” instead — “accessible parking” and “accessible bathroom stall”.”
: Disabilities section, tips on accessible spaces, p. 4
“Be sure to ask interview subjects and spokespeople how they prefer to be referred to, and note that these terms are not interchangeable, particularly for recent immigrants from African countries living in the U.S.”
: p. 12, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (Black and/or African American)
- AgeismUse
“Ageism shows up in our lives when we make assumptions about people based on their perceived or actual age. These kind of generalizations point both ways — older people often experience workplace discrimination, the most commonly understood form of ageism.”
: "Ageism" section, p. 5
- AgingUse with care
“Remember that identities intersect, and ageism impacts people differently on the basis of their gender. Women tend to face harsher social penalties for aging visibly; when writing about an older woman's identity, ask yourself if you would mention her age if she were male.”
: "Ageism" section, p. 5
- AlienAvoid
“Terms and Phrases to Avoid: alien, an illegal, anchor baby, ex-pat, failed asylum seeker, illegal alien, illegal asylum seeker, illegal immigrant, legal alien, legal citizen, legal resident, legalized, migrant, natural, naturalized, resident alien.”
: p. 9, Immigrants and Refugees → Terms and Phrases to Avoid
- American IndianUse with care
“When referring to a Tribal nation, we should refer to the specific nation (Dine, Cheyenne, Nooksack, etc.), not 'Tribes' generally. Though Native nations are often generalized in collective terminology (Native, Indigenous nations, Indigenous peoples, Native American, American Indian), it is best to refer specifically to the nation.”
: p. 16, Tribal Sovereignty and Public Lands → Tips on Writing About Tribal Nations
- ArabUse
“"Muslim" is not synonymous with Arab; African American Muslims are the largest Muslim population in the United States.”
: Religious and other terms, p. 13
- AsexualUse
“Terms like bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (an umbrella term for people who do not experience sexual attraction) are appropriate if requested or used by the person you are referring to.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 7
“Asian American/Pacific Islander, AAPI — Ideally refer to a more specific identity when that information is available.”
: p. 12, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (AAPI entry)
- AutismUse
“For example, some people prefer to identify as "an autistic person" rather than someone "with autism" because their autism is foundational to their sense of self. In all cases, ask people how they want to be identified, and remember that no community speaks with one voice.”
: Overall Recommendations, Use People-First Language, p. 1
- BIPOCUse with care
“A preferred term today is 'BIPOC' referring to Black, Indigenous and people of color … Using BIPOC as a catch-all for all racial identities aside from white risks erasing the very real differences in lived experience among people of different races, undermining the original purpose of the term.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → BIPOC entry
- BisexualUse with care
“Terms like bisexual, pansexual, and asexual (an umbrella term for people who do not experience sexual attraction) are appropriate if requested or used by the person you are referring to. LGBTQI stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex.”
: Gender and Sexuality, Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 18
- BlackUse
“Be sure to ask interview subjects and spokespeople how they prefer to be referred to, and note that these terms are not interchangeable, particularly for recent immigrants from African countries living in the U.S. The Sierra Club always capitalizes Black when referring to race or ethnicity.”
: p. 12, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (Black and/or African American)
- CisgenderUse
“Use the term 'cisgender' (rather than 'non-trans' or 'non-transgender') to refer to a person who is not transgender, if there is a need to refer to their gender. Cisgender means you identify with the gender you were assigned at birth.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 19
- ClassismUse
“Classism entails differential treatment of people based on social class or perceived social class, and oppression of members of certain social classes to the advantage of other class groups.”
: Classism and Wealth section, p. 6
- CrazyAvoid
“Instead of saying something is "crazy," just be more specific! Is it bizarre, unprecedented, or extremist? We should never use "crazy" or other terms about mental health to pejoratively refer to a specific person.”
: Ableism in everyday language section
- CrippleAvoid
“"Cripple" is another word that historically refers to a disability and is now considered a slur. Instead of saying someone or something is "crippled," try "held back." (Avoid "hamstrung" which is a reference to the horrific practice of mutilating a person or animal.)”
: Disability metaphors section, "crippled" entry
- DepressionUse with care
“Use "disheartening" or "sad" instead of "depressing" …”
: Word Choice list, p. 6
- DisabilityUse with care
“Practicing people-first language means recognizing that everyone is first and foremost a person, not their disability or other identity. … Sometimes individuals prefer “identity-first” language. … In all cases, ask people how they want to be identified …”
: Overall Recommendations, Use People-First Language, p. 1
- DisadvantagedAvoid
“Do not use descriptors or phrases including: Upper-class or lower-class … At-risk … The poor … In need, the needy … Wrong side of the tracks … Welfare queen/king … Disadvantaged … Underprivileged”
: Classism and Wealth → Tips for Writing About Class, "Do not use descriptors or phrases including"
- EthnicityUse
“Familiarize yourself with the key terms and concepts of race and ethnicity, and how categories that describe these can intersect ("white Argentine," "a person of mixed Choctaw and African American descent," Latinos who identify as "some other race").”
