Why Pronouns Matter for Everyone

Jump start the learning curve by educating yourself

Don鈥檛 make your Transgender and Non-binary peers do all the work in pronoun education. You can jump start the overall learning curve by educating yourself and boosting our reach with others around you.

Without realizing it, we use pronouns all the time. We use these pronouns in speech and writing to take the place of people鈥檚 name and many other proper nouns. One example lies in self-references: Every time you use 鈥榤y鈥� or 鈥榤ine鈥� you鈥檙e using a pronoun! Often, when speaking of someone in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied (think he/she). These associations with gender are where our language can become triggering or divisive for folx whose gender expression doesn鈥檛 match their gender identity. Using someone's correct pronouns is one of the simplest ways to show your respect for their identity.听

Join the Pride Center and 快活林性息鈥檚 LGBTQ Advisory Committee as we aim to advance the importance of using everyone's correct pronouns and strive to make 快活林性息 more inclusive.听

Why Are Pronouns Important?

Pronouns are important for many reasons! These reasons stem from how divisive pronoun assumptions can be for many individuals. Let鈥檚 break down how this can be so instantly harmful.听

You can鈥檛 know what someone's pronouns are by looking at them. Often, we make assumptions about the gender and pronouns of another person based on their appearance or name. These assumptions aren鈥檛 always correct.
The act of assuming (even if correct) sends a potentially harmful message that people must look a certain way to demonstrate the gender that they are or are not.
When someone is referred to with the wrong pronoun, it can make the individual feel disrespected, invalidated, dismissed, alienated, or hurt. This can determine within the first few minutes if they will feel respected at 快活林性息 or not.
Sharing our pronouns and correctly using other people鈥檚 pronouns sets a tone of inclusion. It can truly make all the difference, especially for new community members who may feel particularly vulnerable in a new environment.
Many people may be learning about pronouns for the first time, so this will be a learning opportunity for the 快活林性息 community. You will be setting an example for your peers.

Using Pronouns

People may choose to use a variety of pronouns, including neopronouns. Some people will use more than one set of pronouns or use no pronouns at all.

Neopronouns tend to refer to pronoun sets developed from the 20th century (or sometimes 19th century) to today. Neopronouns are not indicative of gender and could be used by genderfluid, nonbinary, transgender, or cisgender individuals.

Please note that there are no 鈥渕ale/female,鈥� 鈥渕an/woman鈥� or 鈥渇eminine/masculine鈥� pronouns. All pronouns can be used for any gender.

Below is a list of some commonly used pronouns and how they are used. This is not an exhaustive list. It is good practice to ask which pronouns a person uses.

Pronouns	Pronunciation	Subject	Object	Possessive	Posessive Pronoun	Reflexive
Ey/Em/Eirs	Ay, Em, Airs	Ey studied.	I texted em.	Eir phone.	That is eirs.	Ey loves emself.
He/Him/His	Hee, Him, His	He studied.	I texted him.	His phone.	That is his.	He loves himself.
Per/Per/Pers	Pur, Pur, Purs	Pur studied.	I texted per.	Pers phone.	That is pers.	Per loves perself.
She/Her/Hers	Shee, Hur, Hurs	She studied.	I texted her.	Her phone.	That is hers.	She loves herself.
TheyThem/Theirs (singular)	They, Them, Thairs	They studied.	I texted them.	Their phone.	That is theirs.	They trust themself.
Ve/Ver/Vers	Vee, Vur, Vurs	Ve studied.	I texted ver.	Vis phone.	That is vers.	Ve loves verself.
Xe/Xem/Xyrs	Zee, Zem, Zeers	Xe studied.	I texted xem.	Xyr phone.	That is xyrs.	Xe loves xemself.
Ze/Hir/Hirs	Zee, Heer, Heers	Ze studied.	I texted hir.	Hir phone.	That is hirs.	Ze trusts hirself.
Ze/Zir/Zirs	Zee, Zeer, Zeers	Ze studied.	I texted zir.	Zir phone.	That is Zirs.	Ze trusts zirself.
No Pronouns; Use Name	听	Taylor studied.	I texted Taylor.	罢补测濒辞谤鈥檚 phone.	That is 罢补测濒辞谤鈥檚	Taylor trusts 罢补测濒辞谤鈥檚 self.

