Expanding inclusion beyond religion
When someone sees their identity explicitly acknowledged, it signals: you belong here too. Not as an afterthought. Not as an exception. But as part of the community by design.
This week, The Pride Chamber took a meaningful and forward-thinking step by updating its protected class language from “religion” to Religious, Secular, or Spiritual Identity (RSSI). At first glance, this may seem like a small wording change. In reality, it reflects something much larger — a deeper commitment to true inclusion.
No one is implied. Everyone is included.
Language Shapes Belonging
The word “religion” has long been a standard category in non-discrimination and inclusion policies. It was designed to protect people of diverse faith traditions — and it has done important work in that regard.
But language evolves as our understanding of identity evolves.
Using “religion” alone can unintentionally center belief systems that are structured, organized, and often rooted in majority traditions. That framing leaves out people who identify as secular, atheist, agnostic, humanist, or otherwise unaffiliated. It can also blur the experiences of those whose spirituality doesn’t fit neatly into formal religion.
Psychological Safety Starts with Clarity
Creating inclusive spaces isn’t just about good intentions — it’s about clarity.
When language is incomplete, people are left to wonder: Does this apply to me? Am i actually protected here? For some, the term “religion” may feel unclear or narrowly defined, leading to uncertainty about whether their identity is fully recognized.
In some environments, that uncertainty runs deeper. When “religion” is the only language used, individuals who have experienced exclusion, judgment, or harm in faith-biased spaces may question whether those dynamics will be tolerated, overlooked, or even reinforced.
That uncertainty erodes psychological safety.
Clear, expansive language removes that doubt. It tells people they don’t have to translate themselves to fit the policy — the policy already reflects them.
And when people feel safe, they show up more fully. They contribute more openly. They connect more authentically.
A Ripple Effect Beyond Words
This change from religion alone to RSSI language is more than semantic — it sets a tone.
It signals that The Pride Chamber is listening, evolving, and leading. That inclusion is not static, but something we actively refine as we better understand the communities we serve.
It also creates a ripple effect:
- Other organizations may re-examine their own language
- Leaders may become more thoughtful about who is centered — and who is missing
- Individuals who have felt overlooked may feel newly welcomed
That’s how cultural change happens — one intentional decision at a time.
A Personal Note on Why This Matters
Moments like this don’t happen in a vacuum. They are often the result of advocacy, conversation, and lived experience shared over time.
Advocating for the inclusion of all Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Identities is not always easy — but it is necessary. During my time at the University of Central Florida, i served in a full-time role while also volunteering as a Humanist Chaplain. In that work, i established a Secular Safe Zone program and helped create trainings that honored perspectives beyond those traditionally and openly recognized in our culture.
I also advocated for this same inclusive language shift. Once implemented, the response from the community was immediate and powerful. When people are named, they feel their belonging.
- LINK: 2016-18 UCF Humanist Chaplaincy Report – Appendix B is the commentary and outpouring of gratitude for the change in UCF non-discrimination language.
That’s what this is really about.
It’s also why i brought this forward to the Chamber, where i currently serve on the Board of Directors — and why i’m so grateful for the Board’s positive response and leadership in adopting this change so thoughtfully and quickly.
Moving Forward
The Pride Chamber’s decision is a reminder that inclusion isn’t only about large, visible initiatives. Sometimes, it’s about the words we choose — and the people those words make visible.
“Religious, Secular, or Spiritual Identity” is more than a phrase. It’s a statement of values.
A commitment to recognizing the full spectrum of human identity.
And a meaningful step toward building spaces where everyone — truly everyone — can show up as themselves.
Because when we expand our language, we expand our circle.
And that’s where real inclusion begins.
A Call to Action: Updating Your Non-Discrimination Language
For those looking to make their policies more inclusive, updating how we frame “religion” is a powerful place to start.
There are different approaches to expanding this language. For example, at the University of Central Florida, the policy committee adopted “religion or non-religion.” This explicitly includes Atheists, Humanists, and other Secular identities (AHoSI). It was an important step forward — but it still reflects a limiting binary assumption.
The reality is more complex.
Many people do not see themselves as fitting neatly into either “religion” or “non-religion.” Their identities are layered, evolving, and deeply personal.
Why i Recommend “Religious, Secular, and Spiritual Identity”
When i facilitated Secular Safe Zone workshops, participants were invited to anonymously share how they describe their own identity. The responses were revealing. In addition to traditional responses such as “Jewish”, “None”, “Christian”, “Satanist”, or “Buddhist”, there were blended responses:
“Catholic but not religious.”
“Atheist Muslim.”
“Spiritual Atheist.”
“Religious Humanist.”
“Secular Wiccan.”
And many more.
These are not contradictions — they’re reflections of how people actually experience identity.
RSSI is a spectrum, not a pinpoint. For some, religion is cultural, not doctrinal. For others, spirituality exists without belief in a higher power. Some hold multiple frameworks at once. And many reject labels entirely, even while still needing to be recognized and protected.
RSSI is often a lifelong journey. How you understand or define your identity today may be very different from how you described it in the past — and how you may describe it in the future.
Labels are inherently imperfect. People use them to describe themselves — not to fit into rigid categories, but to express meaning in their own terms.
Regardless of the labels people use to describe their RSSI, what that term means to them is often a foundational part of how they understand the world, the ethical framework that guides their decisions, and how they see themselves in relation to others and the greater whole.
This Matters.
When our policies rely on narrow or binary language, they force people to translate themselves into a box that doesn’t fit them or to question whether they are included at all.
Using “Religious, Secular, or Spiritual Identity” acknowledges the full spectrum of lived experience.
It provides:
- Visibility — people see themselves reflected
- Clarity — people understand they are included
- Protection — policies apply without ambiguity
Most importantly, it removes the burden from individuals to fit the language — and places the responsibility on institutions to reflect the people they serve.
Take the Next Step
If your organization is reviewing its non-discrimination language, this is an opportunity to lead.
Look closely at who your current language includes — and who it unintentionally leaves out.
Because inclusion isn’t just about intention. It’s about whether people can see themselves in your words.
At a time when inclusion is being challenged in many spaces, intentional choices like this matter more than ever. For those who may feel increasingly overlooked, marginalized, or even unsafe, this kind of clarity offers something powerful: a signal that we are all are seen, valued, and protected.
