Region Syddanmark stalls LGBTQ+ health guide, citing two-gender stance

A temporary suspension was imposed on a concise handbook designed to promote LGBTQ+-friendly practices among staff in Region Syddanmark’s health system. During a business committee meeting, multiple parties expressed dissatisfaction with the draft, leading to a rejected approval. Venstre introduced an amendment, supported by Dansk Folkeparti, Danmarksdemokraterne, Liberal Alliance and De Konservative, calling for the removal of language they consider “woke,” including the gender-neutral pronoun “hen.”

Region council chair Bo Libergren explained that the region’s baseline view is that there are only two genders and that such terminology should be avoided. The proposed amendment will be considered at an upcoming council session. The handbook forms part of the region’s LGBTQ+ health strategy, which was adopted in December, and was intended to give staff practical tools for respectful patient interactions without creating new regulations.