South Denmark Region sends LGBTQ+ handbook back for revision

A proposed pocket guide on LGBTQ+-inclusive healthcare in South Denmark Region has not been approved for now, after a majority objected to its language. The guide was intended to help healthcare staff communicate with LGBTQ+ people, DR reports.

The A6 booklet was planned for staff rooms so employees could keep it in their pockets. It would include advice on pronouns and explanations of useful terms.

Venstre proposed an amendment at a meeting of the region’s executive committee, backed by the Danish People’s Party, the Denmark Democrats, the Liberal Alliance and the Conservatives. Regional council chair Bo Libergren of Venstre said the parties wanted to avoid what they called “woke ideological language”, including the pronoun “hen”. He said a majority wanted the draft returned to the administration for changes.

The amendment text says all patients should be treated respectfully, but also states that there are only two genders. It calls for sources to support claims in the handbook and for figures to be as precise as possible. It also says the region should explore support for particularly vulnerable gay people through organisations such as Sabaah. The text says ideological considerations or changes to civil registration numbers must not obstruct appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It also calls for the region’s LGBTQ+ policy to specify that women’s and men’s toilets should be provided in construction and renovation projects, with any gender-neutral toilets or changes to signs based on practical considerations.

SF regional politician Annette Blynel said the debate was not about deciding how many genders there are or whether to provide gender-neutral toilets. She said the handbook was intended to give staff tools to welcome and communicate with LGBTQ+ patients, and warned that the amendment could make the guide less clear. SF used its right to have the matter considered by the regional council.

Jess Lindholm Hammelsvang, spokesperson for Lambda, an association for LGBTQ+ people on Funen, said describing the handbook as “woke ideology” misunderstood its purpose. He said it was intended to offer knowledge and guidance, not impose new rules, and that being treated as oneself mattered to LGBTQ+ people.

The handbook is part of South Denmark Region’s policy on LGBTQ+ people’s encounters with healthcare. It was developed with Social Sundhed, a nationwide NGO working to increase social equality in healthcare. The organisation’s director, Kristina Louise Bliksted, said values-based political views should not be confused with healthcare policy, and that the healthcare system must ensure minority groups feel recognised and welcome.