Subscribe via RSSWhat's in a Pronoun? - By Liz Wasson Coleman, CPSM
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Hi, I’m Liz, and my preferred pronouns are she/her. It’s the third Wednesday of October, and that means one thing: it’s International Pronouns Day. I’ll be honest: I have had moments when I used the wrong pronoun for acquaintances with gender-neutral or uncommon names, or names originating in a language I’m unfamiliar with. In our post-COVID world our workdays are filled with virtual meetings, and we’re offered incomplete names on an attendee list and no faces to look at. At times it can be uncomfortable wondering who is on the other side of the Zoom room. Is Jordan male or female? Have I ever met “jsmith” in person before? Is that name masculine or feminine? But when I ask myself these questions, I am sorely missing the point. The real question I should be asking in these circumstances is, “What are your preferred pronouns?” Pronouns are not tied to a name, assigned sex, physical appearance, or preference in partners. Pronouns are intrinsic to our identities and using individuals’ preferred pronouns is imperative to strengthening our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts.
As a cis-gendered white woman in America who was given a common, Anglo-Saxon name, I have the privilege of never being asked to pronounce my name or clarify my pronouns to anyone. People familiar with English see my name and gender me as female. I also usually dress in a way that our culture considers feminine. When people see my name in an email or my face on a Zoom call and assume my pronouns are she/her, they’re right. But that’s not the case for everyone. By sharing my personal pronouns in online forums and in group settings, I am helping to normalize this practice for individuals who may identify as non-binary, or who may prefer pronouns that others wouldn’t assume based on their name or physical appearance. While not every person who identifies as transgendered or non-binary wants to share their preferred pronouns, those who do can feel more comfortable sharing theirs in environments that support and normalize the practice. To this end, the Society for Marketing Professional Services recently added the option for members to include their preferred pronouns in their profile! Similar to LinkedIn and Instagram, sharing our preferred pronouns in our SMPS profiles is a simple way to familiarize our peers with the concept of asking and sharing. — Alex Nguyen, Colorado [they/them and he/him] But why is it so important for some people to have the right pronouns used when referring to them? Studies have shown that for transgender individuals, affirming the use of their preferred pronouns reduces depression and raises self-esteem. For personal stories and testimonials about the importance of using preferred pronouns, look no further than GLAAD, who celebrated International Pronouns day in 2019 by interviewing GLAAD campus ambassadors about this very topic. “Pronouns to me are like a hug, or a squeeze on my shoulder, something that says, ‘I see you for who you are in your entirety, and I love you for it.’ When I’m mis-gendered, it’s a stab at my heart. That sounds dramatic, but there’s no easy way to describe the whirlwind of disappointment, anger, and sadness that courses through me. But when people use my correct pronouns it means that on some level, they respect my experience and they recognize this essential aspect of who I am.” — Sarah Ondak, California [they/them] They/Them The most common pronoun preferences being used in the United States today are he/him, she/her, and they/them, though there are less common alternative non-binary pronouns including ze/zir, per/pers, ey/em, and xe/xem. One comment I hear about individuals using the pronouns they/them is that it is an improper use of a plural word to describe a single person. In 2015 the American Dialect Society selected “they” as the Word of the Year, and in 2020 the organization declared it the Word of the Decade for the 2010s! Merriam-Webster named “they” the Word of the Year in 2019, solidifying the singular “they/them/theirs” as accepted pronouns for individuals. Believe it or not, there is an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to explaining how the singular use of “they” is appropriate and identifying it as common in writing back to the Middle Ages. While it isn’t always comfortable for native English speakers to use they/them when referring to one person, with awareness and practice, we can make that shift. (And yes, I’m still working on it). All of Us Though the sharing of preferred pronouns in professional, educational, and community settings is becoming more prevalent, we are bound to make mistakes and misgender individuals by using the wrong pronouns from time to time. MyPronouns.org is a fantastic resource with straightforward explanations about pronouns, how to use them appropriately while writing and speaking, and how to correct ourselves – and others – when we slip up. Beyond asking – and using – individuals’ preferred pronouns, what can we do to use more gender inclusive language when speaking to groups or writing for wider audiences? As marketing professionals, using less gendered terminology in our copywriting and editing is one way that we can make subtle shifts in messaging and become more inclusive. Furthermore, I hope you’ll feel comfortable adding your preferred pronouns to your names during our Zoom calls and consider shifting away from gendered language in your marketing materials. (I’m still working on that one too). During Pride month, our firm leadership encouraged staff who were comfortable with it to add their preferred pronouns to their email signatures and business cards – something nearly everyone took part in. As new employees join our firm, they are joining in the practice, no questions asked – because it’s been normalized and built into our firm culture. After you update your profiles on SMPS.org, I hope you’ll browse the Society’s DEI page, which has been expanded to include their DEI Action Plan, a list of vetted DEI Resources, and information about the SMPS DEI Taskforce, which is made up of members from chapters around the country. In recognition of International Pronouns Day, I want each of you to feel comfortable with sharing your preferred pronouns and names. To truly Transform Business Through Marketing Leadership, we need to lead with authenticity and acceptance, and I know our SMPS Seattle Board of Directors is committed to doing just that. We hope you’ll join us. SOURCES: |
