Backlash over suggested new term for "pregnant woman"
<p><span>Melbourne radio host Tom Elliott critiqued "politically correct idiocy" that he believes is filtering into Australia from the UK.</span><br /><br /><span>Elliot accused the UK of trying to "de-genderise the English language", and labelled it "very strange stuff".</span><br /><br /><span>His anger stems from the call to change the term “breastfeeding” to “chest feeding” as a way to be inclusive.</span><br /><br /><span>The move was followed by a similar decision made by the Australian National University.</span><br /><br /><span>"ANU is committed to equity and diversity and ensuring we reflect the broad nature, background and experiences of Australians and our society, as well as a being a safe and welcoming campus for all people," a university spokesperson informed Yahoo News Australia last week.</span></p>
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<p><span>Harriet Shing, Victoria's first openly gay female MP, called for inclusive language to start being used in Australia.</span><br /><br /><span>This includes the removal of gender when referring to someone who is pregnant.</span><br /><br /><span>The Australian National University’s Gender Institute guide also has similar advice and suggests using the terms “gestational” or “birthing parent” rather than “mother”, and the terms “non-gestational” or “non-birthing parent” rather than “father”.</span><br /><br /><span>“This is madness in the UK and they’re pursuing this politically correct idiocy with great fervour over there [and] it is spreading here," Elliott said on 3AW.</span><br /><br /><span>On Thursday, the use of the term “person” over “mother” in legislation allowing cabinet ministers maternity leave was rejected.</span><br /><br /><span>"This amendment means the law will no longer protect trans and non-binary individuals as it should," transgender charity Mermaid said in response.</span></p>
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<p><span>"This is yet another example of an insidious campaign that follows a pattern of taking a minority group and portraying them as a threat to women, but providing no evidence."</span><br /><br /><span>Elliott's angry words follow behind toy giant Hasbro who announced it would be dropping the honourifics from Mr and Mrs Potato Head.</span></p>
