Pronouns

Words used to refer to someone in place of their name, most commonly associated with gender. Common pronouns include she/her, he/him, and they/them.

Why pronouns matter: Using someone's correct pronouns is a basic form of respect. Being misgendered (called by the wrong pronouns) can be deeply hurtful, especially for trans and non-binary people.

They/them: Singular "they" has been used in English for centuries and is the most common gender-neutral pronoun. Many non-binary people use they/them.

Neopronouns: Some people use newer pronoun sets like xe/xem, ze/hir, or ey/em. While less common, these are just as valid as any other pronoun set.

Multiple pronoun sets: Some people use more than one set (e.g., she/they). This usually means either set is acceptable.

How to ask: "What pronouns do you use?" is a respectful way to ask. Sharing your own pronouns (e.g., in an email signature or introduction) helps normalize the practice and makes spaces safer for trans and non-binary people.