Everyone has pronouns. English speakers learn pronouns at a very young age through exposure to these common ones: he/him, she/her, and they/them. People use pronouns to refer to others without having to repeat their names.
Pronouns also hold importance for everyone – they play a large role in helping people parse their own sense of identity. Therefore, sharing pronouns should be as natural as introducing one’s own name.
Why Sharing Pronouns is Important
1. Incorrect Assumptions Of Pronouns
While pronouns give people a way to refer to others, do not assume pronouns. People define their pronouns, not through others’ external perceptions. Characteristics such as a person’s gender, appearance, and name do not inherently define a person’s pronouns.
If you use the incorrect pronouns for someone, apologize and remember the correct ones for future interactions.
2. Confirmation Comes From Sharing
Only the person themselves can confirm their pronouns. If someone’s pronouns remain unknown, you can use “they/them” as a good alternative until you can ask them.
Additionally, people may use more than one set of pronouns. For example, one person’s pronouns might be “she/they,” which uses both “she/her” and “they/them.” Just as you should not assume a person’s exact pronouns, you should not assume the number of pronouns either.
3. The Normalization of Pronoun Sharing
Some people may not discuss their pronouns for fear of negative consequences. Sharing pronouns normalizes the act, making it more commonplace for people, LGBTQ+ or not, to express their identity. Doing so also creates a safe and inviting environment for everyone.
As stated earlier, adding your pronouns to an introduction is no different than sharing your own name. Starting with “Hi, my name is…,” and ending with “my pronouns are…” flows nicely.
Pronouns to An Email Signature
Adding your pronouns to your email signature displays the same importance as introducing yourself in person. This applies to all environments: with friends, at school, and at work. Emails function as another place where stating pronouns also help.
The University of California San Francisco’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Resource Centre offers a great guide on email signature samples. Here is one sample:
Klint Jaramillo, MEd, MSW
Pronouns: he, him, his
Director, LGBT Resource Center
Office of Diversity and Outreach
University of California, San Francisco
500 Parnassus Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94143
Alternatively, “(he/him/his)” can be added next to a person’s title(s). The addition of “Pronouns I use: he, him, his” at the bottom also conveys the message.
Creating a Signature With Pronouns in Email
While every email system varies, here are steps to create a signature within Gmail and Outlook.
Adding a Signature in Gmail:
1. Click the gear on the top right corner and continue to “see all settings.”
2. Underneath the “general” category, there is a signature box. Add your pronouns in that box.
3. Make sure to change your signature defaults to use your new signature.
Adding a Signature in Outlook:
1. Click the gear icon on the top right corner.
- Click “view all Outlook settings” at the bottom.
2. In the “Mail” settings, go to “Compose and reply.” Add your pronouns in the email signature box.
3. Make sure to change your signature defaults to use your new signature.
Pronouns are incredibly useful for individuals to express their gender identities and for others to refer to them in a respectful, safe and inclusive way. What are your pronouns?