Italy’s education ministry has officially banned the use of gender-neutral symbols in schools, citing concerns over linguistic clarity and grammatical rules. The move, announced on Friday, March 21, has reignited debates about gender identity, language, and tradition in the country.
Why Did Italy Ban Gender-Neutral Symbols?
In recent years, some Italians—especially LGBTQ+ advocates and gender equality activists—have pushed for the use of neutral linguistic alternatives to address the traditionally gendered nature of the Italian language. This includes the asterisk (*) and the schwa (ə) as replacements for masculine and feminine word endings.
However, Italy’s right-wing government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has positioned itself as a defender of traditional values. In its official statement, the education ministry argued that gender-neutral symbols violate Italian grammar rules and could compromise the clarity and consistency of institutional communication.
Political and Cultural Backlash
This decision is the latest in a series of cultural and political battles under Meloni’s administration. When she took office in 2022, she made headlines by insisting on using the masculine article “il” presidente del consiglio instead of the feminine “la” presidente—a move critics saw as reinforcing male linguistic dominance.
The Italian language, like other Romance languages, assigns gendered forms to nouns and adjectives. Traditionally, the masculine form takes precedence when referring to mixed-gender groups, which some see as reinforcing male dominance.
Advocates for gender inclusivity argue that alternative symbols, like schwa and asterisks, make language more inclusive for non-binary and gender-fluid individuals. However, traditionalists and linguistic institutions, such as the Accademia della Crusca—Italy’s official language authority—have advised against their use in official documents.
What This Means for Schools and Society
With the new government directive, Italian schools will no longer be allowed to use gender-neutral markers in textbooks, official communication, and classroom materials. This decision could have a long-term impact on education, inclusivity, and freedom of expression in Italy.
Critics argue that banning these symbols sends a message of exclusion to LGBTQ+ students and anyone advocating for more inclusive language. Supporters, on the other hand, believe this is a necessary step to preserve traditional grammar and prevent what they see as unnecessary linguistic changes.
The Bigger Picture: Language vs. Identity
Italy is not the only country grappling with debates over gender-neutral language. Similar discussions have taken place in France and Spain, where governments and linguistic institutions have resisted changes to historically gendered languages.
With this new policy, Italy is taking a clear stand in the global culture war over language, gender identity, and tradition. Whether this ban remains in place or faces legal challenges remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the debate over gender and language in Italy is far from over.
