Pronoun(s) Series
Oftentimes people list or share pronoun(s) by sharing the full series, which can create an erasure for those who use multiple pronouns. Read on to learn how to avoid this and to signal to others in all language(s) we can engage in.
When sharing pronouns or listing your pronouns, please only list one in a series.
It is helpful to only put one pronoun in a series to prevent the erasure of folx who use different pronouns.
Often when we are reading someone’s pronouns and we see the first pronoun, we may stop there and assume the rest of the series, which prevents us from noticing if someone uses more than one pronoun.
Example of when to list one pronoun: If your pronoun is she series, we know that it will be she/her/hers/herself. When listing this pronoun, use she only.
Example of when to list more than one pronoun: If your pronouns are she series, he series and zi series, then you would list your pronouns like this: she | he | zi or she/he/zi.
This way, when people read our pronoun(s), the person/people will read all that are listed to know to alternate versus only the first one and assume the rest.
Oftentimes, people will list a person’s pronouns in the order of usage. An example is if someone’s pronouns are she series and they series, and the person wants people to use they series mostly, and is okay with she series, the person may list the pronouns like this: they | she or they/she.
Another factor is language; please only include pronouns in the language that you speak and/or use, even if you are in a space where people will need to use your pronoun in a different language. My pronouns in English are they. I speak Spanish, and my pronoun in Spanish is elle. When I list my pronouns, I list my pronouns like this: they | elle. This indicates that these are my pronouns and that I can communicate in Spanish. If I did not speak Spanish but was in a space where I know others speak Spanish, I would share my pronoun as they and inform those who may need to know my pronoun in the language the person uses as elle as to not be misgendered.
Van Ethan is a qualified Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, based in San Diego, United States.
With a commitment to mental health, Mx Levy provides services in English, including Advocacy, Assessment, Awareness, Mindfulness, Psychotherapy (Adolescent), Psychotherapy (EMDR), Therapy, Therapy (Individual) and Youth Development.
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TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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