1.04.035 Gender-neutral language.
A. The recitals and findings contained in the preamble to the ordinance codified in this section are adopted by reference and incorporated as if fully set forth in this section.
B. The pronouns throughout the municipal code are amended to promote gender-neutral pronouns.
C. Subject to final approval by the city attorney, the city’s codifier, Code Publishing Company, has authority to degenderize the Bothell Municipal Code and update pronouns when appropriate and also includes the updating of future ordinances by making changes such as the following:
1. Gendered subject (he, she, etc.), object (him, her, etc.) and possessive (his, hers, etc.) pronouns shall be replaced by a gender-neutral description of the pronoun referent’s title of office, employment or descriptor. For example, where a code section refers to a “director” all subsequent gendered pronouns shall be replaced by “the director” in the subjective case, “that director” in the objective case and “the director’s” in the possessive case.
2. Table 1* lists commonly encountered titles of office, employment and descriptors. All gendered pronouns within the Bothell Municipal Code that refer back to a title of office, employment or descriptor found in Table 1 shall be replaced by the subjective, objective or possessive form of that title of office, employment or descriptor, as the case may be. Table 1 is nonexhaustive and may be amended from time to time.
3. Each specifically gendered term identified in column A of Table 2*, and which is also found within the Bothell Municipal Code, shall be replaced by the corresponding nongendered term identified in column B. Table 2 is nonexhaustive and may be amended from time to time.
* Code reviser’s note: Tables 1 and 2 are attached to the ordinance codified in this section and are on file in the city clerk’s office.
(Ord. 2278 §§ 1 – 3, 2019).