Gender & Gender-Neutral Pronouns

Personal pronouns have been around for centuries in many forms and languages. Pronouns are typically used when people address us directly or indirectly, and when we refer to others when communicating. Traditional pronouns focus on the gender or sex of an individual, such as he for men and she for women; however, gender-neutral pronouns have become more widely used by individuals who typically identify as transgender, gender-fluid, gender-nonconforming, or non-binary.

To understand the importance of pronouns, imagine waking up one morning and looking at yourself in the mirror. When you look at yourself, you cannot identify your reflection in the mirror. The person looking back at you is the opposite sex to what you have always known yourself to be or your assigned gender at birth. You try to conform and accept this new identity; however, when you go for a coffee, the barista calls you “ma’am” or “sir,” instantly reminding you of how everyone else sees you. It would likely upset most people; however, this is the reality for many individuals who do not conform to conventional or traditional gender identities.

Some may view gender pronouns as old-fashioned and antiquated. They are generally used to distinguish between genders, so if we live in an equal society, should there be a difference between his and hers? Others will likely prefer traditional gender pronouns, whereas some may feel that those pronouns do not represent them. Ultimately, it is around choice, about how you like to be addressed or referred to, and the responsibility of us all to respect a person’s choice and, when communicating with them, to use their preferred personal pronouns.

Introduce the world to your true self (#proud2blgbtq) by selecting one of the many free available images relating to your chosen personal pronoun. You can share any of the images via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or via Gayther Affinity