James Paget Hospital's Gender Guidance Sparks Debate

James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth has issued guidance advising staff to use the term 'assigned male/female at birth' instead of 'born male or female' to promote inclusivity within the LGBTQ+ community. The guidance, part of a document titled 'Celebrating Pride', includes a glossary of LGBTQ+ terminology and suggests avoiding certain binary language that could exclude non-binary individuals. Critics, including Professor Karol Sikora and Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, have called the guidance 'ludicrous' and 'bonkers', arguing that it denies biological reality and misleads about the nature of sex assignment at birth. The guidance also discourages using terms like 'ladies and gentlemen' and gender-specific job titles, suggesting alternatives that are more inclusive. The hospital has refrained from commenting further on the matter, which has sparked significant public debate and controversy. These actions reflect ongoing societal discussions about gender identity and inclusivity in language within healthcare settings.