Don鈥檛 panic over pronunciation! While above are some common ways to pronounce these pronouns, there are many variations, so it is best to ask how the individual pronounces them. Remember, if someone trusts you enough to share their pronouns with you, you should feel comfortable asking for clarification if you need it!听听Here are some examples of how to ask:

鈥淗i, Sam, I noticed the pronoun 鈥渪-e鈥� on your nametag and I want to make sure I am pronouncing that right. Can you tell me how you pronounce it?鈥�
鈥淎lex, I heard you say you use ze/zir pronouns and I want to make sure I鈥檓 using them correctly. Can you give me an example of how I use them?鈥�

FAQs

To say 鈥減referred鈥� gives room for people to ignore your preference. Pronouns are often a much deeper part of one鈥檚 identity than just a preference. I might prefer the color blue over yellow, but it is not a core part of my identity. The name someone chooses to go by and their pronouns are a very personal and thought through part of their identity. It is important to respect that.

If the person you鈥檙e referring to is a stranger or brief acquaintance (like a server, cashier, fellow bus patron, etc.), you may not need to know. If the person is someone you interact with regularly, such as a classmate, student, or coworker, it is best to ask. Try:

听鈥淢y name is _______ and my pronouns are _______. What about you?鈥澨�
听鈥淲hat pronouns do you use?鈥�
听鈥淗ow would you like me to refer to you?鈥�
听鈥淗ow would you like to be addressed?鈥�

Some people may not wish to share their pronouns. If you do not know someone鈥檚 pronouns, try defaulting to they/them/theirs.

Yes. California State University Executive Orders 1096 and 1097 protect students, faculty, and staff from discrimination based on gender. Under those policies, University community members are expected to respect each other鈥檚 pronouns and preferred names. Intentional misgendering (or, the intentional failure to use a person鈥檚 self-identified gender pronoun or name) could violate University policy with regards to not only the individual, but all members of the University community.

University faculty or staff who have questions regarding misgendering, hostile educational environments, or the prohibition against gender-based discrimination, should听email the Office of Equity and Diversity听or call 818-677-2077 for further information and guidance.

It happens. We all make mistakes! We recommend using R.A.M. (Relax, Apologize, Move on). The trans community often shoulder the burden of alleviating embarrassment and hurt feelings of cisgender individuals. Don鈥檛 excessively apologize or make it about yourself or how hard it is for you to learn new pronouns. Simply apologize, do better, and use the correct pronoun the next time.

Below are some language swaps you can make to be more inclusive!听

Accurate Language

biological sex -> assigned sex at birth (ASAB)
sex or gender change -> transition
sex reassignment surgery -> gender affirming healthcare
non-trans or 鈥渞egular鈥� people -> cisgender people

Anti-Binary Language

you guys -> y鈥檃ll
he or she -> they
men and women -> folks
ladies and gentlemen -> friends and colleagues听
sir or madam -> esteemed guest
husband or wife -> partner
brothers and sisters -> siblings
Mr./Mrs./Ms./Miss -> addressee鈥檚 name

Affirming Language

gender identity -> gender
preferred pronouns -> pronouns
men and trans men -> men
women and trans women -> women

Below are some strategies you can incorporate into your everyday use:

Share your pronouns when you introduce yourself.
(Faculty) Add your pronouns on your syllabus.
Include your pronouns on name tag and business cards.
Display your pronouns on your social media platforms.听
Add your pronouns to your email signature. Here鈥檚 an example:
Sarina Loeb
Pronouns: They/Them/Theirs or She/Her/Hers
Manager, Pride Center
University Student Union
California State University, Northridge
18111 Nordhoff Street
Northridge, CA 91330-8272
Add your pronouns on Zoom.
- Go to听
- Go to Profile and then edit.
- Include your pronouns in either the First Name or Last Name field.
Add your pronouns to myNorthridge Portal, which will display on class rosters and Canvas.听

The following are additional resources to help you understand the importance of using correct pronouns.听

听(Video from the Chronicle of Higher Education)

快活林性息

Pride Center

Social Media