A pensioner has been fired from a volunteer position at the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society because she “asked what pronouns meant”.
Fran Itkoff, 90, had been volunteering with the charity for over 60 years. She was gobsmacked when bosses forced her to step down after an email exchange with colleagues regarding pronouns.
The 90-year-old from California was allegedly asked by an unnamed worker at the non-profit group to use her pronouns, however, Itkoff did not understand the request.
“I was confused. I didn’t know what it was and what it meant,” she said.
Fran Itkoff has been fired from her role at a charity because she was unsure what pronouns to use for her co-worker
Facebook“Because it sounds like you are labelling for females, not males, if you are just putting in she/her,” she said during an interview with Libs of TikTok.
A couple of days later, Itkoff received an email accusing her of violating the charity’s guidelines on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
The Long Beach Lakewood division of the charity said in a statement: “Recently, a volunteer, Fran Itkoff, was asked to step away from her role because of statements that were viewed as not aligning with our policy of inclusion.
“Fran has been a valued member of our volunteer team for more than 60 years. We believe that our staff acted with the best of intentions and did their best to navigate a challenging issue.
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Martina Navratilova, a Czech–American former professional tennis player, has slammed the charity
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“As an organisation, we are in a continued conversation about assuring that our diversity, equity and inclusion policies evolve in service of our mission, and will reach out to Fran in service of this goal.”
Many on social media have slammed the decision, with celebrities even chiming in.
Martina Navratilova, a Czech–American former professional tennis player who is considered one of the greatest of all times, said: "This is the opposite of progress."
Julie Bindel, co-founder of the law reform group Justice for Women, said: “What has been done to this woman in the name of ‘progress’ is one of the sickest examples of this vile movement.”
Itkoff was accused of violating the charity’s guidelines on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
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One user said: "Imagine. After all those years helping that charity she is tossed to the curb like garbage by the gender mob. This story really burns me up."
A second quipped: "I presume the MS Society also only wants donations from those who adhere to their inclusivity stance."
"Surely this is illegal? Pronoun use isn't the law," questioned a third.
Elle Hamilton, Itkoff's daughter, said: "To me it's ironic, because they are saying they are inclusive, but they are excluding a 90-year-old disabled woman who has volunteered for 60 years.
"And literally the sole purpose was to help the MS patients and find a cure. That's literally all she does," she added.
