On Wednesday, Finnmark County Council adopted a clear response to a consultation submitted to the Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufdir), in which a majority distanced themselves from advice that calls for gender-neutral language use in the public sector. The decision marks an important political distinction and sends a clear signal that fundamental rights must be safeguarded in the face of new guidelines.
The background is Bufdir's proposed advice for public employees on how to deal with gender diversity, which recommends, among other things, avoiding terms such as "mother and father" and "boy and girl." This has sparked considerable debate, both among professionals, parents and employees in the public sector.
In Finnmark, the Conservative Party, through county council representative Truls Olufsen-Mehus, took the initiative for an alternative consultation response, prepared by Kristent Ressurssenter. The proposal received support from several parties and was adopted by 19 to 14 votes. The Conservative Party, the Nordkalottfolket, the Center Party, the Progress Party and the INP also stood as co-sponsors. Thus, the majority in Finnmark County Council supports a statement that warns against linguistic guidelines that may be perceived as binding or contrary to employees' beliefs.
The decision emphasizes, among other things, that public employees should not be required to use language or pronouns that conflict with their own conscience or beliefs. It also highlights that freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of conscience must be clearly ensured in Bufdir's advice, and that employees must have room for professional judgment – especially when dealing with children and young people.
The county council further requests that the advice be revised in cooperation with a broader expert group, including clinical and research-based communities. At the same time, it is emphasized that any advice should be presented as guiding resources, not binding requirements.
This is, as far as we know, the first political decision in an elected body where several parties come together on a joint statement that clearly sets limits on the use of mandatory language in the public sector. The decision may have significance far beyond Finnmark, and provide courage and direction to other counties and municipalities that will now process the same consultation.
Kristent Ressurssenter is following the development closely. We believe the decision from Finnmark is an important example of how it is possible to safeguard both respect for individuals and fundamental rights – without introducing ideologically driven language that challenges professionalism, conscience and freedom.
