Glossary Gender affirmation is an umbrella term for a range of actions and possibilities involved in living, surviving, and thriving as your authentic gendered self. What this looks like for each individual trans person is unique and based on what is personally affirming for them, what feels safe to do, and what is accessible and available. It may include changing a name or pronoun, wearing different clothes or cutting/growing hair, engaging in speech and language therapy, taking gender-affirming hormones, or having surgery(s). Gender conforming refers to an individual or a behaviour that is consistent with the gender expectations of a society. Gender conformity can include dress, work, childcare or leisure activities. For example, in most societies it is gender conforming to expect women to be responsible for most household duties and childcare. Gender expression refers to a person’s physical presentation of gender – including dress, hairstyles, accessories and cosmetics – and mannerisms, speech, behavioural patterns, names and personal references. Gender expression may or may not conform to a person’s gender identity. Gender identity refers to a person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond with the sex assigned at their birth. This includes their sense of their body and other expressions of gender including dress, speech and mannerisms. Gender transition is similar to gender affirmation in that it is used to describe steps that may be taken towards one’s true gender. While many people use this term, for others it positions trans experiences narrowly and solely through the lens of medical intervention. LGBTQIA+ is an acronym of different identities including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex and Asexual. The plus is used to include other terms not listed. The LGBTQIA+ community is also sometimes called the ‘rainbow community’. We do not use that term in this document because some religious communities have told us the rainbow for them is a symbol of God’s promises. There are many examples of identities that reach beyond the Eurocentric acronym of LGBTQIA+ across South Asian regions. These include Hijra (a thriving ‘third gender’), Aravani, Thirunangaigal, Khwajasara, Kothi, Thirunambigal, Jogappa, Jogatha, Nachchi, and Shiva Shakti.xxi MVPFAFF+ is an acronym to describe Pasifika identities; Mahu (Hawai’i and Tahiti), Vaka sa lewa lewa (Fiji), Palopa (Papua New Guinea) Fa’afafine (Samoa) Akava’ine (Rarotonga), Fakaleiti (Tonga), Fakafifine (Niue). The abbreviation is gaining increasing use to signify the existence of different Pacific cultures that have a strong presence in Aotearoa. Takatāpui is used by some Māori that identify with a minority sexual orientation, gender identity or sex characteristics. The term has been reclaimed and expanded from its original meaning, which was “intimate companion of the same sex”. Sexual orientation refers to each person’s capacity for emotional and sexual attraction to, and intimate and sexual relations with, people of the same or different gender or more than one gender. Sexuality refers to a person’s sexual feelings, thoughts, attractions and behaviours towards other people. More definitions can be found in the InsideOut Terminology Handbook or Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission website. 88 Conversion Practices Guidance for people working in religious communities