: p. 12, Preferred Terms for Racial Identity
- FelonAvoid
““formerly incarcerated person” or “people with loved ones in prison” are respectful terms, as opposed to reductive terms like “inmate” or “felon.” People-first language is a useful approach to take with many identity issues throughout this guide.”
: Overall Recommendations, “Use People-First Language”
- GayUse with care
“The Sierra Club uses 'LGBTQI' as a default term for people who identify as gay, transgender, bi, intersex, or queer. 'Gay' and 'queer' are also available to people as a self-description of their own community. Ask the person you are referring to how they would like to be described.”
: Gender and Sexuality, Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality
- HandicappedAvoid
“Avoid using "handicapped" to describe locations or items designed to make a space more accessible. … Use the term "accessible" instead — "accessible parking" and "accessible bathroom stall". …”
: Equity language guidance, accessibility section
- HispanicNon-preferred
“The Sierra Club defaults to 'Latino,' not 'Hispanic,' to describe people of Latin American heritage or descent. … 'Hispanic' refers to people who speak Spanish and/or are descended from Spanish-speaking populations, while 'Latino/a/x' refers to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (Latino entry)
- HomophobiaUse with care
“Never reduce queer identity to a punchline. Homophobia of this type is unfortunately common — for example, jokes about male politicians that rely on the implication that they have a sexual relationship.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 7
- Illegal AlienAvoid
“Terms and Phrases to Avoid: alien · an illegal · anchor baby · ex-pat · failed asylum seeker · illegal alien · illegal asylum seeker · illegal immigrant · legal alien · legal citizen · legal resident · legalized · migrant · natural, naturalized · resident alien”
: Immigration, "Terms and Phrases to Avoid" list
- Illegal ImmigrantAvoid
“Terms and Phrases to Avoid: alien, an illegal, anchor baby, ex-pat, failed asylum seeker, illegal alien, illegal asylum seeker, illegal immigrant, legal alien, legal citizen, legal resident, legalized, migrant, resident alien.”
: p. 9, Immigrants and Refugees → Terms and Phrases to Avoid
- ImmigrantUse
“Never use the term “illegal” to describe a person. If a person lacks legal permission to live or work in the U.S., you can refer to them as an “undocumented” immigrant or someone with a complex immigration status.”
: p. 8–9, Immigrants and Refugees → Tips for Writing About Immigrants and Refugees
- IndianUse with care
“the Sierra Club is not a Tribal organization and should default to using a more formal, respectful term like “Tribal” or “Native.” If someone wishes to be identified as “Indian,” we should refer to them as “self-identified” (e.g., self-identified Indian activist).”
: Indigenous Peoples → Slang terms and references to avoid
- Indian CountryUse with care
“Sometimes it is unavoidable to cite language that is problematic but which is officially sanctioned by an institutional body like the US government … Where possible, try to find language that circumvents the problematic phrasing, or acknowledge its harmful history.”
: General Best Practices, citing institutional language
- IndigenousUse with care
“Generally speaking, the Sierra Club uses 'Tribal' to refer to Native peoples in a U.S. context and 'Indigenous' in an international context. 'Native' can be used in either context but should always be qualified by 'nations,' 'people' or 'peoples.'”
: p. 16, Tribal Sovereignty and Public Lands: Tips on Writing About Tribal Nations
- IndigenousAvoid
“though many Tribal peoples may use 'Indian' to refer to themselves, the Sierra Club is not a Tribal organization and should default to using a more formal, respectful term like 'Tribal' or 'Native.' If someone wishes to be identified as 'Indian,' we should refer to them as 'self-identified'…”
: p. 18, Cultural Appropriation: Common Phrases to Avoid
- InmateAvoid
““formerly incarcerated person” or “people with loved ones in prison” are respectful terms, as opposed to reductive terms like “inmate” or “felon.” People-first language is a useful approach to take with many identity issues throughout this guide.”
: Overall Recommendations, “Use People-First Language”
- InsaneAvoid
“The most common example is the pervasive use of the word "crazy" or "insane" as a pejorative. … it can be exhausting to hear a medical issue be used as shorthand for every piece of bad news.”
: Ableism in everyday language section
- IntersexUse with care
“The Sierra Club uses 'LGBTQI' as a default term for people who identify as gay, transgender, bi, intersex, or queer. 'Gay' and 'queer' are also available to people as a self-description of their own community. Ask the person you are referring to how they would like to be described.”
