Pronouns in the Bio

Here is a simple thing you can include as part of your online profiles: list the pronouns people can use when referring to you. This removes any ambiguity and helps normalize the practice of sharing our pronouns. Not everyone uses pronouns that match the gender they present as and some people use non-gendered pronouns. If only those people shared their pronouns, it would make them feel “other.” That is easily avoidable, though, and why I think it is important for everyone to share their pronouns.

If you are running an event, I’d suggest including pronoun buttons or stickers for people to identify their pronouns. There is a lot of good information in An Organizer’s Guide to Pronoun Buttons. With or without buttons, you can also get in the practice of verbally including your pronouns when you introduce yourself or speak at an event. The idea may sound awkward, but you get used to it pretty quickly.

Hi, my name is gRegor and my pronouns are he/him.

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View responses or leave your own response

published November 9, 2019 • also on twitter.com

#nablopomo

Responses

gee-FM – November 10, 2019
I think it's so important to normalize sharing one's pronouns. I want to gender you correctly, so having them in a bio helps. And if we all do it, it makes it easier for everyone.

And it's a good thing to include when you're meeting someone, we're so quick to add things like what we do for a living, but that isn't awkward.

I'm gee-FM and my pronouns are she/her.

Laurie Guerrettaz – November 14, 2019
I don't think everyone has to share pronouns. Trans people I've known are sometimes averse to sharing their own pronouns because it's triggering to them. Sometimes people just want to be seen as they sex that they identify as... not as they or them. Other people are really on board with being they or them.

Personally, I feel like it's a trend for straight people to show that they are on board with trans people, and that's not a terrible thing, but it's a really small investment into a community that not many straight people have actual interactions with.

I can see it helping at events.

Do people who use pronouns in their bios know any trans people?

gRegor Morrill – November 14, 2019
Laurie: I'm not sure I understand your comment about they/them. Those are non-binary/gender-neutral pronouns and aren't used across the board by trans people. E.g. trans women who want to be identified as she/her use she/her.

That's interesting about it being triggering. Certainly if someone isn't comfortable with sharing their pronouns, they don't have to. I suspect that's a really small minority, though. The overwhelming response I've heard from trans people online and in person is that it's a good thing.

It is a small thing for cis people to do, which I think is all the more reason for us to do it. It shouldn't be a thing that only trans/non-binary people do.

Laurie Guerrettaz – November 14, 2019
Ok! What I've heard is that straight people don't need to use pronouns if they're obviously straight living straight lives. If they are trans and they want to use pronouns to announce that they are trans and require inclusivity, that's great. They/them is gender neutral, but every pronoun and every LGBTQIAA+ distinction is fluid and can be used any way that people want to use them.

My original comment about not needing to use pronouns is due to dysmorphia. Some trans people do not want to announce their trans-ness. They simply want to be accepted for the sex they identify with. Announcing it is triggering for people who have an intense struggle with feeling like their bodies still don't match how they're supposed to be. Announcing trans-ness is likely embraced more by people who "pass." Which isn't fair. My point is, it's just good to be aware that not every trans person handles pronouns the same way. If you want to share yours, share them. There's plenty to read online. And like genders and preferences, these distinctions are fluid. Follow Kit Malone on Facebook or Twitter. She posts a lot about various trans subjects.