Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Identity (failed proposal)

Main guidline: Wikipedia:Naming conventions

Naming conventions (identity) is a Wikipedia guideline for dealing with issues of naming people and their identities in Wikipedia articles.

Naming people and identities in a manner which is neither offensive nor contrary to the wishes of those about whom we are writing articles is not only good etiquette, but also helps to reduce editorial conflicts about which specific names should be used in a given article.

General guidelines

When in doubt, or when editing a controversial article, take the time to read the article's talk page before editing. Often compromises on specific articles or terms have been hashed out at considerable cost in terms of personal time and effort. Aim for consensus.

Self-identification

Use the name(s) and terminology that the individual or organization themselves use.

• Self identification: When naming or writing an article about specific people or specific groups always use the terminology which those individuals or organizations themselves use. Transsexual people, for example, should be referred to using the personal pronouns (male, female, or another) that they themselves prefer.
• Do not assume that a different term is more inclusive or accurate. For example, a person who appears female or who was born female may identify as male or something else other than female.

Be specific

Be as specific as possible.

• Use the most specific terminology available. If someone is of Ethiopian descent, describe them as "Ethiopian," not "African."
• Almost always use terms as adjectives rather than nouns, thus, black people, not blacks; gay people, not gays, and so on. Note that there may be exceptions to this rule: for example, some prefer the term "transgenders" to the term "transgendered people."

Be neutral

Where there is doubt, aim for neutrality.

• Some terms are considered pejorative, or have negative associations, even if they are quite commonly used. Even though people may use these terms themselves, they may not appreciate being referred to by such terms by others (for example, faggot, nigger, tranny). Note that neutral terminology is not necessarily the most common term — a term that the person or their cultural group does not accept for themselves is not neutral even if it remains the most widely used term among outsiders.
• However, do not be so general as to render terms meaningless.

Preferred terms

Ethnic and national identities

• Avoid outdated terms when describing people. For example, Asian is preferred over Oriental. Even Asian is an imprecise term, however; be as specific as possible: Chinese, Japanese, Pakistani, and so on.
• "Chinese" or "Chinese person" are preferred over "Chinaman," which is outdated and has racist connotations.
• Roma is preferred over gypsy.
• For Scottish clans see Category:Scottish clans

Indigenous peoples

• A 1996 survey revealed that "natives" in the United States preferred "American Indian" to "Native American," although "Native American" is also generally acceptable[1]. Neither of these terms is generally used in Alaska, where the term Eskimo is sometimes offensive, and Alaska Native is usually preferred.

Sex and sexual identities

• For people the terms "gay" (often, but not always, used for males only) and "lesbian" (which is used for females only) are preferred over "homosexual," which has clinical associations and is often considered pejorative. However, homosexual may be used in describing people in certain instances, in particular in historical contexts.
• For sexual behaviours, "homosexual" may be acceptable.
• Two-Spirit is preferred over berdache.
• Transgender people should be referred to using pronouns consistent with their current gender identification. If unsure, it may be acceptable to employ terms consistent with the person's gender presentation: for example, if a person lives as female and appears female, it is probably fine to describe her using female pronouns.
• The terms transman and transwoman are somewhat preferable when needing to discuss a person's transsexual identity outside of a clinical context, as they are clear and potentially less degrading than alternatives and can be used in the same manner as the terms "man" or "woman." Note, however, that it is not necessary, desirable, or appropriate to qualify every reference to a transsexual's gender with a reference to their transsexuality.