assigned at birth | Campus Safe Words

TERM: assigned at birth
RISK LEVEL: High

Why It’s Risky

The phrase “assigned at birth” is closely associated with gender identity discourse, particularly within DEI programming and transgender advocacy. Conservative-backed laws like Florida’s Stop W.O.K.E. Act and Arkansas Act 1002 target terminology that challenges traditional understandings of biological sex. Using “assigned at birth” in course materials, trainings, or official communications may be interpreted as endorsing ideologically driven views on sex and gender, leading to increased scrutiny or legal exposure for public institutions.

Common Critiques

Critics argue that the phrase implies sex is arbitrarily labeled rather than biologically determined, which they view as undermining scientific accuracy and promoting gender ideology. Policymakers have expressed concern that the term reflects activist language that conflicts with state definitions of sex rooted in anatomy or chromosomes. Use of this phrase in non-clinical contexts may be seen as advancing a worldview inconsistent with state law or public expectations.

When It’s Still Appropriate

“Assigned at birth” may be appropriate in medical or psychological contexts when describing terminology used in clinical care, scholarly research, or specific diagnostic frameworks. It can also be used when citing peer-reviewed literature in gender studies or sociology, provided it is framed as part of academic analysis rather than an institutional stance. When necessary, contextualizing the term within current debates helps maintain academic defensibility.

Suggested Substitutes

1. Biological sex (for legal or scientific contexts)

2. Sex documented at birth (when referencing official records)

3. Birth sex (in clinical or demographic research)

4. Legal sex designation (in policy or administrative settings)

5. Anatomical sex (when relevant to medical or health content)

Notes:
Avoid using “assigned at birth” in general education materials, administrative communications, or training programs unless directly tied to clinical education or academic research. Where appropriate, clarify that terminology reflects the language of specific disciplines and is not mandated institutional doctrine. In politically sensitive environments, consult legal counsel before using the term in public-facing content.