Inclusivity in language – When there’s more to it than just words

“Inclusive language acknowledges diversity, conveys respect to all people, is sensitive to differences, and promotes equitable opportunities.”  -Linguistic Society of America    

Language shapes the way we see others and ourselves. Using inclusive language helps create safer, more open spaces where people feel seen, respected, and welcomed. It signals that we care about others’ lived experiences, and that we expect the same respect in return. The more we talk (and adjust how we talk), the better we become as communicators and as humans.

Products don’t have a gender

Many period care brands still market exclusively to cisgender women, which can make menstruation even more uncomfortable for trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming (GNC) people. And let’s be real - periods are challenging enough without feeling excluded by packaging, language, or product design.

The period cup itself is gender-neutral. It’s the branding, messaging, and color choices that can make someone feel seen or invisible. Inclusive period care can’t solve everything, but it can help ease the burden of navigating menstruation in a world that still assumes only women bleed.

At Lunette, we’ve always stood for inclusion, diversity, and equality. We don’t believe in forcing people into binary boxes. Instead, we celebrate the beautiful spectrum of identities that make humanity so extraordinary. Language matters. And learning to use respectful, accurate language is a powerful way to show up as an ally. We’re committed to creating a safe space for everyone and we’ll keep learning, listening, and evolving.

How to get started with inclusive language

Inclusivity isn’t about perfection - it’s about intention. Here are a few ways to begin:

Listen first - you don’t need to know every term right away. Just listen, stay curious, and be open to learning.

Come as you are – and know that you’re enough.

Everyone deserves to be accepted without judgment. Full stop.

Respect self-determination - we all have the right to define who we are. If you’re unsure how someone identifies, ask politely how they’d like to be addressed.

Don’t assume - avoid guessing someone’s gender or pronouns. Instead, introduce yourself with your own: “Hi, I’m Suzan, and my pronouns are she/her.” This opens the door for others to share theirs - without pressure. Also ask yourself: Is someone’s gender relevant to this situation? Often, it’s not.

Use gender-sensitive language

• Use they/them as a singular pronoun when gender is unknown;
• Avoid gendered job titles (e.g. “firefighter” instead of “fireman”);
• Use someone’s name until you know their pronouns;
• Refer to people who menstruate rather than “women” when talking about periods.

Gender in different languages

Not all languages have built-in gender-neutral terms, but many are evolving:

• Finnish uses “hän” a gender-neutral pronoun for everyone;
• Swedish introduced “hen” as an alternative to “han” (he) and “hon” (she);
• German activists use an underscore or asterisk (e.g. “Student_in”) to include all genders in written form.

Some languages have gendered nouns for everything. Others, like Turkish or Hungarian, have no grammatical gender at all. Learning how different cultures navigate gender in language helps us build more inclusive global conversations.

Language is one of the most powerful tools we have. It connects us, informs us, and shapes our reality. When used with care, it builds understanding and community.

At Lunette, we talk about periods and people who menstruate not genders, because our products are for anyone who bleeds, and our mission is to support every body. All people who menstruate deserve to be included in the conversation. And while we won’t always get it right, we’re committed to trying and to being better allies every day.

Inclusivity is a journey. Let’s walk it together. 

photo: rawpixel, Pinterest