Week of May 11
Due to the current global pandemic, this week’s news about gender neutrality was very minimal. Those articles that did pop up tended to focus on the pandemic. One article discussed the potential adjustments that need to occur for public restrooms due to coronavirus, including making them gender-neutral. The American Restroom Association is encouraging single use gender-neutral restrooms as part of a strategy of reducing spread of the virus. Another article highlighted how the response to the coronavirus pandemic should not be gender-neutral, given that covid-related unemployment is disproportionately affecting women globally.
Gender-neutral policies were another topic discussed this week. During a virtual fundraising event, Joe Biden advocated for offering gender-neutral markers, for those not wanting to mark male or female, on voter registration cards. In Lincoln, Nebraska voters approved the Gender Neutral References to Mayoral Office Charter Amendment in which all the mayor’s pronouns on the city’s charter will be switched to gender-neutral ones. Other articles observe how some policies that are gender-neutral on their face are actually discriminatory. A gender-neutral policy regarding height requirement for Italian firefighters has effectively kept women out of the occupation. In the words of the UN Human Rights Committee, “establishing a minimum height requirement of 165 cm, well above the female average, the State party effectively excluded many women candidates from firefighting posts.”
Schools are also adopting more gender-neutral policies. As of this week, students in Philadelphia are able to change their name and pronouns in the school district system without their parent’s permission. Meanwhile, the Clayton School Board is looking to install gender-neutral bathrooms in every school in the district in order to provide safety for transgender students.
The use of the term gender neutral has been featured as a marketing strategy for brands, whether it’s selling clothes, chairs, or perfumes. One article highlighted a gender-neutral jewelry brand from the Phillipines called Pattaraphan. Other articles note high-end brands, such as Salvatore Ferragamo, providing an eco friendly gender-neutral collection in order to appeal to Gen Z customers. An article analyzing the attitudes of Gen Z noted their openness and familiarity with gender-neutral pronouns, more so than any past generation.
Gender-neutral fashion was another trend in the news this week. Several articles discussed how Grace Kelly’s granddaughter, Pauline Ducruet, has created a gender-neutral clothing line that is inspired by her family. One article about gender-neutral clothing highlighted a queer and women owned gender-neutral underwear line that was created for trans and gender nonconforming individuals. Another article discussing gender-neutral loungewear brands stated that “gender-neutral clothing is designed without a specific gender demographic in mind. It does away with the preconceived notions about how men, women, or non-conforming people should dress—simply put, it’s clothing for all people.”
Gender-neutral parenting was also featured this week. Several articles continue to discuss Elon Musk and Grimes’ baby and their gender-neutral parenting choices. One article discussed how to parent in a gender-neutral fashion stating, “In practice, this form of parenting makes the child in-charge of their interests, and regardless of their gender, they are free to explore their likes and dislikes without any kind of influence and interference from the society.” Another article highlighted a children’s book author who made the main character of their newest book gender neutral. Others listed 10 gender-neutral baby names inspired by tarot cards.