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Glossary Term

Intersectionality

[ ˌin(t)ərˌsekSHəˈnalədē]
  • (Gender Expression)
  • (Gender Identity)

Noun.

The idea that people who find themselves at the crossroads of multiple identities (for example, in terms of race, gender, or sexuality) experience discrimination in a way uniquely different from those who they may only share one or some identities in common.

For example, Black women will experience racism differently than Black men and sexism differently than white women, and the way they experience racism and sexism is informed by their unique intersectional identities.

The term was first used in the context of feminism by civil rights scholar and advocate Kimberlé Crenshaw.

Intersectionality recognizes that we live beautiful, diverse, and unique lives which shouldn’t be checked into just one box.” – Anonymous, Youth Voices

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