Have you ever heard someone tell you their preferred pronouns? Preferred pronouns are an important part of someone’s gender identity. When someone tells you their preferred pronouns, it’s respectful to use those pronouns when referring to them- even when they’re not around you! Even sharing your own preferred pronouns in a setting where you feel comfortable can help others to recognize that they can share their preferred pronouns with you. However, if you feel uncomfortable sharing your preferred pronouns, that is okay! If someone else is uncomfortable sharing their preferred pronouns with you, even after you have shared yours, that is okay! No matter the situation, do your best to be respectful, patient, and kind.
Sometimes we may use the wrong pronoun for someone other than their preferred pronoun. If this happens to you, know that you are not alone and it can happen to anyone! If you mistakenly refer to someone by the incorrect pronoun, simply apologize and correct yourself. Do your best to refer to them by their preferred pronouns. What matters most is your genuine intention to respect others!
So, what does sharing preferred pronouns even look like? Here are some examples:
>Hi, my name is Sierra and my preferred pronouns are she/her.
>Hey, my name is Jon and my preferred pronouns are he/they.
>Hello, my name is Sam and my preferred pronouns are they/them.
>Hey, my name is Jason and my preferred pronouns are he/him.
These are but a few examples of how someone might share their preferred pronouns with you.
Gender Identity Scenario #1
With a partner or a small group, examine the examples from above and fill in the blank in the sentences using the preferred pronouns for Sierra, Jon, Sam, and Jason.
Sentences:
-I saw Sierra the other day when _________ was walking ________ dog in the neighborhood.
-Jon is really nice. _________ likes to read books, watch movies, and __________ always seem to have the best advice!
-Sam is my older sibling. _______ are so kind to me and I’m really happy whenever I’m with ______.
-I’m super excited to hang out with Jason today! ______ and I have been best friends since we were little and it’s been forever since I’ve seen _____.
*If time permits, you can come up with more practice sentences and scenarios. You can even come up with new people with different pronouns to practice.
**In Jon’s case, their preferred pronouns are he/they. This means Jon is comfortable being referred to as “he” or “they”, and the speaker can choose which pronoun to use. For instance, saying “Jon is smart and he is so funny” or saying “Jon is smart and they are so funny” are equally okay.
Download Learn More About: Preferred Pronouns (English) here.