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Why pronouns matter

The LGBT+ Staff and Postgraduate Network are making a small but important request of you to show support for our trans and non-binary colleagues and students as part of Trans Visibility Day, and help take a small extra step in making Liverpool an inclusive and accepting place to work and study. To do this, we are inviting colleagues to include their pronouns in their email signatures, Zoom names, Canvas and social media profiles, whether or not you personally identify as trans or non-binary.

Below, members of our community share why pronouns matter to them, and find out how you can get involved.

Pronouns quote Rob Pettitt

Prof Rob Pettitt

Pronouns: He/Him. Many people are subject to prejudice and it is important that as a population, these prejudices are stamped out. Everyone can be part of this process and the use pronouns to show trans and non-binary staff and students is one way to do this.

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Dr Lesley Iwanejko

Pronouns: She/Her. I have started to use pronouns on my emails and during Zoom meetings. I had not realised until recently how important it is to find a means of ensuring everyone uses the correct pronoun when addressing others. It is little effort for potentially enormous gain and an important step to make sure everyone feels included.

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Emma Carter-Brown

Pronouns: She/Her. I share my pronouns as I want to normalise it as a practice and to signal openly that I welcome and respect others sharing their pronouns with me.

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Dr Blanca Perez-Sepulveda

Pronouns: She/Her. It makes me very uncomfortable when people assume things about me or having to assume things about others. When people clearly share their pronouns it makes it easier for everyone! We all feel more comfortable knowing that everyone (including ourselves) are respected. When you’re from a different culture or when English is not your first language, you’re usually hyper aware of not making mistakes and try really hard to not offend anyone. Also, did you know that some languages don’t have binary pronouns or even have them at all?

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Dr Jane Rees

Pronouns: She/Her. As a middle-aged cis woman I added my pronouns to my sign-off after hearing the personal narratives of members of the Notts Trans Hub at a conference I attended. My teenage children had started to enlighten me about fluid and non-binary identities, but the personal narratives deeply moved me, and helped me understand the violence and prejudice so many transgender people face in their daily lives. Adding my pronouns to my email signature is such an easy thing to do, but it is a powerful way to start to normalise trans and non-binary identities, and signal that you are an ally.

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Dr Daryl Hodge

Pronouns: They/Them. I use they/them pronouns so I have to state them or they won't be used. I worry this annoys my colleagues but whenever I log onto a meeting see someone else sharing theirs, I instantly feel supported. I am no longer the odd one out.

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Fluid, cis woman

Pronouns: She/Her. In terms of my sexuality, I identify as fluid. Because of this, I'm used to feeling like I don't fit in with a particular box or label and this can often make you feel 'othered' - even within the LGBTQ+ community. If I can help trans and non-binary folks to feel more included and at ease in a small way, simply by stating my she/her pronouns while at work, then I'm happy to do so. I changed my email signature to reflect this earlier this year - and although it felt a bit unusual to state how I wanted to be addressed, ultimately it's a small thing and will hopefully encourage others to do the same.

Pronouns quote Mark Morgan

Dr Mark Morgan

Pronouns: He/Him. Small gestures by many people can have a large impact. Normalising the use of pronouns is a sign of solidarity with our non-binary colleageus and students. Even if only one person feels less marginalised or awkward, because their workmates routinely use their pronouns I believe it is worthwhile. From the numerous messages of thanks I've received after simply circulating an email encouraging people to use their pronouns in communications, I know that the act is appreciated by very many of our colleagues and students.

Pronouns quote Freya Jarman

Dr Freya Jarman

Pronouns: any pronouns. Having been identified with both he/him and she/her by different people at different times in my life and having felt very differently about both of those under different circumstances, I understand just how important it can be to use someone's pronouns correctly. For myself, I find that I really don't mind anymore, but I know it can go right to the core of who you are and how you feel about how other people perceive you. It's as crucial in our interactions with each other as learning someone's name, and just as simple.

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What you can do

Sharing your pronouns is an important indicator of support for Trans and non-binary members of our community. As an ally, showing your pronouns (but not requiring it of others) provides a show of support to our trans and non-binary students and colleagues and helps normalise the idea of recognising and respecting pronouns, and allows others to know how to address you without the need to ask. This small action can contribute towards creating a more inclusive environment for everyone to work and study no matter their gender identity. For more information please do take a look the MyPronouns website, which has some excellent resources on frequently asked questions about pronouns in general.

To include your pronouns is a personal decision, though it can make a real difference in reassuring our trans, non-binary, and broader LGBQ+ staff and students that they are welcome and accepted for who they are within the university. If you have any questions please do get in touch.

Actions you can take

  • Add your pronouns to your email signature
  • Add your pronouns to your CANVAS name
  • Add your pronouns to your Zoom name (see Pronoun Zoom Guide)
  • When talking about someone, use their name, job title, terms such as colleague, person, they etc instead of He/She.
  • When hosting/speaking at an event, when introducing yourself, also include your pronouns to help normalise their use e.g. "Hello, I am John Smith and my pronouns are He/Him".
  • Add your pronouns to your presentaton/slides along with your name
  • Invite attendees on an online meeting to add their pronouns
  • Consider including pronoun opt-ins as a option when organising an event/conferences in attendance lists
  • Do not assume you know someones gender identify and the correct pronouns to use, if in doubt consider using neutral language
  • Remove gendered langauge (He/She) from documents where they can be replaced with "employees", "students", "colleagues", "all", "everyone" etc

When you first meet someone, you don't want to ask about their pronouns. This could make them feel like you're asking them to out themselves as transgender, agender, or nonbinary, which they might not want to do, particularly if you work in a conservative office. Instead, introduce yourself with your pronouns: "Hi, I'm Caroline, and my pronouns are she/her." By sharing your own pronouns, you're allowing the other person to share theirs, but not forcing them to.

Additionally, avoid saying "preferred" pronouns. Despite the popularity of the term, it's incorrect, since "preferred" implies someone's gender is a preference.

Ultimately, using gender-neutral pronouns doesn't require too much effort on your part, but it could make a huge difference in creating a warmer, more inclusive workplace environment for everyone. 

Finally, do not force other people to share their pronouns, it is a personal choice that should be respected.

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