A TORY councillor has blasted new badges which show whether people should be called he or she, saying the “world has gone mad”.

Councillor Dawn Barnett critricised Brighton and Hove City Council’s plans to hand out badges that give residents the chance to identify themselves however they feel appropriate rather than simply “he or she”.

The scheme, called #MyPronounsAre, aims to raise awareness of transgender and non-binary people who say their identity does not come under either male or female, and generate respect for their wishes.

But Cllr Barnett, of the Hangleton and Knoll ward, thinks the idea is overcomplicating the issue.

She said: “I think the world’s gone mad. When is this going to stop? I think it’s a crazy idea. People have been labelled all my life – it’s not something new.

“It’s making something out of nothing.”

The badges are simply labelled: she, her, hers, he, him, his, they, their, theirs, or “please use my name”.

The council has introduced them so people “cannot assume what someone’s gender identity and pronouns they use”.

Council workers will hand them out to employees and residents from their offices in the last week of the month, and they are not obligatory.

However, Cllr Barnett branded them a waste of public funds.

She said: “I think people are going to be up in arms about it.

“This is just another waste of money.

“I am sure the residents of this city will be thrilled, putting the council tax up for this.

“Their money is being wasted.”

The scheme is being supported by a number of authorities and charities including Sussex Police, NHS trusts and the University of Brighton.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) support groups including the Clare Project and Trans Alliance have also helped in setting up the campaign.

The badges will be handed out from March 26 and will coincide with International Trans Day of Visibility on March 31, which is a “day for recognising the accomplishments and contribution of trans people”.

Ludovic Foster, a volunteer for the trans helpline at Brighton at the Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard, believes the scheme is positive and supports it.

He said: “There is a lot of negativity about issues relating to trans and non-binary people. I think this is just a small way of making people feel more at ease.

“Trans people can be quite closeted for a long time, so I think to see something like badges with pronouns can make people feel at ease.”