Pronouns matter! Recognizing and respecting another person’s pronouns shows that you care and validates that person’s identity. Displaying pronouns is a form of active allyship that sends a message of inclusivity.
- Sharing your pronouns demonstrates that you understand the importance of respectful personal pronoun usage.
- Avoid using binary gender markers in your materials and documents
- Consider the language you use to refer to other people. Using terms like “class”, “folks”, or “everyone” will be more inclusive than “ladies and gentlemen”, “guys”, etc.
| Common Gendered Pronouns & Terms | More Inclusive Pronoun & Term Alternatives |
|---|---|
| his/hers | theirs |
| boys/girls | children/class |
| men/women | everyone/people |
| lady/man | person |
| ladies/gentlemen | honored guests |
| mother/father | parents/guardians |
| wife/husband | spouse/partner |
| guys | everyone/folks/y’all |
| brother or sister | sibling(s) |
