The phrase 'All the ladies and males in attendance' is acceptable gender-inclusive wording.

The phrase 'All the ladies and males in attendance' is acceptable gender-inclusive wording.

• A. True
• B. Not sure
• C. Partially
• D. False

Answer: (D)

Inclusive language means addressing everyone in the group without assuming or carving out only two genders. The phrase in question uses two gendered labels—ladies for women and males for men—and then says “in attendance.” That leaves out anyone who doesn’t identify as a woman or a man, such as nonbinary or gender-nonconforming people. Because it relies on a binary, it isn’t truly inclusive, so it isn’t acceptable as gender-inclusive wording. A better choice would be something like “All attendees” or “Everyone in attendance,” which speaks to the whole group without restricting by gender.

Inclusive language means addressing everyone in the group without assuming or carving out only two genders. The phrase in question uses two gendered labels—ladies for women and males for men—and then says “in attendance.” That leaves out anyone who doesn’t identify as a woman or a man, such as nonbinary or gender-nonconforming people. Because it relies on a binary, it isn’t truly inclusive, so it isn’t acceptable as gender-inclusive wording. A better choice would be something like “All attendees” or “Everyone in attendance,” which speaks to the whole group without restricting by gender.