On Inclusive Language

Gender inclusive language is not an attack on your being cis. It is, however, a small step in equalling the playing field of medical environments, scientific discussion and educational settings.

(An image of a trans female patient speaking with a trans male doctor)

For context, earlier this year, I gave birth. Throughout my pregnancy, I had to endure being misgendered and feeling out of place at hospital and midwife appointments. I have rhesus negative blood. This means I have to have a lot of anti-D injections at the hospital to stop my body making antigens against my baby in the instance my baby has rhesus positive blood. I also had symptoms of pre-eclampsia and unrelated, often went into ketosis. For both of these conditions, you have to pee into a lot of cups for protein, ketone and sugar checks of your urine. The toilet on the Antenal Baby Clinic (ABC) ward was a singular accessible toilet. Now you might think “it’s a singular toilet, what’s exclusionary about that?” Well, the big sign on the outside that reads:

THIS TOILET IS FOR FEMALE PATIENTS ONLY. MALE VISITORS TO THE WARD MUST USE THE VISITORS TOILETS IN THE ENTRANCE

Ah. Yikes. Suddenly trans man me feels guilty about using a toilet that is obviously only intended for use by cis women because of course, only cis women can be pregnant and need care on the ABC ward.

Throughout my entire pregnancy, I felt excluded and uncomfortable, all because of the non-inclusive language that is used.

(An image of two students in a gender neutral bathroom)

Recently, CNN was blasted on Twitter for using inclusive language in an article discussing cervical cancer. They used the phrase “individuals with a cervix” (1). Now, I myself am an individual with a cervix, not a woman. I need to be aware of cervical cancer and HPV and other cervical illnesses and infections. Reading articles that actually use inclusive language is a breath of fresh air, especially from a huge news corporation like CNN. It is an amazing step towards inclusivity and for me personally, brings a little smile to my face knowing not only are the editors at CNN starting to progress, but there are going to be a lot of pissed off transphobes reading the article.

But of course, let’s not pretend this is just a trans issue. There are cis women who may have had medical procedures to remove their cervix or were not born with one. There are intersex people who have a cervix. Inclusive language ensures all of these people feel included and are well informed, it is not just ensuring trans men feel comfortable.

Cis people who are feeling threatened by the use of inclusive language are not just undermining and endangering the health of trans people, they are also harming fellow cis people and intersex and non-binary people. Cis individuals have had language solely targetted to their comfort and bodies for years within a medical, educational and professional environment. The world is moving on and expanding and fast becoming more diverse, our language should too. Pregnancy is no longer a solely cis female issue. People with cervixes are no longer just cis women. Sexual and reproductive health is no longer a male or female problem.

All images featured in this post are from https://genderphotos.vice.com/

I highly recommend this site for free stock images that include trans and non-binary models and situations.

(1) https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/30/health/new-cervical-cancer-screening-recommendations-wellness/index.html