Week of March 16
Gender-neutral parenting made headlines this week, with several articles discussing celebrities’ and musicians who are opting for gender-neutral baby names. Gender-neutral nurseries are another hot trend, with Pottery Barn hoping to capture the market with a new gender-neutral nursery collection. Gender-neutral parenting is also attracting attention, with advice to parents about how to raise a gender-neutral baby. Key tips include using gender-neutral toys and clothing and having a gender-neutral baby shower and nursery.
Several articles discussed an incident that occurred in Iowa in which a state trooper removed transgender students from the state Capitol’s building over bathroom usage. The state trooper requested that the students use the gender-neutral restrooms instead of the men’s restroom. After they refused, the students were kicked out of the building. An LGBTQ+ advocacy group, One Iowa, responded stating:
“Iowa law states that transgender Iowans have the right to access restrooms that match their gender identity. For these troopers to violate these children’s rights is unconscionable. To double down and eject them from the Capitol for asserting their rights under the law is unimaginable. We call on the Iowa State Patrol to issue an apology to these students and commit to training to better inform them of the protections afforded to LGBTQ Iowans so that this never happens again. To the youth whose rights were violated today – we see you and we will not stop fighting for you to exist in spaces as your authentic self.”
Other states moved to implement more gender-neutral policies. A recent New York policy gives minors the option to change their gender on their birth certificates with their parent’s permission. Some opposed this new policy claiming that there were medical concerns in which sex is important. Meanwhile, Utah residents will soon vote on replacing gendered language in the Utah Constitution with gender-neutral terminology.
Multiple articles discussed tactics on promoting gender equality in the workplace. In these articles, many advocated for job advertisements and descriptions to be gender-neutral. However, another article claimed that gender-neutral hiring practices won’t limit gender inequality in the workplace due to occupational segregation. Another article discussing workplace practices claims that Gen Z looks more deeply at a company’s ethics before taking a job, one of the factors included having gender-neutral toilets.
Schools and students are also advocating for more gender-neutral policies. Boston college students are petitioning for an LGBTQ+ resource center and gender-neutral housing. The Onteora School Board is in the works of implementing a program that would allow high school students to obtain condoms. The state would require districts to use gender-neutral language when discussing risk-reduction strategies and managing relationships. An organization that works to fight period poverty, PERIOD.UNCA, plans to provide menstrual products in all restrooms on the University of North Carolina Asheville’s campus. This includes both gender-neutral and men’s restrooms.