International Pronouns Day occurs every third Wednesday in October. It is the day that is all about respect. If you refer to people by their pronouns you not only show respect for the individual but also affirm your support for equal rights for all people regardless of their gender identity, expression, sexual orientation.
The reason for recognizing the importance of using proper pronouns is simple. There should be no room for error when it comes to respecting people’s identities.
Unfortunately, in many cultures people assume pronouns based on the binary gender. However, people’s gender expression and identity are not up for assumption. It is always best to ask what pronouns a person prefers using during the conversation. Otherwise, referring to someone by their name is the best and most respectful way to address the person.
A key thing to remember for us all is that referring to individuals by their pronouns is a basic human right. Using proper pronouns is essential for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. It is a great way to demonstrate allyship for LGBTQ+ people in your school, workplace, society as a whole.
Taimi believes that all people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. This is why, to us, using the correct pronouns in communication is absolutely crucial. Our staff always share their pronouns on social media, direct communication like emails as well as personal conversations. Using pronouns in communication can help avoid misgendering co-workers which can be tremendously hurtful for people.
“Taimi always strives to make our users and followers feel empowered. It is our mission to make the world a better place for LGBTQ+ people. So, using proper pronouns is not only respectful but also a caring way to show that we recognize each other’s identity. My pronouns are she/her and I invite everyone to share theirs today and everyday”, says Helen Virt, Head of Business Development at Taimi.
So, how do you start using pronouns at school, work, social gatherings? When introducing yourself, state your pronouns along with your name. Add an email signature with your pronouns, put it on social media, print a sign with your name and hashtag #mypronounsare, tell everyone about the importance of using pronouns in conversation.
Yes, using proper pronouns may take a bit of time getting used to, but eventually, it will become a common practice. Think about it, if we all get on board when it comes to using pronouns, the impact on society will be huge. It will transform how people address each other.
Although there has been a lot of discussion about the use of gender pronouns in the media recently, the subject is nothing new. People have been using gender-neutral pronouns for quite some time now.
The most common pronouns used to refer to people are ‘he/him’, ‘she/her’, ‘they/them’, but there are also plenty of gender-neutral pronouns like ‘xe’, ‘ze’ that people use without referring to a specific gender.
International Pronouns Day began in 2018. Since then it has grown to include many organizations in different countries. The day is also used to bring trans and non-binary rights to the forefront. People are also urged to raise subjects focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, take the time to discuss equality in the workplace, as well as address trans and non-binary issues.
Mistakes can happen, this is why we need a day to recognize pronouns. If a person uses wrong pronouns to refer to you – correct them, if you use the wrong pronoun while addressing someone – apologize. Show solidarity by learning more, educating yourself and others, and of course, celebrating International Pronouns Day with Taimi!
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