Why should you put your pronouns in your bio?
By including your pronouns in things like your email signature and social media bios, you let others know how to refer to you. It's the same as telling someone what name to call you by. Sharing pronouns in a place where everyone can see is an important step towards promoting inclusivity in the workplace, academia, and society as a whole. This small gesture of openness to ask someone's pronouns or tell others your own pronouns creates a healthier and safe environment!
This carrd resource was made by Jule Kilgore-Reed, Occidental College C/O 2025. Use the email icon to contact them for any further questions/comments concerns. Thanks!
Why and how do we use pronouns in general?
Just as we normally have names we go by, we typically have pronouns we like to be called by. A person's name or pronouns have no direct bearing on their gender or other identities. Names and pronouns are typically exchanged in public since they are a common component of language used to refer to individuals. While many people don't actively reveal their gender with casual acquaintances, just as many don't actively communicate their color, class, or sexual orientation, identities are often kept private. (Excerpt copied from another resource I made, on they/them pronouns. See the link to that below.)
This carrd resource (including the linked carrd above) was made by Jule Kilgore-Reed, Occidental College C/O 2025. Use the above email icon to contact them for any further questions/comments concerns. Thanks!
Pronouns
Below is a visual of how/when to use a few different pronouns that someone might use
Pronouns like ze, xe, or zir might be new words for some. These are called neopronouns. Neopronouns have erected out of a need for some to find a pronoun series that best works for them. This might be to avoid confusion with another pronoun or simply to find a pronoun series that best represents someone.It is also important to note that sometimes people might use any combination of these pronouns to best represent them. For example, someone might say their pronouns are she/they. When someone uses a combination of different pronouns, its helpful to try to use all of an individuals pronouns rather than only ever calling someone by the pronoun you chose to use for them. When in doubt, you can always ask someone how to use their pronouns and when to use which pronoun for them.
This carrd resource was made by Jule Kilgore-Reed, Occidental College C/O 2025. Use the email icon to contact them for any further questions/comments concerns. Thanks!
How to ask for pronouns in conversation
It is super easy to ask for someone's pronouns when in a conversation with them. One of the simplest ways to invite someone to share their pronouns is to share your own. A conversation might look this:>Hi, my name is Jay and I use they/them pronouns.
>>Nice to meet you, Jay! I'm Leo. I use he/they
>Thanks for letting me know, Leo. Have a good one!
>>Of course! You too, Jay.In emails, your pronouns may be in your signature, but if you're emailing someone for the first time, sometimes it helps to introduce yourself by sharing your pronouns as wellHello Professor,
My name is Oli (he/him), and I'm in section one of your computer science class this semester. Look forward to meeting you in person!
Best, Oli
This carrd resource was made by Jule Kilgore-Reed, Occidental College C/O 2025. Use the email icon to contact them for any further questions/comments concerns. Thanks!
Why are pronouns controversial?
Despite the fact that pronouns in and of themselves are critical to language as a whole, for some reason there has been resistance towards talking about people's pronouns outside of their "assigned" pronouns. This may be due to the fact that personal pronouns have been associated with LGBT folks, and those who are resistant to the LGBT community then express resistance towards the acceptance of talking about pronouns. However, do not let this dissuade you from sharing your pronouns either when you introduce yourself in person, or in your email signatures and social media bios. When it comes to the academic world, your right to talk about your personal pronouns is protected by Title IX. At work, you can find support by your work place's human resources office. Acceptance towards sharing personal pronouns is a harmless act of inclusivityHow to deal with misgendering or resistance to using gendered pronouns outside of school or work is up to one's own choices based on their best judgement.
This carrd resource was made by Jule Kilgore-Reed, Occidental College C/O 2025. Use the email icon to contact them for any further questions/comments concerns. Thanks!