If you don’t know someone’s pronouns, it’s okay to ask. In your e-mail signature next to your name: E. I’m the senior program manager and I go by she/her.” In one-on-one conversation: “Hi, I’m John and I go by he/him. For example, when introducing yourself share your pronouns like this: Create opportunities for people to share their pronouns with you rather than assuming you know their pronouns based on their appearance.Routinely asking and providing pronouns helps everyone avoid assumptions and feel comfortable interacting. The experience of accidentally misgendering someone can be difficult for both parties. The experience of being misgendered – having someone use the incorrect pronouns to refer to you – can be uncomfortable and hurtful. This is why using a person’s chosen name and pronouns is essential to affirming their identity and showing basic respect. Now, imagine that your coworker, or a family member, or your doctor or a friend routinely calls you by the wrong pronoun. Chances are this has happened countless times. Since some pronouns are gendered (“she/her” and “he/him”), it is important to be intentional about the way we use pronouns as we all work to create as inclusive an environment as possible.Īsk yourself how many times someone has used your name or a pronoun to refer to you today. A pronoun is a word used to refer to either the people who are talking (like “I” or “you”) or a person being talked about in the third person (like “she/her,” “he/him,” and “they/them”).

What are your pronouns