MPs given gender neutral option when entering House of Commons
MPs being sworn into the House of Commons have for the first time been given the option of a gender neutral title.
On swearing their loyalty to Queen Elizabeth II, MPs tell Parliament chiefs how they would like to be known, and for the first time can choose ‘Mx’.
The title is a gender neutral version of Ms or Mr. The title was coined in the 1970s as a reaction to existing ‘discriminatory’ titles.
It is often used by non-binary people, or more widely by those who do not wish to identify with the traditional titles Mr, Mrs, Miss or Ms.
Other government departments, councils and banks have also recently adopted the use of the title.
According to the Sun, one MP saw the title ‘Mx’ on the forms, and said: “The suspicion is Speaker John Bercow ordered the change as part of his crusade for equality.”
A spokesman for the House of Commons told Sun Nation that the title was not added to any of the forms, but that they would accept it by any MPs were to write it down.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “This is great news and sends a positive signal to transgender people that they and their identities are welcome in Parliament.”
