Who else but a female legislator would care about such things? Just imagine the transformative changes that might occur if women weren't such a tiny fraction of the lawmakers in this nation.
“We make up 52 percent of the population in this state, but in the laws we’re invisible,” Rep. Cory Atkins (D-Concord) said. “I filed this to make sure women will no longer be invisible in Massachusetts law.” Her bill would ensure laws written from now on contain gender neutral phrases such as “he/she” and “his/her,” instead of the general use of “he.”
“I think it’s (expletive),” said Rep. Robert Hargraves (R-Groton) of the law. “Everybody knows the word ‘he’ is generic. It’s generic in the Bible. It’s generic in the Constitution. There’s no intent to demean the fairer sex.”
. . . While women might make up 52 percent of the state, they make up less than 25 percent of the Massachusetts Legislature, with only 39 women serving as representatives and 12 as senators. Despite some objections, Atkins expects the bill to sail through the House and be embraced by Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth). “I think she will intuitively understand the issue,” Atkins said.
Feminist News Sexist Language Equality Politics Gender New Politics Massachusetts
