THEATRES are being encouraged to stop calling their patrons ‘ladies and gentlemen’. The actors’ union Equity wants venues to adopt ‘gender-neutral terminology for collective calls, both front of house and backstage’.
Some LGBT campaigners argue that phrases such as ‘ladies and gentlemen’ are outdated and inappropriate for those who identify as neither male nor female.
In 2017 Transport for London dropped ‘Ladies and gentlemen’ from its announcements in favour of phrases such as ‘Good morning everyone’.
Is ‘ladies and gentlemen’ a mildly old-fashioned politeness or a ruthless homophobic attack on the LGBT lobby? Discuss!