: Gender and Sexuality, Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 18
- LameAvoid
“It's never acceptable to use the word "lame," even when referring to the congressional session after an election (lame duck session). It is a slur. Instead, say the "incompetent" or "halfhearted" effort — when in doubt, just get more specific.”
: Ableism in everyday language: 'lame'
“The Sierra Club defaults to 'Latino,' not 'Hispanic,' to describe people of Latin American heritage or descent. … While 'Latino' is a masculine word in Spanish, it can also be used to describe a group of people of mixed genders.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (Latino entry)
- LatinxUse with care
“Some people use the term 'Latinx' as a gender-neutral alternative to Latino and Latina, but there is no consensus on its use. While the Sierra Club defaults to using 'Latino' or 'Latina,' you should use 'Latinx' if someone self-identifies as Latinx …”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity
- LatinxNon-preferred
“The Sierra Club defaults to 'Latino,' not 'Hispanic,' to describe people of Latin American heritage or descent. As when discussing anyone's racial identity, however, you should use the language people use to describe themselves.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (Hispanic discussion)
- LesbianUse
“LGBTQI stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex. … 'Gay' and 'queer' are also available to people as a self-description of their own community. Ask the person you are referring to how they would like to be described.”
: Gender and Sexuality, Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 18
- Little PersonUse with care
“The word "dwarfed" … comes from the word "dwarf," which is not how most people with the medical condition dwarfism prefer to be described. … Exceptions are proper names and scientific terms that include "dwarf"…”
: Disability section, "dwarfed" metaphor entry
- Mental HealthUse with care
“The most common example is the pervasive use of the word “crazy” or “insane” as a pejorative. For people struggling with mental health challenges, it can be exhausting to hear a medical issue be used as shorthand for every piece of bad news.”
: Ableism section, p. 3
- minorityNon-preferred
“Minority: According to Race Forward, 'Defining people of color as ‘minorities’ is not recommended because of changing demographics and the ways in which it reinforces ideas of inferiority and marginalization of a group of people.' In some areas, it is also simply becoming inaccurate as population demographics shift.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Common Phrases to Avoid
- MuslimUse
“Don't use geographic descriptors interchangeably with religious or other terms to describe specific groups of people. For example, "Muslim" is not synonymous with Arab; African American Muslims are the largest Muslim population in the United States.”
: "Be specific" section, p. 13
- Native AmericanUse with care
“Native or Indigenous (Tribal when referring to governments, Tribal or Native when referring to communities within U.S. borders, Indigenous in international contexts). Whenever possible, use the specific name referring to the relevant Tribe or Band. … Be sure to capitalize 'Tribe' or 'Tribal' as well as 'Native' and 'Indigenous.'”
: p. 12, Preferred Terms for Racial Identity → Native or Indigenous
- OffenderAvoid
“Phrases to avoid when talking about incarceration … offender or ex-offender … Phrases to use instead: formerly incarcerated person · incarcerated person · … person in prison · person with conviction …”
: “Phrases to Avoid When Talking About Incarceration” table (from the Sum of Us Guide)
- people of colorUse with care
“A preferred term today is 'BIPOC' referring to Black, Indigenous and people of color … Either term, PoC or BIPOC, is acceptable for use at the Sierra Club … Overall, we should strive to be more specific whenever possible.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → BIPOC entry
- People With DisabilitiesUse with care
“When writing about a person or persons with a disability, refer to the National Center on Disability and Journalism's Disability Language Style Guide for specifics on how to respectfully describe particular disabilities.”
: Ableism → Tips on How to Refer to People Living With Disabilities
- PoorAvoid
“Do not use descriptors or phrases including: … At-risk … The poor … In need, the needy … Wrong side of the tracks … Welfare queen/king … Disadvantaged … Underprivileged”
: "Tips for Writing About Class" do-not-use list
- PronounsUse
“When writing about a specific individual, ask what pronouns they use … Don't assume someone's gender on the basis of their appearance. … When you do not know someone's gender, and have no way of asking them, follow AP style by defaulting to a gender-neutral 'they' pronoun.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 7
- QueerUse with care
“If someone identifies as 'queer' — an identity that has been reclaimed by LGBTQI communities to elevate it from its previous status as a slur — referring to them as a 'self-identified queer activist' would make it clear that this person chooses to be identified this way.”
: Self-Identified, Central Principles (p. 2)
- RacismUse with care
“Racism entails systemic relationships of power that elevate one race of people over another. … While it's true that white people can be subject to negative assumptions and stereotypes, these are examples of prejudice, not racism.”
