Alphabetical Entries: G
gender Not synonymous with sex. Gender refers to a person’s social identity while sex refers to biological characteristics. Not all people fall under one of two categories for sex or gender, according to leading medical organizations, so avoid references to both, either, or opposite sexes or genders as ways of encompassing all people. Language on gender is evolving. Individuals at SUNY New Paltz may need to make decisions, based on necessity and audience, on terms that differ from or are not covered in these guidelines. For guidance on pronouns, see they, them, their.
Some frequently used terms and definitions:
- cisgender May be used if necessary to refer to people who are not transgender. Cisgender refers to gender and is not synonymous with heterosexual, which refers to sexuality.
- gender nonconforming Acceptable in broad references as a term for people who do not conform to the traditional view of two genders. Not synonymous with transgender.
- intersex Term for people born with genitalia, chromosomes or reproductive organs that don’t it traditional definitions formales or femals at birth. Do not use the outdated term hermaphrodite.
- sex reassignment, gender confirmation The treatments, surgeries and other procedures used by transgender people to match their sex to their gender. These terms are preferred over gender reassignment. Do not sue the outdated sex change.
- transgender An adjective that describes people whose gender identity does not match the sex or gender they were identified as having at birth. Identify people as transgender only if pertinent, and use the names by which they live publically. The shorthand trans is acceptable on second reference and in headlines. Not synonymous with terms like cross-dresser or drag queen, which do not have to do with gender identity. Do not use the incorrect transgendered, the outdated transsexual, or the deragatory tranny.
- transition, gender transition The process by which transgender people change the physical characteristics associated with the sex or gender they were identified as having at birth to those matching their own gender identity. May include sex reassignment or gender confirmation, but not necessarily.
General Education Capitalize as shown in reference to a specific program, but lowercase when used generically: New Paltz recently completed upgrades to its General Education Program. Many universities have revised their general education requirements in recent years.
genus and species In scientific or biological names, capitalize the first, or generic, Latin name for the class and lowercase the species name that follows. Rosa caroliniana. On subsequent references, use the abbreviated form: R. caroliniana.
government agencies Capitalize the full proper names of governmental agencies, departments and offices, but lowercase modifiers: The U.S. Department of State, the New Paltz Village Board, the Ulster County Arson Task Force, State University of New York, but the state Office of Emergency Services, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city Department of Public Works. See the federal and state entries; also consult the AP Stylebook's federal, government, governmental bodies and state entries.
grades Use uppercase for letter grades and associated "+" and "–" symbols.
groundbreaking, groundbreaking ceremony Use as one word in all forms, per AP's New York office.
Guggenheim Use uppercase as shown: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship(s), Guggenheim Fellowship(s), Guggenheim Fellow(s), John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Fellow(s); but: a fellow (lowercase). Note that an individual can be awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship, but does not receive a Guggenheim Fellowship Award. The fellowships are awarded by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation in New York. The foundation has been granting awards to artists, scholars and scientists since 1925, on the basis of "unusually distinguished achievement in the past and exceptional promise for future achievement." Although not all recipients are associated with academic institutions, most hold appointments in American and Canadian universities and colleges. Winners of the annual competition are judged by a Committee of Selection. (Compare with Fulbright entry; also see the fellow, fellowship entry.)
