Johns Hopkins Sparks Backlash by Defining Lesbians As 'Non-Man'

Outrage has been expressed online at Johns Hopkins University over its non-binary-inclusive definition of "lesbian" in its glossary of LGBTQ+ terms.

The Baltimore-based university, a major hub of medical research in the U.S., maintains an extensive glossary of definitions for terms relevant to the broad LGBTQ+ community, which is updated as the subject of gender and sexual identity changes.

On Monday, the glossary's new definition of "lesbian" came under attack as the university defined the term as "a non-man attracted to non-men." The update is meant to be inclusive of non-binary individuals who might still identify as lesbians.

Social media users accused Johns Hopkins of attempting to "erase" women. They also pointed to the glossary's listing for "gay man," which does not use similarly non-binary-inclusive language.

The flare-up comes amid a broader backlash to LGBTQ+ rights and the embrace of queer communities by society. Numerous state legislatures across the U.S. have begun passing laws that target transgender communities, taking particular aim at the ability to get gender-affirming care for trans children. There has also been a vocal, if not definitively widespread, lashing out against companies and brands that market to LGBTQ+ communities or hold Pride Month events.

The definition prompted a backlash on social media. LGBTQ+ influencer and lesbian vlogger Arielle Scarcella tweeted: "Why is a lesbian a non-man but a gay person isn't a non-woman? Progressive misogyny."

Twitter user Amy Curtis added: "What is this absolute nonsense... We are women."

Oli London, who is a critic of "gender ideology," also waded in, as did British TV talk show presenter Julia Hartley-Brewer, who tweeted: "What the actual f....? So now we're not just reduced to being body parts or bleeders or a mere subset of women, we're now 'non-men'."

Gay rights activist Fred Sargeant added: "Inarguably, modern times are now the stupidest time and universities are leading the way.."

In a statement provided to Newsweek following the initial publication of this piece, Johns Hopkins University said that it has temporarily taken down the glossary from its website while it looks into "the origin and context of the glossary's definitions," claiming to have recently been made aware of the language in the definition of lesbian. The school also stressed that the glossary is not meant to serve as a definitive resource for how all individuals should understand the included terms.

"Johns Hopkins strives to create a campus culture that is inclusive and welcoming for all gender identities, sexual orientations, experiences, and viewpoints, and we are committed to ensuring Johns Hopkins is a place where LGBTQ people feel supported," the statement read. "The LGBTQ Glossary serves as an introduction to the range of identities and terms that are used within LGBTQ communities, and is not intended to serve as the definitive answers as to how all people understand or use these terms. Upon becoming aware of the language in question, we have begun working to determine the origin and context of the glossary's definitions. We have removed the page from our website while we gather more information."

The definition provided by Johns Hopkins is notably distinct from those in similar LGBTQ+ glossaries maintained by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC).

The HRC's first sentence in its definition of lesbian reads: "A woman who is emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to other women." There is a second sentence adding that non-binary people may use the term to describe themselves.

The ADL's glossary defines lesbian as a "woman who is emotionally, physically and/or romantically attracted to some other women."

Update 06/13/2023, 5.48 a.m. ET: This article and its headline have been updated for context and clarity.

Update 06/13/2023, 6:25 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with a response from Johns Hopkins University.