: p. 14, "Reverse Racism"
- RefugeesUse
“Appropriate Terms for[:] asylee, asylum seeker, children of immigrants, family, foreign national, person, person seeking citizenship, person with citizenship in…, refugee, refused asylum seeker, stateless person, undocumented immigrant”
: p. 8–9, Immigrants and Refugees → Appropriate Terms For
- ReservationUse with care
“Through treaties, Tribes ceded their traditional homelands and other properties and rights. The land Tribes reserved for themselves to continue living upon are called 'reservations' for a reason.”
: p. 16, Tribal Sovereignty and Public Lands → Tips on Writing About Tribal Nations
- ReservationAvoid
“The term 'rez' (meaning reservation) should never be used by the Sierra Club. … Instead, say 'on the Navajo Nation' or other specific place name.”
: p. 17, Tribal Sovereignty and Public Lands → Common Phrases to Avoid
- Reverse RacismAvoid
“Racism entails systemic relationships of power that elevate one race of people over another. The term "reverse racism" assumes that white people can be the victims of racism because they are operating on a level societal playing field. This is inaccurate.”
: p. 14, "Reverse Racism" entry
- SlaveryUse with care
“When referring to a person who was enslaved, we should say "enslaved person" rather than "slave." … Referring to someone as a "slave" diminishes their humanity and fails to place the agency for their enslavement where it belongs: with the people who enslaved them.”
: Whitewashing History → Slavery, p. 21
- Special NeedsAvoid
“Don’t use “special needs,” “specially abled””
: Disability/ableism language list (bulleted alternatives)
- StereotypesAvoid
“Try not to make broad assumptions that a person with a disability is heroic or inspiring for living their lives. Such rhetoric can perpetuate stereotypes and create false expectations that everyone with a disability should be extraordinary or inspirational.”
: Disability section, p. 4
“The term "white supremacy" or "white supremacy culture" is also increasingly used to describe the systemic racism that underpins every element of society. … be sure to fully explain the distinction between organized white supremacy and societal white supremacy, also known as systemic racism.”
: Systemic Racism and White Supremacy Culture, p. 14
- TransgenderUse with care
“There are regional and cultural differences for using the terms 'trans' versus 'transgender.' It is always best to check with the person you are referring to before using either. The term 'transgendered' should be avoided.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 7
- TransgenderedAvoid
“It is always best to check with the person you are referring to before using either. The term “transgendered” should be avoided.”
: Gender and sexual orientation guidance
- TranssexualUse with care
“"Transsexual" is generally considered dated, and may be considered a slur, and should never be used by the Sierra Club unless specifically requested as a self-description by someone we are writing about.”
: Tips for Writing About Gender and Sexuality, p. 7
- TribeUse with care
“Whenever possible, use the specific name referring to the relevant Tribe or Band. … When referring collectively to more than one Tribe, use the term 'Tribal Nations.' Be sure to capitalize 'Tribe' or 'Tribal' as well as 'Native' and 'Indigenous.'”
: p. 12, Preferred Terms for Racial Identity → Native or Indigenous
- TribeAvoid
“The term 'tribalism' to describe extreme group loyalty. Use 'partisanship' or 'provincialism' instead.”
: p. 17, Tribal Sovereignty and Public Lands → Common Phrases to Avoid
“Never use the term “illegal” to describe a person. If a person lacks legal permission to live or work in the U.S., you can refer to them as an “undocumented” immigrant or someone with a complex immigration status.”
: p. 8–9, Immigrants and Refugees → Appropriate Terms For + Tips
- urbanUse with care
“Use caution with terms that may subtly evoke and reinforce racial stereotypes, such as 'urban,' 'vibrant,' and 'hardworking.' Instead, just say what you actually mean — and consider whether what you meant to say has embedded stereotypes that should be removed.”
: p. 13, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Common Phrases to Avoid
- WheelchairAvoid
““Wheelchair user” or “person who uses a wheelchair” instead of “confined to a wheelchair” or “wheelchairbound””
: Disability language list, "instead of" guidance
- whiteUse
“Do not capitalize the word 'white.' Doing so risks the perception that Sierra Club is aligned with organized white supremacy. … at this time the Sierra Club does not capitalize white to avoid the appearance of allying with organized white supremacy.”
: p. 12, Racial and Ethnic Identity → Preferred Terms for Racial Identity (white entry)
“The term "white supremacy" or "white supremacy culture" is also increasingly used to describe the systemic racism that underpins every element of society. … be sure to fully explain the distinction between organized white supremacy and societal white supremacy, also known as systemic racism.”
: Race and White Supremacy → Organized / Systemic White Supremacy Culture, pp. 13–14