Pronouns

Pronouns are words such as “I,” “you,” “he,” “she,” “we,” or “they” that can stand in for nouns or names and make sentences shorter and clearer. In queer, trans, and feminist contexts, “pronouns” often refers specifically to the personal pronouns used when speaking about a person, such as “he/him,” “she/her,” “they/them,” or self-chosen forms. In English, third-person singular pronouns can carry gendered meanings, especially “he” and “she.”

For people who do not identify, or do not identify exclusively, as male or female, these pronouns may not feel appropriate. Some people therefore use gender-neutral pronouns such as singular “they,” or neopronouns such as “ze/zir,” “xe/xem,” or other individually chosen forms. What matters is not whether a pronoun is familiar to everyone, but whether it is the pronoun a person uses for themselves.

Respectful interaction with trans, non-binary, and intersex people includes using their correct names and pronouns. If someone’s pronouns are not known, it is appropriate to ask politely or to use their name until clarified. If a mistake happens, a brief apology, an immediate correction, and moving on without lengthy justification is usually the most respectful response.