It's not 'he' and 'she'. It's 'ze': Oxford University union tells students to use gender neutral pronouns so as 'not to offend transgender undergraduates'
- 'Ze' is often used by transgender people in place of traditional pronouns
- The move to use the gender neutral pronoun was outlined in a students' union leaflet
- Students hope that the use of pronouns will move to lectures and seminars
Oxford University is encouraging students to use the gender-neutral pronoun 'ze' instead of 'she and 'he'.
The students' union wrote in a leaflet that the move was intended to reduce the risk of transgender students being offended.
Students hope that the use of ‘ze’ will continue into university lectures and seminars, reported The Sunday Times.
According to Oxford University's behaviour code, using the wrong pronoun to define a transgender person is an offence.
Oxford University is encouraging students to use the gender neutral pronoun 'ze' in place of the traditional 'she' and 'he'
Peter Tatchell, an LGBT rights campaigner, told MailOnline: 'It is a positive thing to not always emphasise gender divisions and barriers.
'It is good to have gender-neutral pronouns for those who want them but it shouldn't be compulsory.
'This issue isn't about being politically correct or censoring anyone. It's about acknowledging the fact of changing gender identities and respecting people's right to not define themselves as male or female.
'Giving people the 'ze' option is a thoughtful, considerate move.'
Cambridge University made the indication that they also wanted to move in a similar direction.
Sophie Buck, welfare officer of the 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.'
Franky Sissons, a transgender student at King's College at Cambridge said: 'Gender neutral pronouns are good...It should happen in lectures too.'
The Mail on Sunday recently reported on a a guidebook for teachers, parents and pupils to that had be sent to schools around Britain advising against using language that suggests there are only two genders.
It encouraged avoiding using the terms 'boys' and 'girls' in case of potentially offending transgender pupils.
According to Oxford University behaviour code, using the wrong pronoun to define a transgender person is an offence.
Jordan Peterson, a professor in Canada, uploaded a video on YouTube discussing his refusal to use gender neural pronouns.
He said he was heckled and his office door was glued shut.
He said: 'UK universities should resist this. Whole disciplines have become irretrievable from these doctrines.'
Most watched News videos
- Valley Stream Best Buy associates gift a teen with a Wii U
- Watch woman get dragged off jet by police in Detroit
- Syria: Footage emerges of Russian special forces 'fighting ISIS'
- Trash is dumped on woman's door step after she fails to pay
- Documentary director attacked by gang of immigrants in Stockholm
- Horrifying moment woman is kicked down the stairs by stranger
- 'I'm going to wing walk!' Schofield talks to Duke about wing walk
- Hunters forced to shoot a wild bear dead as it charges towards them
- 'Scumbag unions': Chants outside Brighton rail station
- Lads post the rudest mannequin challenge from "Scottish party"
- Impressive fireball lights up Spain's Costa del Sol night sky
- 'We talked about life': Trump and Kanye discuss surprise meet
- Kanye West-wing: The Donald embraces his troubled 'friend'...
- Terminally-ill boy, five, dies in Santa Claus' arms after...
- Trump's Iran stance could threaten a WORLD WAR and the...
- Democrats' all-out bid to smear Trump's victory as Clinton...
- EXCLUSIVE: Angelina demands Brad Pitt be drug tested four...
- It's not 'he' and 'she'. It's 'ze': Oxford University union...
- Shocking moment a woman was physically dragged off a Delta...
- Bride paralyzed at her bachelorette party opens up about sex...
- Best Buy employees in Long Island chip in to buy a $300 WiiU...
- Woman left with huge bill after Plenty of Fish date eats...
- The Laughing Cavalier was a true gent and the two figures...
- Missing North Carolina girl who was last seen aged 15...