Members of the Royal Navy have been told to introduce themselves with their pronouns ahead of meetings, according to official guidance.
The guidance on trans and non-binary awareness urges staff to “keep constantly educating and researching about trans matters”.
The advice, available on the Royal Navy intranet, states: “Introducing yourself with your pronouns at the start of meetings and interactions is a good way to be inclusive.”
Employees are also encouraged to “avoid micro-aggressions like backhanded compliments and unhelpful tips”.
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The advice says: “Some people do not associate with gender binary and may use different pronouns like they/them or neo-pronouns like ze/hir/hirs. You should use the pronoun that a person shares with you.”
As part of National Inclusion Week - which took place from Monday to Friday this week - the Ministry of Defence (MoD) held diversity events for staff.
It urged staff “to actively participate in as many events as possible”.
Royal Navy officers are also told to brief sailors on white privilege and intersectionality and that “different societal aspects (race, class, gender etc) of a person’s identity combine to create a unique experience of disadvantage or discrimination”.
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A Navy source told The Telegraph: “The main concern about all of this from a professional perspective is that it muddies the waters.
“If I tell a lad to fight a fire, I don’t want him saying that I’m oppressing him because of his skin colour or whatever.
“The only thing that matters in the military is that people do their jobs and work well in a team. We couldn’t care less who you sleep with or what your skin pigment is.
“If you have a good attitude, we like you. If you don’t, then we don’t like you.”
As part of National Inclusion Week - which took place from Monday to Friday this week - the Ministry of Defence (MoD) held diversity events for staff
PAThe document, which features a section on “intersectionality and privilege” claims that “if you are white, it also means you may not even be aware of the disadvantages that black, and minority ethnic people experience”.
A MoD spokesperson said: “The Royal Navy is entirely focused on protecting the UK and its interests, both at home and abroad.
“It’s important to encourage personnel to be respectful of others. However, this guidance does not reflect our standards and is currently under review.”
