Greenwich, Connecticut is past due to update our town’s outdated titles “Selectman” and “Board of Selectmen” to accurately reflect today's landscape and the reality that men are no longer the only ones who hold these positions. What's more, we have an opportunity to create a town that is gender-inclusive for generations to come.

Greenwich, Connecticut is an attractive town that offers so much for so many. We are eager to attract new residents and jobs and this is one way we can do that, by updating our language and showing that we truly are an inclusive place to live and work. 

The ask is simple. Updating our town's titles is a matter of common sense and a necessary step to reflect the current and future composition of the board that governs us. The language we are using is hangover from centuries past when only men were allowed to hold office. Nearly every other major institution, from police (policemen to police officers), fire (firemen to firefighters), the federal government, other New England towns and cities, and so many others have updated their titles. We are past due to update ours.

When First Selectman Fred Camillo raised the Pride flag at Town Hall this LGBTQ Pride Month, he said, "The town has always been a leader in being welcoming and standing for equity for everybody." Words matter. Let's make that aspiration a reality by ensuring our language is inclusive and create gender neutral titles for our town's leaders.