This page will help you understand the basics of pronouns, best practices for using them and how to respond to harassment or discrimination. More information on the ways pronouns are shared at the 黑料吃瓜网 is available on the Sharing Pronouns at the 黑料吃瓜网 page.
What is a pronoun and why is correct pronoun use important?
Pronouns like 鈥渟he,鈥� 鈥渉im鈥� and 鈥渢hey鈥� provide a grammatical way to refer to people without using their name, and they are one of the ways some people portray their gender identities. Some pronouns are gendered (like 鈥渟he/her/hers鈥� or 鈥渉e/him/his鈥�), while others are gender neutral (like 鈥渢hey/them/theirs鈥�).
When someone asks you to use their pronouns, they are asking you to respect who they are. By respecting people鈥檚 pronouns, you are helping cultivate a safe and inclusive 黑料吃瓜网 community and learning environment.
to learn more about why gender pronouns matter.
What are some common pronouns?
The most common pronoun sets are 鈥渟he/her,鈥� 鈥渉e/him鈥� and 鈥渢hey/them.鈥� Although some people may not be used to using 鈥渢hey鈥� as a singular pronoun, 鈥渢hey鈥� provides a way of referring to someone whose gender identity is nonbinary or whose gender is unknown.
In addition to those above,鈥�. Some people use neopronouns such as 鈥渮e/zir,鈥� which are gender-neutral. Others may indicate bilingual pronouns, such as 鈥渟he/ella.鈥�
Some people may indicate that they prefer 鈥渘o pronouns鈥� or 鈥渦se my name.鈥� In this case, use that person鈥檚 name in place of any pronouns. Other people may choose not to share their pronouns in a given setting. In written/digital contexts, they may leave the space blank or enter 鈥渁sk me鈥� to invite others to ask them directly.
If you鈥檙e not sure what someone means when they indicate their pronouns, it鈥檚 best to ask them politely. You may simply ask, 鈥淲hat pronouns do you use, or what name can I call you by?鈥�
For more information, please see The Whole U鈥檚 .
Combining pronoun sets
Some people may indicate multiple sets of pronouns, which usually means that they accept either (or they may use one set or the other in different contexts).
For example, 鈥渟he/they鈥� means 鈥渟he/her/hers鈥� and 鈥渢hey/them/theirs鈥� pronouns are appropriate. This also applies to 鈥渉e/they,鈥� 鈥渢hey/she,鈥� 鈥渢hey/he鈥� and other combinations.
How to use pronouns appropriately & best practices
Fostering inclusive pronoun sharing
When a majority of people in the workplace or classroom, especially those in positions of power (instructors, managers, TAs, etc.), introduce themselves with their pronouns it creates a safe environment for others to share their pronouns too.
For example, instructors can begin their first lecture with, 鈥淗ello, my name is Alex and I use 鈥榮he/her鈥� pronouns.鈥�
This practice demonstrates an awareness that pronouns need to be learned, rather than assumed, and it can be used in work, academic, and social settings.
If you would like a button with your pronouns that you can wear or display, stop by Husky Health Center’s Room 101 to pick up a free button.
What if I don鈥檛 know someone鈥檚 pronouns?
If you don鈥檛 know someone鈥檚 pronouns, you can start by sharing your own name and pronouns and then respectfully ask someone their name and what pronouns they use by asking them, 鈥渨hat鈥檚 your name and do you have any pronouns I should use?鈥� When you ask someone their pronouns, do so knowing that people need to feel comfortable sharing their pronouns on their own terms.
If you forget what pronouns someone uses, you can ask them the same way you ask for a name you鈥檝e forgotten. 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry, I鈥檝e forgotten your pronouns. Could you remind me?鈥�
It can be harmful to make assumptions about a person鈥檚 gender based on their appearance and/or name. Until you know someone鈥檚 pronouns, you can refer to a person by their name or by 鈥渢hey/them/theirs鈥� pronouns as a gender-neutral alternative.
