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California Gets More Inclusive For Gender Fluid
Words like “manhole” and other male-centric municipal code will be no more in the state of California. Berkeley, CA, a city with a long history of progressivism, is doing away with gendered words and language from its city code.
In the near future, terms like “manholes” will be referred to as “maintenance holes.”
The City Council adopted the first reading of the new ordinance this past Tuesday, further stating that in addition to many instances of “he, words with “she” would also be replaced with the gender-neutral “they.”
For example, “firemen” in Berkeley will be referred to as “firefighters,” “man-made” will be “artificial” and all instances of “men and women” will be replaced by the inclusive term, “people.”
According to City Council member and 23-year-old recent graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, Rigel Robinson, it will cost $600 to change the city code, but as he sees it, “language has power.” The measure will change more than two dozen commonly used words.
In a memorandum to council, Berkeley City Manager Dee Williams-Ridley wrote, “In recent years, broadening societal awareness of transgender and gender-nonconforming identities has brought to light the importance of non-binary gender inclusivity.”
How would you feel if your local city were to adopt such a measure?
By: Maytinee Kramer
