2015 Financial Times Article written by 'Pips Bunce'
'Mx matters as much as Lord, Prof, Ms and Mr
How companies choose to treat their trans employees affects moral and commercial success'
(extract)
"In August, the honorific Mx was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. It is used by men and women who do not wish their title to convey their gender and is similar to Ms, which is used by women who find it unnecessary for their title to indicate marital status. The term’s inclusion is the latest example of an increasing awareness of gender identity. Some banks and city councils have added Mx as an option on forms and the Swedish language recently added the gender-neutral “hen”. Meanwhile, Facebook offers 71 sexual orientation and gender markers and allows users to add their own.
So what is in a name and why should it matter? To many trans people (a wide range of individuals who do not see themselves in traditional gender terms) the use of correct names and pronouns is very important as this gesture signifies respect and understanding. We are quite comfortable respecting academics with titles such as Professor and Dr, aristocrats with Lord or Viscount, and those knighted by the Queen, and their wives, as Sir and Lady. We do this — in some cases, whether we agree or not — because the individual sees such honorifics as a fundamental part of who they are.
The LGBT community has so many labels that it is unsurprising some people find the subject of gender identity confusing, or even infuriating. There are some basic concepts to keep straight: sexuality is simply who a person is attracted to. Most people are either straight, gay or bisexual, although there are many others who define themselves differently. Gender identity and gender expression, meanwhile, are distinctly separate constructs." (Continues)
Gender expression, however, is an external presentation of gender. An individual may choose to present as male, female or androgynous for various stints of time. But generally, these people have no desire to change sex.
I, for example, consider myself as gender fluid or gender variant. I like to be Phil one day and Pippa another, using different forms of dress and make-up to do so. I do it at home and at work. I am straight, have been married for more than 20 years and have two children.
I understand that for some people it may be hard to accept. They argue that at almost every place of work we have to conform in one way or another. Indeed, gender expression still operates within some boundaries, such as dress code.
But there is a real value in allowing employees to bring their authentic selves to work, whether they be gender variant, gay, women, Sikh or simply eccentric. Companies are beginning to understand such openness increases employee engagement, discretionary effort and productivity while developing an inclusive culture within the workplace that benefits retention and recruitment." (continues)
www.ft.com/content/08f4b532-70c8-11e5-9b9e-690fdae72044
Photograph from article presumably illustrating how one stands differently to be photgraphed in a lift as a 'man' and a 'woman'?