Pronouns are important. Especially in today's society. We hear them everyday.
"She is so nice!"
"He looks so cool."
In the English language, we do not have a gender neutral pronoun. This is a struggle, especially for today's society because transgender individuals are becoming more comfortable and open about who they truly are.
One of these individuals is Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner. Bruce won gold in the 1776 Olympics and was quickly brought into the spotlight. He was considered the strongest man in the world, and even had his own Wheaties box! What a majority of the people didn't know however, was that he was internally battling with who he was. Having been born a male, Bruce struggled with his feelings and identity, which were telling him he was born to be a woman. In the past year and a half, Jenner has been covered on every tabloid magazine, causing a media frenzy while he was transitioning to a female. Bruce changed his name to Caitlyn, and she was finally free to be who she truly is.
Many people would call this good, and think that the struggle is over. But transgender individuals have to deal with labels for the rest of their life. If a male is transitioning into a female, once the transition is over, they are female, and the pronouns you should use are she and her. If a female is transitioning into a male, the pronouns you should use are he and him.
Transitions as large as these can be difficult for families and loved ones, but most importantly the transgender individual. Supporting these people, by using the correct pronoun is crucial. It's a vital step in transitioning.
I found it hard to change pronouns. It's difficult for everyone. But if you don't look at someone as transgender, and just look at them for who they are, it is much easier. Some people don't prefer a certain pronoun, if you're curious, ask! The most important thing you can do to ensure comfort, for everyone, is to ask questions and educate yourself.
I hope you'll look at pronouns differently, and think about what you want to say, before you say it. Although some things may be said on accident, and you truly don't mean them, it doesn't take away from the pain it can cause people. One of the most dangerous weapons in today's world, are words.
A good message, but keep in mind you should use a persons chosen pronouns even when referring to them prior to their transition
ReplyDeleteA good message, but keep in mind you should use a persons chosen pronouns even when referring to them prior to their transition
ReplyDeleteI agree that pronouns are important. I know someone close to me who has recently come out as a transgender, and I now feel like I am having a hard time with what to refer to her as. I often carelessly refer to her as a him on accident just based on what I was used to calling her, and I know it must be hard for her to hear people say things like that. I in no way am trying to be insensitive to her, but it is difficult when we don't have an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun (yes I know about "it", but again not appropriate when referring to human beings), and it makes me think of the hardships she has to put up with daily from society not being accustomed to having a large population of transgenders.
ReplyDeleteI agree that pronouns are important. I know someone close to me who has recently come out as a transgender, and I now feel like I am having a hard time with what to refer to her as. I often carelessly refer to her as a him on accident just based on what I was used to calling her, and I know it must be hard for her to hear people say things like that. I in no way am trying to be insensitive to her, but it is difficult when we don't have an appropriate gender-neutral pronoun (yes I know about "it", but again not appropriate when referring to human beings), and it makes me think of the hardships she has to put up with daily from society not being accustomed to having a large population of transgenders.
ReplyDelete