Gender-Neutral Language In Red Bank Boro Operations On Council Agenda

RED BANK, NJ - A move seeking to change gendered language used at Red Bank council meetings, in committee documents and borough correspondence is up for discussion on Wednesday, according to municipal documents.

Resolution No. 23-54 seeks to implement gender-neutral language in all official written and verbal communications by Red Bank, including officially tweaking the title of “councilman” or “councilwoman” to “councilmember.”

“The Borough recognizes that gender-neutral language is a generic term covering the use of non-sexist language, inclusive language, or gender-fair language, that the purpose of gender neutral language is to avoid word choices that may be interpreted as biased, discriminatory, or demeaning by implying that one sex or social gender is the norm,” the resolution reads.

“Using gender-neutral language also helps reduce gender stereotyping, promotes social change, and contributes to achieving gender equality,” the resolution continues.

Changes that would be implemented by the borough should the resolution pass include:

• Updates to the Red Bank Borough Code to replace gender-specific with gender-neutral language
• Updates to the language used in procedural meetings, staff presentations, official videos and other verbal communications “wherever practical and possible”
• The utilization of gender-neutral language in upcoming committee and council meetings, including in future resolutions, ordinances, amendments or additions to borough code
• The implementation of gender-neutral language in official documents and non-verbal communications from boards, commissions and committees
• Training provided by the borough to increase understanding of gender-neutral borough operations

The resolution was first brought up during a January meeting by councilmember Jacqueline Sturdivant, Red Bank Green first reported.

“We’re moving toward gender-neutral titles for council, which is essentially going to be ‘councilmember,'” Sturdivant said in January, the outlet reported, which may allow for “a bit of equity and people being able to share their abilities and make contributions to the organization.”

The move is also expected to demonstrate and enhance the borough’s commitment to “being a safe, inclusive, diverse, and welcoming community,” according to the resolution, as “linguistic conventions that differentiate and identify people by perceived gender may fail to respect the broad spectrum of sex, gender, gender identity, and gender expression of those individuals living, working, and visiting our community.”

You can view the full agenda here.

The Red Bank Borough Council is set to meet at Borough Hall (90 Monmouth Street) at 6:30 p.m.