Week of April 6

There were multiple articles stressing the importance of affirming one’s gender identity. A study was recently published that showed how proper training for healthcare workers on how to provide gender-affirming care could result in a decrease of HIV transmissions amongst transgender youths. Other articles discussed the importance of using gender-neutral pronouns. One article explained that the usage of “he or she” is outdated and that people should use “they” since not everyone falls into the binary of man or woman. The governor of Virginia recently signed a law requiring the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to provide a gender-neutral option on driver’s licenses for nonbinary people.

Several articles discussed how the workforce is embracing gender-neutral policies in order to promote gender equity in the workplace. Wiltshire Police is working to enlist more women on the police force by “introducing gender-neutral language across recruitment processes”. Nestlé recently released its “Creating Shared Value Progress Report 2019”, which included introducing a gender-neutral parental support policy for all employees. A couple articles discussed how Millenials and Gen-Z are more brand conscious and tend to care more about companies implementing gender-neutral policies. The Harvard Business Review published an article about how companies “can’t ignore shifting gender norms”. In the article, they praised certain brands that embraced gender-neutral approaches, such as Mattel and their gender-neutral dolls. 

There was also a lot of conversation around gender-neutral fashion in the media this week. An article released a Global Gender-Neutral Clothing Market Report examining the size of this industry by analyzing past data and future prospects. Several articles highlighted gender-neutral clothing as trendy. An assistant professor of textiles, merchandising and fashion design at the University of Nebraska discussed how the industry is headed towards creating more gender-neutral clothing. One article highlighted fashion designers that specialize in creating gender-neutral clothing. The article discussed the designer’s inspirations and opinions about the fashion industry. One designer stated that gender-neutral clothing “shouldn’t be a statement anymore or considered edgy”. 

Gender-neutral parenting was another topic in the news this week with articles about gender-neutral nurseries and children’s books. Multiple articles discussed gender-neutral baby names. One article mentioned a free literacy program online for newborns to 5 years old children called First 5 Forever. The program is personalized to the child, such as their name and age, and includes gender-neutral options.