In a motion, a representative from the Left in the Church of Sweden (Visk) proposes that the Church of Sweden should take another step to the left and make its language more inclusive.
It is Britt Björneke, a member for Visk, who in a motion to this year’s Church Assembly proposes that the Church Order and other governing documents of the Church of Sweden be revised to avoid gendered pronouns. “He” and “she” would be replaced with “hen”.
Björneke argues that this would help more people—such as those who do not identify as male or female—feel included.
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– It is about having respect for people, regardless of whether they are non-binary or binary. We want the Church of Sweden to celebrate diversity and welcome everyone, both in texts and in physical meetings, says Britt Björneke to Kyrkans tidning.
She argues that “hen” is a good word, which she also uses in her work as a judge and writes in her verdicts.
Increased Inclusion
According to Björneke, the motion is part of a larger effort for increased inclusion within the church.
– If we are to be a church that represents diversity and reaches out to everyone, people should be able to recognize themselves in our texts. That shows that we accept people as they are.
Even if the motion does not pass, Björneke believes that changes may happen—if not specifically “hen,” then perhaps just dropping “he” or “she” altogether without substitution.