05 Dec Gender-Specific Pronouns Removed From County Ordinance Code

(Image courtesy of Contra Costa County via Bay City News)

By Joe Porrello

A unanimous vote Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors ratified an update removing all gender-specific pronouns from the Contra Costa County Ordinance Code, which had 841 examples of words like “his” in about 1,300 pages.

Controlling areas such as zoning, revenue and finance, as well as health and safety, the County Ordinance Code had not experienced an extensive evaluation since it was last amended over 50 years ago.

Gender pronouns in the code were substituted with generic signifiers like “the department head,” thus providing more inclusivity for community members. The code now also uses they/them for individuals.

The change is an element of continuous efforts by the county to update its language seen in all local regulations and procedures — present and to come.

“Contra Costa County is a community for all, and our policies should reflect our dedication to serving everyone,” said Board Chair and District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover in a press release. “By updating our County Ordinance Code, we’re delivering on our commitment to create meaningful change that benefits all residents.”

The proposal was sponsored by the County Administrator’s Office in partnership with the County Counsel’s Office, with advice from the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice.

District 1 Supervisor John Gioia, the chair of the coard’s Equity Committee, said in the release that the change reflects today’s reality and “turns the page on a practice that has no place in county policy.”