Why do we use they/them pronouns?

Why they/them? It is normal in the English language to use they/them pronouns when we don’t know the gender of the person to which we’re referring, or if we want our sentence to be applicable to all genders. This isn’t new – the saying “Everybody loves their own mother” has been used since around late 1300.

What does it mean to respect someone’s pronouns?

People may use your respect for another’s pronouns as a means to argue with you about the broader political context around gender and/or LGBTQ rights. But you don’t need to be needlessly drawn into an argument unless that’s where you want to go.

How do I ask people what their pronouns are?

 Ask people the pronouns they use for themselves whenever you ask people their name, such as when you meet someone for the first time or when you do go-arounds at meetings. Keep in mind that people may change the pronouns they go by, so it is necessary to ask pronouns in go-arounds regularly.

Why don’t nonbinary people use they/them pronouns?

They are not explicitly or exclusively nonbinary. There are good reasons why nonbinary people do not prefer they/them pronouns, and there are good reasons why people who are not nonbinary do prefer they/them pronouns. Not all nonbinary people occupy a space where they feel comfortable using “they” pronouns.

What are he/she pronouns?

In English, our most commonly used pronouns (he/she) specifically refer to a person’s gender. For queer, gender non-conforming, non-binary, and transgender people, these pronouns may not fit, can create discomfort, and can cause stress and anxiety.

How do I get people to accept my pronouns?

Feel free to ask people when you meet them what pronouns they use. Feel free to put your own pronouns in your email signature, or to introduce people using your pronouns (this can take the focus off non-binary people having to do all the work). Embrace doing your own research on pronouns, without expecting non-binary people to educate you.

What are the two gender neutral pronouns in English?

They are ae/aer/aers and fae/faer/faers. A gender neutral or gender inclusive pronoun is a pronoun which does not associate a gender with the individual who is being discussed.