Secretary of State Blinken Advocates for Gender-Neutral Language at State Department

In a recent memo, Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of using gender-neutral terms and respecting personal pronoun choices to foster an inclusive work environment.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a memo urging State Department employees to use gender-neutral language and avoid terms like 'manpower,' 'mother,' and 'father.'
The memo, titled 'Modeling DEIA: Gender Identity Best Practices,' was sent to increase understanding of gender identity and promote an inclusive work environment.
Blinken encouraged employees to state their pronouns in email signatures and meetings to show respect and avoid misunderstandings.
The guidance also advises against pressuring someone to state their pronouns and to handle misgendering with 'subtlety and grace.'
Despite global crises, Blinken's memo highlights the administration's focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives.