Pronouns & Inclusive Language

Pronouns are the way that we refer to people in place of their name or in third person (referring to that person while talking to someone else). When you use someone's correct pronouns, it serves to create an inclusive environment where you demonstrate that you care for and respect them.

If you don't know what pronouns someone uses, you can do one of three things:

• Use "They": Use singular "they/them/theirs" for this person until you have the opportunity to ask about their pronouns.

• Ask!: It's perfectly acceptable to ask someone what pronouns they use.

• Use their name: Use their name until you learn their pronouns.

• If someone has told you their pronouns, and you use their name or they instead of the pronouns that they told you, this is still misgendering.

Actively choosing to not use the pronouns someone has shared that they go by is harassment and implies that intersex, transgender, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people do not or should not exist.

Learn More

• https://pronouns.minus18.org.au/

• https://thesafezoneproject.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/LGBTQ-Inclusive-Dos-Donts.pdf

Calling In & Reflection

• Have you potentially engaged in a microaggression when attempting to make a personal connection?
• Hidden forms of bias with unintended consequences can lead to microaggressions. How might the biases you've discovered lead to these unintended microagressions?
• How might your worldview or lived experiences contribute your perspectives?