Respecting identity and boundaries
Respect other people by addressing them in ways that they ask to be addressed, whether it be by their preferred name or their pronouns. Using pronouns other than the ones a person has asked you to use can make them feel unwelcome, invisible or unsafe in the community. This is called 鈥渕isgendering鈥� someone. Similarly, using a name that a person no longer identifies with, also called deadnaming, is also harmful.
Part of being respectful is understanding some individuals鈥� desire for privacy with regard to their identity. Just because they share their pronouns with you doesn鈥檛 mean they want you to share them with others. As such, you are expected to use pronouns in accordance with the 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚鈥�.
What if I make a mistake and use the wrong pronoun?
If you make an innocent mistake and use the wrong pronoun, just apologize, correct yourself and move on. What鈥檚 important is that you don鈥檛 make the situation worse for the person by over-apologizing, thereby drawing even more attention to them and putting a burden on them to make you feel better. Just apologize and learn from your mistake.
If you intentionally use the wrong pronoun to continually misgender someone, this is legally considered harassment, as defined by鈥�, and may be reported as a鈥�Title IX violation.
What if someone else makes a mistake?
If someone else makes a mistake and you know what pronouns the person wants used in the setting, find a polite and quick way to correct them, and then move on. For example, 鈥淎ctually, Ty uses 鈥榟e/him鈥� pronouns.鈥�
It is important to remember that some people use different pronouns in different settings and with different people. If you aren鈥檛 sure what pronouns a person uses in a particular setting, check in with the person before correcting anyone. It鈥檚 possible that different pronouns were shared with the person speaking.
People who are repeatedly misgendered may grow tired of correcting others. If you witness someone being misgendered, consider reaching out and asking if you can support them in any way. By acknowledging the impact of such behavior and/or by helping correct others who make mistakes, you are contributing to a safe and welcoming 黑料吃瓜网 community.
Embracing Pronoun Diversity
There are many other pronouns in use besides she, he and they 鈥� ways of expressing identity continue to evolve. If someone asks you to use pronouns that you have never heard before, they are letting you know how they want you to refer to them. By asking for clarification when you鈥檙e not sure and by making the effort to respect each person you meet, you are helping to cultivate a safe and inclusive 黑料吃瓜网 community and learning environment.
If you want to learn more about pronouns, we recommend:
- The 聽has excellent information on gender identity and pronouns
- 黑料吃瓜网 Medicine鈥檚 Right as Rain has through your actions
How do I respond to harassment or discrimination?
Someone has been harassed or discriminated against
Harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression has no place at the 黑料吃瓜网 or in Washington. When someone shares that they have experienced harassment, it鈥檚 important to respond with care and provide access to information about support resources and their rights.
Please consult鈥�SafeCampus鈥� recommendations for supporting victims of harassment. Additionally, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator can help anyone facing harassment or discrimination鈥�get support or explore reporting options. A person does not need to file a report or request an investigation in order to get support.
Keep in mind that, if you are formally designated as 鈥渞equired to report鈥� at 黑料吃瓜网, you may鈥痭eed to take other actions.
I have been harassed or discriminated against
Harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression have no place at the 黑料吃瓜网 or in Washington. If you have experienced harassment, it鈥檚 important to know your rights and that you have the full support of 黑料吃瓜网. The Office of the Title IX Coordinator can help you鈥�get support or explore reporting options. You do not need to file a report or request an investigation in order to get support.
I have been accused of harassing or discriminating against someone
We take the safety and well-being of our community seriously, and鈥�痑苍诲鈥�痵pecifically prohibit this type of behavior. If you have been accused, please have a conversation with your supervisor and/or the鈥�Office of the Ombud鈥痶o reflect on the best response, as determining the proper response depends on the specific situation.
Misunderstandings happen and people make mistakes. The 黑料吃瓜网 is here to help you understand what happened and determine whether actions might have been a policy violation or not. While intentional deadnaming and misgendering someone would be a policy violation, it is important to note that not all instances of deadnaming or inaccurate pronoun usage would meet the level of a 黑料吃瓜网 policy violation.
In the case that a violation has been formally reported, either a University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO) representative or a Human Resources Consultant would conduct the investigation. In these cases, those offices would meet with you to provide information about the investigation process and better understand your perspective.
If you need urgent help, .