Oxford University students must refer to each other using gender neutral pronouns such as “ze” instead of “he” or “she”, student union officers have advised.
A leaflet distributed by the union said they hoped the move would prevent transgender students feeling offended by the use of incorrect pronouns and cut down on discrimination.
Deliberately using the wrong pronoun for a transgender person is an offence under the university’s behaviour code.
It is hoped the use of “ze” may also be used in lectures and seminars, as well as socially.
Human rights campaigner and LGBT activist Peter Tatchell welcomed the notion, adding: “This issue isn’t about being PC”.
He told The Times: “It’s about respecting people’s right to define themselves as neither male nor female.”
Gender neutral pronouns such as “xe” and “ze” have already been brought into common use at the University of Tennessee, US, and this summer the Boarding Schools’ Association issued guidance for teachers to address transgender pupils as “zie” to avoid offence.
Cambridge University is moving in the same direction, The Times reported.
Sophie Buck, welfare officer at its students’ union, said: “Events start with a speaker introducing themselves using a gender neutral pronoun. It’s part of a drive to make the union intersectional.”
