Greifswald in dispute: Gender stars ensure Zoff in the citizens!

Greifswald in dispute: Gender stars ensure Zoff in the citizens!

Greifswald is the focus of a heated dispute over gender-neutral language! While Mayor Stefan Fassbinder (Greens) vehemently fights for the retention of gender stars and internal I in official documents, the citizens have decided majority to reject these formulations and in the future to follow the traditional dudes and recommendations from the Council for German spelling. A bitter struggle for words that puts the city into turmoil!

But at the University of Greifswald, the topic has long been decided: since the winter semester 2019/2020, gender -friendly language has been mandatory in official documents. The Senate made this decision in April 2019. However, Jan Meßerschmidt, spokesman for the university, makes it clear that this does not apply to seminars, exams or homework. "No gender-friendly language is requested in courses. Accordingly, there are no point or grades," says Meßerschmidt. However, a recommendation for use remains, and the law for equality between women and men in the public service of the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania demands such formulations.

Gender star

The Senate decision aims to promote a gender -neutral language. Where this is not possible, the gender star should be used. "With this solution, the third gender is also included. In the Senate, this proposal was accepted with a clear majority," explains Meßerschmidt. A committed discussion process in cooperation with linguists and equal opportunities officers has paved the way to this decision. The university has already published recommendations for gender -neutral formulations, such as "students" instead of "student" and "lecturer" instead of "lecturer". Old examination regulations are gradually revised, while new regulations are consistently implemented.

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Ort	Greifswald, Deutschland