DEI Inclusionary Language
We aim to communicate with inclusivity and respect to all. Below are a few tips to aid in your copywriting.
Gender
Use the term "gender" (rather than sex) when referring to people as social groups, i.e. "the gender breakdown of participants was 43% men, 44% women, etc."
Use "individuals" or "people" instead of "men and women."
When discussing transgender individuals, refer to "sex assigned at birth" rather than "birth sex."
Use "women” instead of “females”
Use the singular “they” when referring to individuals whose gender is unknown.
Avoid terms that imply a binary. Use "another gender" rather than "opposite gender."
Use “predominately male” instead of “male-dominated” when referring to the commercial real estate industry.
Be inclusionary when describing your programs and events. Use "while this program is designed for women, all individuals are welcome to register/participate/apply" instead of "this program is for women."
Sexual Orientation
Use the term "sexual orientation" rather than "sexual preference" or "sexual identity."
Use the umbrella terms "LGBTQIA+" or "sexual orientation and gender diversity."
Use specific, identity-first terms to describe people's sexual orientation ("bisexual people," "queer people") rather than "homosexual."
Racial and Ethnic Identity
Racial and ethnic groups are proper nouns and are capitalized. Use "Black," "White," "Native American," "Hispanic," "Indigenous," etc.
Capitalize "people" when referring to a specific group, i.e. "the Indigenous Peoples of Canada." Use lowercase "people" otherwise, i.e. "the authors were all Indigenous people but belonged to different nations."
Do not use hyphens. "Asian American participants" instead of "Asian-American participants."
Use "racial-ethnic minorities," 'underrepresented people," or "underrepresented groups" instead of "minorities" or “people of color.” BIPOC is also an outdated term.
Socioeconomic Status
Use "economically marginalized" or "economically exploited" rather than "underprivileged."
Use "people experiencing homelessness," "people who are unhoused," or "people in transitional housing," rather than "the homeless."
Abilities and Medical Diagnoses
Use Person-First Language, which puts the individual before a medical diagnosis.
Use "person with a mental health condition" rather than "mentally ill" or "person with autism" rather than "autistic" (unless the person prefers "autistic").
Use "accessible bathrooms" rather than "handicapped bathrooms."
Be sensitive to labels
Generally, ask the individual you are describing how they want to be referred to
Some groups (i.e. "the Deaf community") prefer a capitalized form.
Our Commitment to DEI Statement
CREW Network’s mission to advance all women in commercial real estate remains our priority. We are committed to strengthening and expanding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout our global organization.
CREW Network is a united network of individuals with a culture of inclusion and belonging that inspires engagement, breaks down barriers and accelerates growth and collaboration for our chapters, members, and partners. We believe diverse voices enrich our business connections and drive innovation.
