Thursday, July 18, 2019

Berkeley, California eliminates term ‘manhole’ in push to remove gendered language



By Jackie Salo

July 18, 2019 | 2:23pm


Getty Images/iStockphoto

The term “manhole” is being flushed out of a city’s code in an attempt to remove the gendered language.

The ultra-liberal California city of Berkeley approved an ordinance Tuesday to rename the metal discs “maintenance holes” during a push for a gender-neutral code, SF Gate reported.

Other changes include “human effort” in place of manpower; “beneficiaries” instead of heirs; “guards” to replace watchmen; and “humanmade” instead of manmade.

All pronouns will also be changed throughout the city code to “they.”

Gendered professional terms such as “fireman,” “firewoman” and “craftsman” will also be nixed for gender-neutral alternatives.

Council members unanimously approved the ordinance, which is estimated to come at a cost of $600 to taxpayers, Berkleyside reported.





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