TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by adding Section 1.08.150 relating to gender references, read and adopt as read. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Per the City Council's request on December 7, 2021, attached is a Resolution declaring an Inclusive Language Policy for all future Long Beach Municipal Code (LBMC) Ordinances, Ballot Proposals for Long Beach City Charter amendments, City Council Resolutions, and City Council policies. Additionally, the accompanying Ordinance, if passed, would amend the LBMC by adding Section 1.08.150 to deem all current gender references in the LBMC as neutral and inclusive in form and context.
The Resolution and Ordinance, together, will further the City's crucial stance on non-discrimination by being inclusive of all people, regardless of their gender identities, gender expressions, and/or pronouns. The recommended action would exclude the use of gender-specific words in the aforementioned laws, resolutions, and policies, which, in turn, helps eliminate stigma and discrimination across all facets of society by embracing people of all gender identities and/or expressions for who they are.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
BODY
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AMENDING THE LONG BEACH MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING SECTION 1.08.150 RELATING TO GENDER REFERENCES
Respectfully Submitted,
CHARLES PARKIN
CITY ATTORNEY