Is the Word ‘Women’ Offensive? Some Universities Think So

Universities across the nation aren’t celebrating Women’s History Month in March, opting instead to commemorate “Womxn’s History Month.”

The Womxn’s Center for Success at the University of California, Irvine, says the term acknowledges “that gender identity exists in a sphere and one word has room for multiple gender expressions without weighing one more important than another.”

“‘Womxn’ is one of a few lexical and social phenomena, including the adoption of ‘x’ in naming gender non-conforming individuals, genderqueer folxs, two spirit people, femmes, transgender folxs, and non-binary people,” the center says.

San Jose State University announced a program for its “2022 Womxn’s Herstory Month,” including an open mic night at the student union building and a Zoom poetry workshop called “Writing Our Wellness through Love, Rage, and Healing.”

Northwest Missouri State University initially used the term “womynx” but later switched to “womxn” after their announcement was mocked on social media.

A university spokesperson said the term was “intended to promote inclusivity among students.” The events planned for the month include a “reception and recognition of Influential Womxn.”

Similarly, Rider University said it used the term “womxn” to “respect the dynamic and fluid nature of gender identity and expression and to be inclusive of all people who identify as women.”

Source:

Universities announce plans for ‘Womxn’s History Month’ in bid for inclusivity