Ireland’s national government has encouraged officials to enforce gender-neutral policy in hospitals and schools, according to media.
According to a report by news outlet Gript Media, teachers have been urged to teach children about various “Gender and Gender Identity” issues. Reference was made to “cross-dressers” and “drag queens”.
The instructions produced by Ireland’s public health service, the HSE, state teachers should encourage students from 12 to use “gender neutral” language and to refer to others using gender-neutral pronouns until their preferred identifier is ascertained.
“To further create an inclusive classroom environment, students can be encouraged to refer to ‘partners’ rather than ‘boyfriends’ or ‘girlfriends’ during discussions rather than assume a person’s gender or sexual orientation,” the document reads. “If someone in the class makes it known that they would prefer an alternative pronoun to their assumed pronoun, it would be respectful to honour that wish.”
The push has also been extended to hospitals. Staff are now being urged to use newly-created gender-neutral pronouns, such as ze and zir.
“Only use gender pronouns if you are certain of the patient’s gender identity and/or their preferred pronouns,” a practice guide for healthcare professionals in the country reads.
“Equally, it’s important to only use generic terms when referring to relationships or situations, such as the use of partner instead of wife or husband, girlfriend or boyfriend, unless you are certain,” it continues. “Keep in mind that some people use non-traditional pronouns to refer to themselves (they, ze).”
“You may need to practice [sic] using these terms if you are not familiar,” it added.
This is not the first time state officials have pushed a pro-LGBTQ ideology within Ireland’s institutions. Some teachers previously expressed fear that they could lose their jobs should they not follow the ordinances.
Others said they feared being jailed if they refused to use transgender pronouns, referring to the cause of one teacher, Enoch Burke, who was put behind bars after a row involving his refusal to use a “trans” student’s preferred pronouns escalated in the courts.
“I do what I am told, not because I believe that it is the right thing to do but because I don’t want to lose my job or end up in court like Enoch Burke,” one teacher told The Times back in March.
