General Discussion

Okay, I tend to like to use the words that make up DEI.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion.
Identity fits in really well with all of them, but Identity is not the focus. The focus is "Diversity" - casting your information and experience net as far as you can
"Equity" - providing necessary resources so there is not a recipient that is left disadvantaged more than others; or using actual, objective merit of the criteria you are using to perform the task or what you are looking for in a candidate and applying that equally across all your choices.
"Inclusion" - not disregarding a candidate based on stereotype or prejudice if that candidate meets all objective criteria.
Just because "She looks too young and girly, He looks like roadkill in homeless clothes, They look too ethnic or weird..." Those are, like, Your Opinion, dude".
..that young looking girly girl might also be a Tai kwando black belt who runs two miles and powerlifts 200 lbs daily - and can probably kick Kegsbreath's ass from DC to Tijuana any day of the week.
Hell, "Girly Girl" was my then 26 year old neighbor ten years ago; SDFD hired her after a stint as a Marine grunt (for the GI bill) as a firefighter and she was working her way to LT when we moved and lost track.
So, hurray for DEI! F*** "Identity politics", that's a Right Wing Meme, like "Welfare Queen"