Honoring International Pronouns Day – Info & Resources
Contributed by: Hartnett, GreenStar Staff Member
Happy International Pronouns Day! International Pronouns Day is a day that celebrates sharing, respecting, and educating individuals about personal pronouns. It takes place on the third Wednesday of October each year. In 2021, International Pronouns Day falls on October 20th. At GreenStar, we are celebrating International Pronouns Day by raising awareness and making resources available for staff and the community. Using the correct personal pronouns is essential at GreenStar as it fosters a safer and more inclusive environment for all people. Although the English language has many different types of pronouns, this day focuses on third person personal pronouns such as she/her, he/him and they/them pronouns. Together, let’s dive into what pronouns are, why they are important, and how you can show your support.
So what are pronouns? Third person personal pronouns are used to describe a person when you are talking about them. For instance, you might say “She/he is going to the store.” Most commonly used personal pronouns include she/her, he/him, and they/them pronouns. When you hear they/them pronouns, you probably think of the plural form such as, “They (two people) had to pick up their pencils.” However, English lacks a gender-neutral pronoun to correspond with people who identify as non-binary, gender non-conforming, or genderqueer. Some people in the LGBTQ+ community have adopted neopronouns like ze/zir. None have caught on as much as the they/them form. In September of 2019, they/them was added to the dictionary of Merriam-Webster as a singular form for non-binary individuals.
Okay so why are pronouns so important? More often than not, third person personal pronouns have an implied gender (i.e. using ‘she’ to refer to a girl/woman or ‘he’ to refer to a boy/man). People frequently make assumptions about a person’s gender based on their appearance. Assuming a person’s gender can send the dangerous message that a person has to look and sound a specific way to demonstrate their gender. For many transgender individuals, their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. For some people, how they feel on the inside may not match what people see on the outside. Referring to someone by the wrong pronouns can be a particularly detrimental and harrowing experience for those who identify as transgender and/or non-binary. It may contribute to social dysphoria (i.e. extreme discomfort or distress by how someone is viewed by society) or reinforce the fact that people might perceive them as something they are not. Using the correct pronouns is a way to show respect for transgender/non-binary individuals and also promotes a more inclusive environment for everyone.
Sweet! So how do I show my support? In a context where pronouns are unknown, gender-neutral pronouns and language are a great option. If you are ever unsure of how to use a personal pronoun with someone, let them know you want to be supportive and ask the person how to use their pronouns correctly. If you accidentally make a mistake with a pronoun when referring to someone, it is best practice to correct yourself and move on. For instance, someone might use she/her pronouns and you might say, “He is coming to the – I mean she is coming to the meeting today.” You do not need to dwell on it or make a big deal at the moment. Dwelling on the error could contribute to more dysphoria for that person in the moment. Another way to show your support and create safe spaces for everyone is to share your own pronouns when introducing yourself. For example, you could say, “Hi my name is Mari. I use she/her pronouns.” In addition, you can show your support by using gender inclusive language. Instead of saying “Boys and girls” or “Ladies and gentleman”, you can say terms like “Folks, friends, staff, colleagues, children, students, etc.”
At GreenStar we are committed to making our workplace and space more inclusive of all genders. Staying educated, being aware, and using the correct pronouns provides the opportunity for everyone to be respectful of people’s gender identity and creates a safe space for all.
Here’s Some Great Resources to Check Out!
Pronouns Resources:
Additional Resources:
- Alternatives Federal Credit Union – TransAction Financial Empowerment Program: The TransAction Financial Empowerment Program provides access to funds to support gender affirmation, such as hormone therapy, vocal coaching, new wardrobes, legal documentation updates, and surgeries/procedures—without the risks of high-interest credit or predatory lenders.
- Ithaca College – Center for LGBT Education, Outreach & Services: The Center for LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services actively fosters the academic success and personal growth of LGBT students, and it offers college-wide services to enhance the campus community’s understanding and appreciation of LGBT people and themes.
- Ithaca College – Spring 2021 Center for LGBTQ+ Resources
- Planned Parenthood – Gender Identity: Your gender identity is an important part of who you are. Learning more about gender identity can help you understand yourself and the people around you.