Notes on Terminology

FLINTA

For this project, the acronym refers to Female (femme/womxn/trans) Folx who identify with Lesbian, Intersex, Non-Binary, Transgender, or Agender ways of being in the world. This includes folx who are or are not assigned female at birth.

“X” and “*”

To invite questions, debate, self-identification and flexibility, some identity terms end in “x” or ‘*’. In mathematics, x includes variability and * implies multiplicity – some of the historical and structural limits related to gender in the English language are addressed by applying ‘x’ and ‘*’.

‘X’ functions as an invitation to gender inclusivity specifically, such as the title ‘Mx’ in lieu of ‘Mr’ or ‘Ms’.

‘*’ The asterisk is another gesture of inclusivity, added as an invitation to folx who partially, but may not fully, identify within the boundaries specified, such as its use in LGBTQ*

Interactor or Interactors

Interactor(s) refers to the folx directly engaging with Routes and Places. I use this term instead of participant, reader, or audience to emphasise the co-creative disposition of this intervention. The word implies play and performance, exchange and participation – central elements for the work to be realised and its outputs exchanged.

Pronouns

Participants are encouraged to declare a preferred gender pronoun or article. When not possible or declared, gender-neutral pronouns such as ‘they’ and ‘folx’ are applied.

Regarding ‘female’, ‘women’, ‘femme’, ‘womxn’

One purpose of Routes and P(l)aces England is to share various ways in which gender identities are explored, understood, and practised. As such, this project encourages dialogue about gender by walking in the landscape with an open mind regarding fixed categories of gender, sexuality, and relationship practices. The literary and theoretical contributions favour people and subjects that self-identify/are identifiable as female, woman, or afab in some capacity at some point in their lives. On the other hand, the folx who interact with walks represent a range of genders, sexualities, and relationship practices. The intent is to juxtapose multiple gender identities to explore nuance and congruity.