Monday, February 25, 2013



"His" and "her" incorrect

The writer below thinks "gender neutral" language still does not go far enough

A bill that aims to change the language of law to be completely gender-neutral passed out of the Washington state Senate Friday and will move on to the House of Representatives. Supporters of the bill expect it to pass. Gender neutrality in language — and in general — is an idea that does not receive much acknowledgement and I’m pleased that the Legislature has taken up the issue.

That said, the legislation fails to acknowledge people who do not identify within the gender binary — that is, those who do not identify as staunchly a “man” or a “woman.” For example, genderqueer is a non-normative expression of gender identity that varies depending on how individuals identify. It can serve as an umbrella term or an identity itself. Some genderqueer people do not identify as a man or a woman (they consider themselves agender), while others might consider themselves third-gendered, or other-gendered. These are just examples and do not fully illustrate the complexities of gender and the diversity of gender nonconforming people. For further reading, here is a website that discusses the term genderqueer.

The bill is riddled with references to “his or her” this, “he or she” that. Written law would be more inclusive if it simply used words like “individual” or “person” instead. I’m not suggesting gendered words in connection with identity be removed from culture entirely, as people often find it critical to their greater identities. I simply hope for a more inclusive approach to the law — and perhaps, a more thoughtful engagement with each other. We avoid conflict, unintended disrespect and exclusion when we don’t make assumptions about things like preferred gender pronouns.

Source

It would be a lot simpler if everybody were referred to by their  biological sex.  They can tack on modifiers as they like:  "Gay male" etc.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for posting this. Stories like this make me laugh. I found another one, ironically it's a story about black youths, but they managed to put in genderqueer nonsense as well. Her's a tidbit. Apparently they're going to create new pronouns to accomodate these mutants:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/derrick-clifton/its-about-time-we-wake-up-and-listen-to-black-youth_b_2675072.html

One such story is that of Ansheera, also known as Ace, a genderqueer college student and activist who navigates zir* family's reluctance to understand zir gender identity and sexual orientation. For most of Ace's childhood, ze felt frustration with how black youth were represented in media, which affected how Ace viewed zir own avenues of opportunity.

*"Ze" and "zir" are two gender-neutral pronouns that Ace prefers.

Anonymous said...

"Political correctness is a far greater threat to our freedom and liberty than is terrorism..."

Anonymous said...

Surely the simplest would be just to write/type the relevant pronouns as :- "s/he", "him/er", "his/ers" where both (or every!) gender may apply.

Dean said...

The ultimate goal of PC:

Do you take this person to whom
you are to be wedded for better or worse, to love and honor it for as long as . . .

. . . 32 year old person seeking person for . . .

. . . police say the murderer, described as a person is armed and dangerous. If it is seen please call . . .

Anonymous said...

Good idea Anon 3:24, but here's a better one..... he/she/it.

Anonymous said...

Did you ever stop to think that PC is actually a violation of the First Amendment, in that, it keeps people from speaking freely, openly, and honestly? Of course, that is precisely why the Left created it.

It was designed for people with weak minds who lack the will and courage to say what they mean. For many, it's so much easier than being truthful.

We have become quite pathetic, haven't we.

Anonymous said...

Be sure, genderqueer and gender free society will be the next goal for the left after gay rights, except when special privileges apply... To screw that up for the left, every man should claim to be a transgendered women and then liberals will have to stop denying reality to keep special privileges for women going.

Malcolm Smith said...

The interesting thing was idea that everybody should identify others by how they self-identify, rather than on objective lines.
One thing is certain: it is getting harder and harder to think up April Fool's Day hoaxes, because the real news is becoming more and more ridiculous.

Anonymous said...

Things are bad when Seattle is legislating for non-thingummy official language while Portland is leaving the whole thing as semi-voluntary, with just a little social ostracism as incentive to conform. God, the whole Pacific North West is becoming Seattle-centric. Never mind, anything Washington legislators can do, the Fair Trade coffee clutchers of Portland can equal.

Bird of Paradise said...

When it comes to the law makers theres no common sense with these briandead idiots. But as they say ITS HARD TO FLY LIKE A EAGLE WHEN YOUR WORKING FOR TURKEYS

Anonymous said...

Um, sorry, but "person" won't cut it because it contains the word "son" which is clearly sexist and demeaning.

TheOldMan said...

How about "innie" and "outie"?