QTPOC

An acronym meaning Queer and Trans People of Colour.

Quadriplegia

Paralysis of all four of a person's limbs.

Queer

A term used by some 2SLGBTQIA+ people to describe themselves and their community. The term has been reclaimed by these people from its earlier negative uses, and is valued by some people as a symbol of defiance. Some consider the term 'queer' to be inclusive of the broader community and/or a way to incorporate fluid identities. However, some people in the 2SLGBTQ!A+ people dislike this term. For that reason, the word should be used when self quoting, or when identifying a person who self identifies as queer.

Questioning

A descriptive term for a person in a process of discovery and exploration about their sexual orientation and/or gender identity and/or expression. Questioning can also refer to the process itself, which can happen at any age or stage of someone's life.

Race

A socially constructed system of categorizing humans largely based on observable physical features (phenotypes), such as skin colour, and on ancestry. There is no scientific basis for or discernible distinction between racial categories.

Race and Ethnic Identity

An individual’s awareness and experience of being a member of a racial and ethnic group; the racial and ethnic categories that an individual chooses to describe him or herself based on such factors as biological heritage, physical appearance, cultural affiliation, early socialization, and personal experience.

Racial Discrimination

Any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal footing, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life.

Racial Equity

A state that would mean a person's racial identity does not predict how they fare in life and society, in a statistical sense. Racial equity is part of racial justice, and working towards racial equity requires addressing root causes of inequities. 

Racial Justice

The systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes. It is not just the absence of discrimination and inequities, but also the presence of deliberate systems and supports to achieve and sustain racial equity through proactive and preventative measures.

Racialization

A process where society treats race as real by creating hierarchies and differences between them which motivate unequal treatment that affect all aspects of life including political, social, economic and educational.

Racialized

Referring to a person or group of people categorized according to ethnic and/or racial characteristics, experiences of colonization and subjected to discrimination on that basis.

Racism

A belief that one group is superior to others, performed through any individual action, or institutional practice which treats people differently because of their colour or ethnicity. This distinction is often used to justify discrimination.

There are three types of racism:

• Institutional Racism exists in organizations or institutions where the established rules, policies and regulations are both informed by, and inform, the norms, values and principles of institutions. These in turn, systematically produce differential treatment of, or discriminatory practices towards, various groups based on race.
• Systemic racism consists of patterns of behaviour, policies or practices that create and maintain the power of certain racial groups over others, or reinforce the disadvantage of certain racial groups.
• Individual racism is structured by an ideology (set of ideas, values and beliefs) that frames one’s negative attitudes towards others, and is reflected in the willful, conscious/unconscious, direct/indirect or intentional/unintentional words or actions of individuals.

Religious Oppression

The systematic subordination of minority religious groups, such as Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Native American spiritualities, and those who are atheists, agnostics or freethinkers.

Reparations

Addressing the harms caused by widespread or systemic human rights violations either caused by, or not adequately prevented by, the state. Reparations can take many forms—examples include compensation for losses or harms suffered, provision of rehabilitation services and public addressing of the rights of victims.

Restorative Justice

A justice theory emphasizing repair of the harms caused by crime or conflict, placing the decisions about that repair in the hands of those most affected. Under restorative justice, the victim, offender and surrounding community receive equal concern and the reparative actions are meant to heal harms and relationships and address underlying causes for the offense, with an overall emphasis on individual and collective accountabilty.

Romantic Identity

A person's pattern of romantic attraction based on gender, regardless of sexual orientation. Romantic identity and sexual orientation are not mutually exclusive.