Respect is something that we all try to show to others, and hope that others will treat us with respect. There is nothing wrong with that and it is something that we are taught from an early age One way in which we show respect is how we treat others, i.e. opening doors for those older than us or giving up our seat on a crowded bus for an elderly person or someone who has a physical disability. If you were taught this and practice it great, you are doing the right thing, thank you.

Another way in which we show respect is how we address someone when we are talking to or about them and this has changed a lot of terminology that some of us were brought up with. We are now encouraged to use the term police officer in place of policeman as we do have female police officers, similarly with the term fire-fighter instead of fireman, we no longer have actors and actresses, they are all actors regardless of their gender. The changes in these forms of address are intended to be more respectful and inclusive and are widely accepted.

In more recent years he/she and him/her have been extended to he/she/they and him/her/them to reflect an individual's gender identity. This is something that has been asked for, and in some cases demanded and fought for by people who consider themselves gender fluid or gender neutral. Most of us accept this as every individual has the right to be addressed in a way that feels appropriate to us as individuals and our gender identity and the use of the correct pronoun is an extension of how we show, and give respect.

This all sounds fine and good and you may be wondering why I raise this in a blog. You are probably questioning and asking, what's your point? It's a good and fair question and brings me to the point of this blog. I volunteer and work with a marginalised group, no I'm not here to blow my own trumpet, I'm here to speak up for them. We all come across them from time to time and sometimes daily, who are they? They are Homeless People, often referred to as The Homeless, please note how I refer to Homeless People. I ask that we all think about this use of terminology as one is seen as derogatory and the other is not. What difference does it make? If you are a Homeless Person it can make a huge difference, I'll explain this from the point of view of a Homeless Person. If you can imagine yourself as being homeless while reading this.

The Homeless - A disrespectful term - Are generally seen as hopeless lazy people who do not want to work and beg for money. Generally seen as lower than an animal as some eat food scraps from other leftover food often found in bins. Generally seen as thieves and dishonest, they will steal from decent folk without regret or remorse. Generally seen as drug addicts who will steal to feed a habit and will hurt you if they feel a need to. Generally seen as unworthy of respect they can be ridiculed and mistreated. Generally seen as having no rights. [This is what I was told by a Homeless Man. It reminds me of how we treated other sections of society in the past, and to some degree still do, and it is seen as unacceptable.] (I will accept that some people are homeless through choice but they are a minority. When I think about the question of honesty I also think about how many people are in prison for various forms of dishonesty, most of them are from the so-called decent section of society and were not homeless, they are simply greedy.)

Homeless People/Person - A respectful term - Accepts that a Homeless Person is human and has feelings. Accepts that there are many different reasons for a person being homeless, it is not always avoidable due to individual circumstances. Accepts that a Homeless Person is worthy of respect and support. Accepts that a Homeless Person has rights. Accepts that a Homeless Person can be, and maybe, as decent, honest and trustworthy as the rest of society, they may just need the opportunity to prove this as Homeless People are always having to prove themselves when others are not. Accepts that not all Homeless People are alcoholics or drug addicts. [Again this is what I was told by a Homeless Man and I know he could have added more. He just wants to be seen as a person and treated with respect.]

I ask that in future we stop using the following terms - The Homeless, One of The Homeless.

Please use the following terms instead - Homeless People, Homeless Person.

The Homeless =Disrespectful

Homeless People/Person = Respectful