Gender-Neutral Language

Multiple articles addressed gender-neutral language this week. One article discussed the importance of gender-neutral job titles and descriptions  in order for nonbinary individuals to feel accepted and included. Several articles voiced their distaste towards the BBC after using the gender-neutral term “fisherpeople” instead of “fishermen.” One female fisherman commented, “I am 100 percent a fisherman. There is no such thing as a fisherwoman. We are all fishermen. It is a gender-neutral word.” Meanwhile, one article questioned if the term “dude” is gender neutral. 

An article on how to be a better ally to trans and nonbinary people mentioned being “mindful of phrases or terms that are inherently gendered” and to try to incorporate gender-neutral language in one’s vocabulary. Another article on how to make social media more accessible and inclusive mentioned using gender-neutral terms. Westwood High School in Austin, Texas has changed their homecoming court to gender-neutral titles of “homecoming royalty” instead of homecoming king and queen. The high school has transitioned to gender-neutral terms in order to be more inclusive of nonbinary individuals.