This toolkit, developed by the Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organisation (ALO), provides an accessible introduction to sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expression, and sex characteristics, with a specific focus on Afghan society and Dari/Farsi terminology.
Language shapes how communities understand, include, or exclude LGBTIQ+ people. In Afghanistan and other Dari/Farsi-speaking contexts, many words used to describe LGBTIQ+ people are outdated, inaccurate, or harmful. This toolkit explains key concepts in clear language and offers more respectful, inclusive, and community-informed alternatives.
The publication introduces terms such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, non-binary, genderfluid, and other identities. It also explains important concepts such as coming out, misgendering, deadnaming, conversion therapy, corrective rape, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, intersectionality, and LGBTIQ+ visibility.
Designed for community members, activists, journalists, educators, civil society organisations, policymakers, and allies, this resource aims to promote safer, more accurate, and more affirming conversations about LGBTIQ+ people in Afghanistan and across Dari/Farsi-speaking communities.
By challenging harmful language and promoting respectful terminology, this toolkit contributes to dignity, visibility, awareness, and justice for LGBTIQ+ Afghans.
Download the toolkit to learn more about inclusive language, key LGBTIQ+ concepts, and respectful terminology in Dari/Farsi.
