Topic: Gender Inclusion

NPR recently aired a segment on the word "y'all," claiming its rising popularity among Gen Z is due to its gender-neutral and inclusive nature. The report linked the term's origins to both Scots-Irish settlers and "enslaved people," a linguistic shift from the term "slaves." Critics of the report argue that NPR is attempting to politicize a common southernism and use it to push a specific social agenda while ignoring the term's long-standing cultural roots in America.

The Boy Scouts of America announced it will change the name of its flagship program to Scouts BSA in 2019 to reflect the inclusion of girls. While the organization maintains that troops will remain single-gender, the move has drawn criticism from the Girl Scouts of the USA and traditionalists. One host recounts personal history as a Sea Scout in the Netherlands and sleeping in the historic home of founder Robert Baden-Powell.

The hosts review a document recommending "gender-inclusive" language for healthcare professionals, which advises against using terms like "mom," "dad," or "maternity unit." Suggested alternatives include "gestational parent" and "postnatal unit" to avoid assuming gender or marital status. The segment highlights the shift toward "agender" terminology in medical settings, particularly in California.

The California State Assembly passed AB 1732, requiring all single-use bathrooms in public businesses to be designated as all-gender. The hosts argue this is part of a "war on men" and criticize the politicization of restrooms. They mock the idea of requiring all-gender signs in private homes and discuss the cleanliness of public facilities.

The University of Tennessee and Harvard University have introduced guidelines for using gender-neutral pronouns such as "ze" and "xeer." The discussion critiques the rise of "Vice Chancellors of Diversity" and the potential impact on campus culture.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Pride Center released a guide requesting that faculty and students use gender-neutral pronouns such as "ze," "hir," and "xe." The guide encourages professors to ask students for their preferred pronouns during roll call to create a more inclusive environment for non-binary individuals. The initiative has sparked debate regarding the etymology of these terms and the role of diversity scholarship in academia.