How do I apply person first language to terms about gay or lesbian people such as gay man or lesbian woman or bisexual person or transgendered person?

Answer 1

Usually the notion of "people-first" or "person-first" language comes up when talking about people with physical and mental handicaps; you will want first to avoid the implication that sexual orientation or being transgendered are handicaps (they are not).

In general, the sexual orientation (gay/lesbian, straight, bisexual, etc.) or the transgender status of a person is irrelevant in most writing. In the past, mention of these characteristics was used to sensationalize. Nowadays, this kind of sensationalism is avoided because these characteristics are not usually relevant to the topic at hand. Thus, my first suggestion is to evaluate whether these characteristics are worthy of mention at all.

Most news organizations appropriately use terms like "gay man," "gay men," and "lesbian(s)"--though sometimes also "gay men and women" or "gay women" may be used. The term "same-sex" is now very frequent as well. The abbreviation LGBT or GLBT (gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender) is also commonly and appropriately used. Inappropriate terms include "the gays" (i.e. using "gay" as a noun), "homosexual" (this is an outmoded clinical term that tends to reflect ignorance on the writer), etc. Web sites such as HRC.org and GLAAD.org can give you more detailed recommendations on how to appropriately refer to GLBT people.

Transgender is a very complicated area since issues like gendered pronouns are at play. In many cases, it is best to ask the transgender person him- or herself what is appropriate or not. This consideration is typically appreciated.

Answer 2

You can use person first language by placing the person before the identity label. For example, say "a man who is gay" instead of "gay man," or "a woman who is lesbian" instead of "lesbian woman." This puts emphasis on the individual first, rather than defining them solely by their identity.