The U.K. Thinks the Term 'Expectant Mothers' Could Offend Trans People

ashley.rae | January 31, 2017
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The British Medical Association published a language guide that instructs staff to refer to pregnant women as “pregnant people” instead of “expectant mothers” to avoid offending transgender people--even though only biological women can become pregnant.

According to the British Medical Association’s “Guide to Effective Communication: Inclusive Language in the Workplace” published in 2016, “A large majority of people that have been pregnant or have given birth identify as women. We can include intersex men and transmen who may get pregnant by saying ‘pregnant people’ instead of ‘expectant mothers.”

The guide has come to light just weeks after Britain discovered its first pregnant "man."

Hayden Cross, a 20-year-old who was born a woman but is taking hormones to transition into being a man, is currently pregnant with her own biological child.

While Cross is the first pregnant "man" in the United Kingdom, the first “pregnant man” in the world, was recorded in 2007.

Despite the rarity of “pregnant men,” the British Medical Association defended its language guide by saying it is part of “promoting an inclusive workplace.”

A British Medical Association spokesperson told the Telegraph, “This is a guide for BMA staff and representatives aimed at promoting an inclusive workplace at the BMA. It is not workplace guidance for doctors which is clear from the fact it does not refer to patients.”

The language guide also urges employees against using phrases like “born man” and “born woman” and encourages the use of “assigned male/female at birth” or “designated male/female at birth.”

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