Gender Pronouns
On the Third Wednesday of October, we celebrate the annual International Pronouns Day.
This day was created to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Pronouns are words used to refer to people in place of their name – you, we, she, he, and they.
At Vicki Philipoff Settlements we want to celebrate the diverse identities of our colleagues, and our clients. When someone states their pronouns, we don’t question or make assumptions about their gender, sex or sexuality. We accept and respect how people identify and define themselves.
Binary Pronouns
- She / He
She is speaking. He is running.
- Her / Him
Her birthday party. His mobile phone.
- Hers / His
The laptop is hers. The glasses are his.
Gender Neutral Pronouns
- They / Them / Theirs
They are speaking. I heard them. The words are theirs.
- Ze / Zem / Zeirs
Ze are speaking. I heard zem. The words are zeirs.
Other singular third-person pronouns sometimes used instead of he, she, or they include:
- Xe/xem/xyr/xyrs (pronounced like zee/zem/zeer/zeers)
- Ze (or sie)/hir/hirs (zee or see/hear/hears)
- Ey/em/eir/eirs (rhymes with they/them/their/theirs)
GENITALS ≠ GENDER
A cisgender person is someone whose gender aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. Cisgender people are more likely to use pronouns that align with their birth sex.
A transgender person is someone whose gender is different to what was initially expected for them when they were born. People who are trans, non-binary or gender diverse are more likely to use pronouns that don’t align with the sex they were assigned at birth.
When someone states their pronouns, don’t question or make assumptions about their gender, sex, or sexuality. Just accept and respect how people identify and define themselves. It is important to use the correct pronouns when speaking to or about someone.
This shows respect for that person, and helps you avoid misgendering them, which can be distressing. When you are unsure of a person’s gender, take the opportunity to simply ask their pronouns. If you are unable to do so, it is best to use gender neutral pronouns.
