Brighton councillors consider abolishing 'Mr' and 'Mrs'

Brighton and Hove Council is reportedly considering the abolition of the terms 'Mr' and 'Mrs'.

The recommendation is made in a paper published by the council's Trans Equality panel.

It suggests that titles like Mr, Mrs, Miss and Ms might offend members of the transgender community.

The paper will be presented to councillors for consideration at a full council meeting in December.

If it is approved, all titles will be dropped from official council forms and paperwork.

Green Party deputy leader Coun Phelim MacCafferty said: "Trans people aren't necessarily male or female and sometimes they don't want to be defined by their gender.

"Putting Mr and Mrs on a form is completely useless. This is an issue that concerns most institutions from banks to mobile phone companies.

"Why is Mr on my debit card, for instance? I don't understand why it's there.

"We should at least examine the issue and we will have the recommendations early next month."