British Red Cross urges staff to use 'inclusive' language and avoid terms like 'biological female' and 'maiden name'

British Red Cross logo/Gay pride flag

The dossier drew ire from those on the right who have accused the charity of "political extremism"

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James Saunders

By James Saunders


Published: 27/08/2024

- 22:34

Updated: 27/08/2024

- 22:48

Staff should refer to illegal migrants as people 'in search of safety' or a 'person experiencing migration' in the 'woke' dossier

The British Red Cross has been slammed for a "woke" new "inclusive language guide" advising employees to stop using traditional English-language terms.

The centuries-old charity - which boasts the King as a patron - has told staff to use more "acceptable" terms, and is understood to have circulated a 12-page dossier detailing the new "suggestions".


Descriptions such as "born a man or woman" and "biological male or female" have been clamped down on - attracting ire from those on the right who have accused the charity of "political extremism".

Elsewhere in the guide, staff planning on "solely referring to women" have been told they could instead say "women, girls and people who menstruate" or "people who have periods" instead.

King Charles

King Charles is a patron of the British Red Cross

PA

The 12-page pamphlet, unearthed by the Daily Mail, is also understood to have told staff that "people who are not women" can have periods and even get pregnant.

"Ladies and gentlemen" and "maiden name" have also been damned by the dossier, with employees told the terms are "not inclusive".

It also calls for the use of "gender-neutral titles and/or titles that do not indicate a marital status" like "Mx" instead of Mr or Mrs, as well as transgender people's right to access whichever toilet or changing facility they choose.

The guide is said to claim that a "trans woman is as much of a woman" as someone born with female genitals.

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Trans pride flag/British Red Cross office

The pamphlet is understood to have told staff that "people who are not women" can have periods and even get pregnant

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The dossier also suggests staff refer to illegal migrants as people "in search of safety" or a "person experiencing migration", while those from a "minority ethnic group" should be represented as "from a minoritised ethnic group" or the so-called "global majority".

But it's coming to light immediately came under fire from public figures.

Esther McVey, the former Tory "minister for common sense", slammed the British Red Cross's guide as "woke nonsense".

She told the Mail: "I am sorry the British Red Cross has fallen victim to such woke nonsense.

British Red Cross logo

The British Red Cross's guide was slammed as "woke nonsense"

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"One can only hope they go back to spending their money and focus on helping people - instead of it being hijacked by political extremists to foist this nonsense on everyone."

A British Red Cross spokesman said: "As a humanitarian organisation operating in communities across the UK and globally, we are committed to working with, building trust and providing support to people in crisis, no matter who they are.

"We have developed guidance to help our staff and volunteers feel more confident when speaking with or writing about different communities and people, so that we can provide the best possible support to anyone who needs it.

"The guidance provides suggestions rather than rules - and we have included some explanations as to why some terminology is preferable."

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