Photo by Aiden Craver on Unsplash.

What is "red-flag" language?

"Red-flag language" signals someone opposes queer and trans liberation. Queer- or trans-antagonistic sources can be ferreted out by some of the following clues.

Using outdated language

  • Using "homosexual" or "homosexuality" without it being tongue-in-cheek.
  • Using "FTM," "MTF," "sex change," "transsexual," or "transgendered."
  • Talking about "transgenderism" like it's a disease.
  • Referring to trans people and their gender identity as one word: "transwomen," "transmen," "transboys," or "transgirls."
  • "Transgenders" — it's not a noun, people.
    • (Okay, except that i do know a few trans folx who describe themselves as "a transgender" or "transgenders." So, yeah, people can identify and label themselves however they'd like. But if this isn't about your own identity, don't use "transgender" as a noun.)

    More current language that is just as (and sometimes more) offensive

      • Using the term "woke" to refer to anything other than getting out of bed.
        • Two exceptions:
          • a source that uses "woke" to criticize people on the right, or
          • a source that characterizes being "woke" as a positive attribute.
      • People wringing their hands over "gender ideology," "rapid onset gender dysphoria," "social contagion," or "(trans)gender extremism."
      • People who describe themselves as "gender critical."
      • People who discuss the "symptoms" of queer or trans identities.
      • ANYONE trying to whip you into a frenzy about grooming.
      • Characterizing any healthcare for trans children, tweens, or teens as "child abuse" or "mutilation."
      • Justifying book bans or prohibitions on discussing LGBTQA+/SGL people in schools as "parental rights."
      • Admonishments for "tolerance" of queer & trans communities. This term is sadly still used fairly often, although we should be aiming for open celebration and, at the very least acceptance -- not to be "tolerated" like in-laws and taxes.

        Other things that are huge red flags

        • Using any violent language to talk about how someone would like to interact with queer or trans people.
        • Putting "coming out" or "transgender" in quotation marks (except as used here).
        • Any encouragement to out a queer or trans person, of any age, to anyone without the person's express consent.
          • This is especially relevant for schools that have adopted policies of outing students to their parents, with no regard for the blowback a young person may face at home from that revelation.
          • There is an argument to be made in favor of outing politicians or other people in power who use that power to oppress other folx who are queer or trans. But this isn't relevant to tweens or teens, none of whom have any substantial power.
        • Using religious rhetoric like the following:
          • "Love the sinner; hate the sin."
          • "Bringing people back to God"
          • Being "lost" or "saved."
          • "Salvation"
          • "Accepting Jesus Christ as a personal savior"
          • "Going to hell"
          • "Sinners" or "sinning"
          • "Forgive" or "forgiveness," or
          • Any discussion of "leaving" homosexuality.