ECB adds Genderbread Person to language guide despite widespread criticism

02 March 2023 , 15:35

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The ECB is using a "Genderbread Person" to its inclusive language guide (Image: ECB via Getty Images)

A controversial "genderbread person" diagram is being used in the England and Wales Cricket Board's latest guide promoting inclusive language.

The diagram was initially drawn up to illustrate the differences between gender identity, gender expression, sex and sexual orientation.

And the creators at “itspronouncedmetrosexual.com” promote updated versions of the annotated "genderbread" as a teaching tool to help "break the big concept of gender down into bite-sized, digestible pieces." It is advertised as a "tasty little guide" which is "meant to be an appetiser for gender understanding."

But the drawing was also ridiculed as "unscientific nonsense" by some critics including the LGB Alliance charity when introduced by NHS Wales to promote inclusivity within the health board last year.

The model has been condemned by many for the implication that you are "assigned" a sex at birth and that biological sex is a spectrum.

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"Sex is the physical traits you're born with or develop that we think of as 'sex characteristics,' as well as the sex you are assigned at birth," the annotated diagram reads.

The ECB have not been perturbed by previous criticism of the diagram, with Telegraph Sport reporting that it is being used "prominently" in a revised guide on the sensitivities around language in the sport and society as a whole.

The ECB are driving to make the game more inclusive across England and Wales, and the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC) is soon set to publish its findings on issues of race, gender and class, following the Yorkshire racism scandal that has engulfed the sport.

The "genderbread" model has previously been subjected to ridicule (INTERENET PICTURE)

An ECB spokesperson told Mirror Sport: "The Genderbread model explains four components of human identity, considering the differences between biological sex and gender identity/expression while also separating out attraction.

"Our inclusive language guide, which covers many of the protected characteristics, was designed to help people feel more knowledgeable in understanding a societal landscape which for some, must feel as if it is rapidly changing. It has been publicly available for over 12 months and has always included the Genderbread model.

"It is widely accepted that inclusive language can help to promote and embed equity, diversity and inclusion and we believe the more we practice empathy, consider the impact of the words, and phrases we use, the better our sport will be for all.’’

Ben Parsons