Pronouns Resource

You've likely heard someone say they use she/her, he/him, or maybe even they/them pronouns, but... what does that mean exactly? In this article we'll be explaining how to use pronouns correctly, the importance of pronouns, and addressing some common misconceptions about them.

How to Use Pronouns

The most important part of using pronouns is ensuring you're using the right ones. Asking someone their pronouns is an easy way to ensure you won't be misgendering anyone. Here is how you use the three most commonly used singular pronouns, as well as a neopronoun to get a sense of how they work:

He/him/his: He went to his locker, I went with him, but he wanted to go by himself.

She/her/hers: She went to her locker, I went with her, but she wanted to go by herself.

They/them/theirs: They went to their locker, I went with them, but they wanted to go by themself.

Ze/zir/zirs: Ze went to zir locker, I went with zir, but ze wanted to go by zirself.

The Importance of Pronouns

Respecting the pronouns of others is basic human decency, regardless of how you feel about them. Being misgendered makes a person feel uncomfortable and disrespected. Trans people have significantly higher rates of depression and suicide, and much of this is caused by the transphobia they face around them. By simply using the correct pronouns, you can make trans students feel safe and accepted.

Addressing Some Misconceptions