Australian Defence Force guide bans soldiers from saying ‘him’ and ‘her’ to avoid LGBTI offence
SOLDIERS are being banned from using terms like “him”, “her” so they don’t offend “LGBTI” members in a new guide that says refusing to do so will be considered “bullying” and will not be tolerated.
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SOLDIERS are being told they shouldn’t use terms like “him”, “her” so they don’t offend “LGBTI” members in a new guide that says refusing to do so will be considered “bullying”.
The language guide written by the Australian Defence Force Academy began being distributed to officers in training last year as part of a politically correct push inside the military.
The document instructs soldiers to issue apologies if they use offending language and warned they be reported for “unacceptable behaviour” if the speech was deliberate.
“Use gender neutral language when referring to relationships or gender identities,” the guide says.
MORE: Read the full Australian Defence Force guide
“In the event you make a mistake, the best course of action is to apologise, listen to anything the member wishes to say in response and then move on with the conversation.
“All ADFA personnel need to appreciate that the deliberate use of non-inclusive language, exclusion and bullying due to gender diversity are some of the behaviours which can affect LGBTI members.”
ADF officers were also told not to use “pronouns or language that does not match a person’s gender identity”.
“Misgendering can have a significant effect on transgender individuals as it is often an expression of a lack of understanding of acceptance of that person’s identity,” the guide says.
The ADF released a statement today saying it had not issued a “directive” on gender-neutral language but declined to comment on the guide which encouraged staff to do so.
“There are around 80,000 personnel in the Australian Defence Force,” an ADF spokesman said.
“Supervisors and commanders are required to lead teams from all walks of life, who often work, eat and sleep in close proximity for extended periods.
“ADFA Cadets are not being told that they should not use terms like him or her.”
Defence sources say the guide is part of a politically correct push by Commandant Cheryl Pearce, who wrote in the document that the changes were required to work as a “military professional in the 21st century”.
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“To meet the challenge of leadership and military professionalism the learning environment and culture at ADFA must be inclusive and diverse,” she writes in it.
The document also encourages soldiers to be an “ally” and learn the definitions of LGBTI terms.
“Gender expression refers to the way that people demonstrate gender identity externally and normally through a combination of typically masculine, feminine or androgynous traits,” the guide says.
Senior defence sources said Defence was planning to issue a “directive” for staff to use gender neutral language going forward.
Defence last night refused to comment on the guide, with a spokesman instead saying there had been no “directive” issued on gender-neutral language.
“Members of the Australian Defence Force are required to address each other in a respectful manner,” he said.
“This includes members addressing each other by rank and using the customary military compliments.
“There will be no Defence directive on the use of gender neutral language.”
Defence Minister Marise Payne — who was not aware of the document when first contacted — denied plans to issue a directive in the future.
“The Department has not, and is not intending to, issue a Defence directive on gender-neutral language. Claims to the contrary are wrong,” she said.
The ADF has come under fire in recent years for its gender diversity push, including revelations last year that army recruiters were told to only hire women for certain roles to meet gender quotas.
It was also revealed taxpayers paid more than $1 million to pay for the sex-change surgeries of 17 defence force staff.