Navigating Pronouns: An Easy Guide to Gender Inclusivity

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to prioritize navigating pronouns and gender inclusivity by getting out more and making new friends. At 18, I frequented the city and the cross, so I opted to explore another part of Sydney. Following the rainbow road led me to Newtown, a vibrant hub. For my LGBTQIA+ peers, Birdcage on Wednesdays at Sly Fox and Girlthing on the first Friday of each month at the Emperial Hotel are fantastic spots to connect with the community.

Why is Navigating Pronouns Essential for Inclusive Communication?

Now, the point of my article today. I’ve been meeting a lot of people who have asked me to use the pronouns they/them when referring to them. I’ll be completely honest I had no idea what they were talking about when they asked me that, so I kindly asked them to explain.

The person I talked to said they identify as both male and female, so they prefer they/them pronouns. But that’s just one preference; some people don’t like labels, others don’t identify with any gender, or they may identify with the opposite gender without transitioning. It’s a big spectrum, but I hope you get the idea. If not, I found a helpful table online!

If you’re still uncertain after reading this article, I suggest typing “they/them pronouns” or “Gender Neutral Pronouns” into the Google search bar. You’ll discover ample information and personal stories from individuals who identify with these pronouns. It greatly aided my understanding, and I’m confident it will benefit you as well.

 

What Challenges Might Arise When Navigating Pronouns?

Initially, I struggled with using singular Gender Neutral Pronouns like they/them because we typically use them to refer to a group. I believe this difficulty arises from breaking the traditional pattern, which some may find challenging to accept. It’s understandable that not everyone will easily adapt to this change, and that’s okay. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that using incorrect pronouns may unintentionally offend individuals who prefer gender-neutral pronouns.

Sometimes I must admit I do forget but I apologise and explain that I’m still getting used to it. It’s going to be even harder for someone who doesn’t use English as their first language, but as long as we can get this information out to people and they try to understand it then I feel like we are taking a step forward.

Now, I’ve found that a lot of people have added to their social media bios they/them so if you know the person then you should probably already know the nouns/pronouns they prefer.

What Strategies Are Effective for Navigating Pronouns?

There are a couple of ways to approach this if you’re unsure about someone’s pronouns. You can simply ask them directly, “What pronouns do you prefer?” Alternatively, if you feel uncomfortable asking, using they/them pronouns is a respectful choice. By normalizing this practice, we can foster understanding and encourage others to do the same, creating a more inclusive environment.

Personally, I’ve decided to use they/them pronouns when addressing anyone I meet, both in my personal and professional life. Considering the diverse range of individuals we encounter daily, it’s likely that many have preferred they/them pronouns but hesitated to express it. I’ve experienced situations where incorrect gendered terms were used towards me, and I stayed silent to avoid discomfort. It’s a common experience, and I believe many can relate to the feeling of being inadvertently misgendered.

I hope you have all enjoyed this read and if you had never heard about this before I hope this helped you understand Gender Neutral Pronouns a little bit.

 

About the Author: Elliana a consultant from Oh Zone Adult Lifestyle Centre

Why is Understanding Gender Inclusivity Important?

Gender-neutral pronouns are linguistic tools used to refer to individuals without denoting their gender. These pronouns can be used when the gender of the person referred to is unknown, or when the individual identifies as neither male nor female. Some commonly used gender-neutral pronouns include ‘they’, ‘them’, and ‘theirs’, used in a singular context.

The use of gender-neutral pronouns holds significant importance in today’s society. It is a crucial step towards acknowledging and respecting people’s chosen identities and promoting inclusivity. Utilizing gender-neutral pronouns helps eliminate assumptions about individuals based on their appearance and respects their self-identified gender.

What Are the Basics of Gender Inclusivity?

Here is a list of some commonly used gender-neutral pronouns:

1. They/Them/Theirs
2. Ze/Hir/Hirs
3. Xe/Xem/Xyrs
4. Ver/Vir/Vis
5. Te/Tem/Ter
6. E/Em/Eirs

Using gender-neutral pronouns might seem challenging initially, but with practice and understanding, one can seamlessly incorporate them into daily conversations. Here are some examples of how to use gender-neutral pronouns:

• “I spoke to the marketing director, and they said they’d get back to me.”

• “I think someone left their laptop behind.”

• “Who’s in charge of that campaign? I’ll email them.”

Considerations while Using Gender-Neutral Pronouns

While using gender-neutral pronouns, one must keep certain considerations in mind. It’s crucial to respect individuals’ chosen pronouns and use them correctly.

Learning Someone’s Pronouns

When meeting someone, it’s best to introduce oneself with their pronouns, allowing the other person to share theirs. However, the person should not feel forced to share their pronouns. If unsure, one can refer to the person by their name rather than using “him” or “her.”

Avoiding the Term “Preferred Pronouns”

Although the term “preferred pronouns” is widely used, it can imply that a person’s gender is a preference, which can be alienating. Instead, phrases like “What are your pronouns?”, “How would you like me to refer to you?” or “How would you like to be addressed?” can be used.

Handling Multiple Pronouns

Some individuals may use multiple pronouns, like she/they, or they/hirs. In such cases, they might express comfort with one over the other or wish for a varied usage of pronouns in conversations.

Understanding Gender Diversity Terminology

To understand the use of gender-neutral pronouns better, one must be familiar with certain gender diversity terminologies. These include terms like ‘Cisgender’ referring to individuals whose gender identity matches their birth-assigned gender, ‘Misgendering’ that refers to attributing a person to a gender they do not identify with, ‘Gender Binary’ referring to the system that assumes only two genders – masculine cis men and feminine cis women, and many more.

Recognizing the Importance of Inclusive Language

Language plays a significant role in promoting inclusivity. By adopting gender-neutral pronouns and respecting people’s self-identified genders, we contribute to creating a more accepting society.