International Pronouns Day | A Message from The MSU Trans Health Team
You may have noticed that it has become increasingly more commonplace to share pronouns in introductions, signature lines, in profiles, and even in everyday conversations. Using correct and affirmed pronouns for members of our campus community is not only the right thing to do, but it is also an easy expectation we can meet and can make a positive impact towards creating a safe and welcoming environment here at MSU. It is in this spirit that University Heath and Wellbeing's Transgender Health Team is excited to share some information and resources with you about Why Pronouns Matter!
WHAT ARE PRONOUNS?
Please take a few minutes to watch this short, 5-minute video, and listen to the voices of transgender and gender non-conforming people as they explain “What are Pronouns”: http://bit.ly/2Ru54eM .
WHY DO PRONOUNS MATTER?
Due to societal stigma, transgender and gender non-binary individuals experience disparities when seeking health and mental health care and can experience discrimination in many other areas of life such as employment and access to education. Here at MSU we are committed to providing equitable access to education, resources, and services, and one way we can ensure that access for transgender and non-binary individuals is by informing ourselves. We are proud to report that when MSU was assessed for our institutional competency in LGBTQ-inclusive policy, programs and practice, our campus was rated 4 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index (learn more here: http://bit.ly/2UwimJB). However, there’s always room for improvement! Try taking some of the following steps to inform yourself and contribute to making MSU a better environment for all members of our campus community.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Using the correct gender pronouns is as important as getting a person’s name right. Referring to someone by the wrong pronouns or other gendered words (such as sir, miss, ma’am, woman, girl, boy, Mrs., Mr. etc) is called misgendering. Making an assumption about a person’s gender based upon their name or appearance can result in misgendering. Regardless of intent, the impact of misgendering someone is damage to trust within interpersonal relationships, which can extend into relationships with offices, organizations, and institutions. Misgendering can even expose someone to outside threats of violence and harassment. It is very important that we intentionally avoid misgendering people who come into our worksites to receive services and support. Here are some ideas about what you can do to support transgender and non-binary members of our MSU community:
- When someone shares their name and pronouns, respect that and always refer to them using the correct name and pronouns.
- If you don’t know someone’s pronouns, just ask. If you aren’t sure how, try saying, “what pronouns do you use?” or “can you remind me what pronouns you use?” It may feel awkward at first, but it’s much less awkward than getting someone’s pronouns wrong.
- If you do make a mistake, simply acknowledge it, correct yourself, and make an effort to not have it happen again. For some helpful tips about this, check out this brief article: http://bit.ly/2CUTq7i
- At your worksite, include an option for individuals to share their pronouns on intake forms and other paperwork.
- Avoid using gendered language. Instead of saying “ma’am,” “sir,” “ladies & gentleman” and other similarly gendered terms, you can say “folks,” “everyone,” or “y’all”.
- Remember—everyone has pronouns, not just transgender and non-binary people. Let’s normalize sharing pronouns! Cisgender people (people who are not transgender) can share their pronouns too, so it’s not just up to transgender and non-binary folks to share theirs.
The bottom line is that when all of us intentionally use correct and inclusive language with each other, we ensure a welcoming, competent, and affirming environment for transgender, gender non-binary, and gender non-conforming students, faculty, and staff. Thank you all for your contributions to our students’ wellbeing and success!
Sincerely,
The MSU Trans HealthTeam,
Ginny Blakely, Trans Health Team Chair, CAPS, (no pronouns, just my name)
Miranda O'Brien, Trans Health Team member. CAPS LGBTQ Concentration Post-Masters Fellow (she/her)
Stacy Bull, MD, Trans Health Team member, Olin Trans Health Provider (she/her)
Alex Tomlinson-Miles, Trans Health Team member, Olin Trans Health Provider (he/him)
P.S. Additional Resources