Gender Neutrality in Education

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Some articles discussed a push for gender neutrality in education and schools. The Human Rights Council at Southern Methodist University are boycotting the university’s homecoming due to the unfulfilled promises about gender-neutrality. In their open letter the Human Rights Council stated that several other clubs will continue to boycott Homecoming until the following gender-neutral policy changes are made:

  1. Abolish all uses of gendered language in the Homecoming process, including the phrases “Homecoming Queen” and “Homecoming King”;
  2. Enable all participating organizations to nominate up to two candidates for Homecoming Royalty, regardless of sex or gender identity;
  3. Provide all students the opportunity to cast votes for up to two candidates for Homecoming Royalty on a single ballot page that is not separated by sex or gender identity; and
  4. Select winners and runners-up for Homecoming Royalty in a gender-neutral manner.

In other news, Pearson, a large education company, will begin to produce textbooks that flip gender stereotypes, such as promoting “women and girls in traditionally masculine roles and vice versa”. The textbooks also plan to use gender-neutral terms whenever possible.