Conflict Ensnarls Gender-Neutral Forms

The State Department has reneged slightly on a move to swap the titles of "mother" and "father" for the more gender-neutral term "parent" on forms to apply for passports and reports of overseas births, The Washington Post reports.

It was reported last week that the Consular Report of Birth Abroad forms, which ensure citizenship for children born outside the United States to expatriate American parents, would soon reflect the changes. The latest change will now ask for the identities of "mother or parent 1" and "father or parent 2."

While there was acclaim for the initial change by gay and lesbian groups, antigay groups, like the Family Research Council claimed the change was an attack on family values.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was not aware that the terms "mother" and "father" would be completely stricken from the forms and then directed the latest change.