Post A FREE Business Listing & Grow Your Business!

Resources

LGBTQ and ALL Dictionary: A Guide to Pronouns

LGBTQ and ALL Dictionary: A Guide to Pronouns - he/Her,He/Him,He/They,She/They,Ze/Hir/Hirs,Ze/zir/zirs,Xe/Xem/Xyr,Ey/Em/Eir,Fae/Faer/Faers

LGBTQ and ALL Dictionary: A Guide to Pronouns

This article is part of our LGBTQ and All Dictionary series and is a guide to pronouns. This series will cover terms, concepts, and information about the LGBTQ+ community and will benefit queer people and allies. We are passionate about education and know that this series can empower everyone. 

Pronouns are something everyone uses every day in the English language. People use them when speaking about each other. Everyone uses different pronouns when referring to their gender identities. This series will explore all the different types of pronouns that people use, including neopronouns and mixed pronouns. 

What Are Some Commonly Used Pronouns?

While She/her/hers and he/him/his are some of the most familiar pronouns in our society, people also use gender-neutral pronouns. Many people may be familiar with one of the most common gender-neutral pronouns: they/them/theirs. These pronouns can be used in the singular. 

A Guide to Pronouns: What are neopronouns? 

Neopronouns are various new (neo) pronouns referring to a person’s gender identity. They are sometimes being used over more commonly used pronouns.

Neopronouns are any set of singular third-person pronouns not officially recognized in our language. In general, they are used to be a gender-neutral pronoun set. However, some people prefer neopronouns as an alternative gender-neutral pronoun. They can also be used to avoid any confusion that occurs with using the singular “they.” 

What Neopronouns Are Used?

Here is a small list of neopronouns:

  • Ze/Hir/Hirs
  • Ze/zir/zirs
  • Xe/Xem/Xyr
  • Ey/Em/Eir
  • Fae/Faer/Faers

You can find a table of commonly and uncommonly used neopronouns here: https://lgbtqia.fandom.com/wiki/Pronoun#Neopronouns.

Any person can use neopronouns to describe their gender. So even though many people think that neopronouns are gender-neutral, people who use them can actually identify by any gender. However, for the most part, they are used by transgender folks or gender non-conforming people.

All in all, mixed pronouns or pronoun pairs can feel affirming for many non-binary people. 

A Guide to Pronouns: What are Mixed Pronouns or Pronoun Pairs?

Mixed pronouns or pronoun pairs are when someone may use two or more sets of pronouns to describe their identities. For example, she/they. 

The reason people choose mixed pronouns is that it better reflects their identity. However, not all non-binary people feel they/them pronouns are right for their identity. For example, Ashleigh Shackelford, a cultural producer, multidisciplinary artist, non-binary shapeshifter, hood feminist, and data futurist, stated: 

“So much of the trauma and violence I moved through, and resilience and power I embodied is that of Black womanhood and Black femininity. In acknowledging that, I chose to use she/her pronouns because those pronouns were not afforded to me, and they are a derivative and gift of the time I spent in crafting my Black femme-ness in a world that denied me to do so. They represent the work and fight I put into my Black girlhood/womanhood within my alignment of gender expansiveness.”

Shackelford uses she/they pronouns because they have noticed how being non-binary and androgyny in our culture is shaped by normative views of whiteness, thinness, and masculinity. 

She continued: 

“I don’t like using they/them pronouns because it feels so foreign to me. It’s really no shade to those who have found a home in they/them, but more so calling into question the terms’ gender neutral’ and ‘neutrality in a world where nothing is neutral or objective, and often all defaults are based in masculinity and whiteness.”

Understanding She/They and He/They Pronouns

Many people may assume that being non-binary means that you will use they/them pronouns. However, this kind of thinking causes us to overlook non-binary people who use other pronouns. In addition, it excludes non-binary people from being affirmed for their gender identity. 

More specifically, some non-binary people will use “they/them” pronouns, mixed pronouns, neopronouns, he/him, and she/her pronouns. Even some people who aren’t non-binary will use “they/them” pronouns. Ultimately, everyone can choose whatever pronouns best reflect themselves; respecting people’s pronouns is essential. 

Takeaway

This article covers some of the basics when it comes to pronouns. Here is a brief list of all types of pronouns that people can use: 

  • She/Her
  • He/Him
  • He/They
  • She/They
  • Ze/Hir/Hirs
  • Ze/zir/zirs
  • Xe/Xem/Xyr
  • Ey/Em/Eir
  • Fae/Faer/Faers

However, this list is only scratching the surface as there are more pronouns people use, and our notions of gender continue to evolve and expand. 

It is essential to note that you should NEVER refer to an individual by the words “he-she” or “it.” These words are slurs used against transgender and gender non-conforming people. If you’re wondering how someone uses pronouns, asking the person is always good practice. 

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

About Author

You May Also Like

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

Building You Counselling, Virtual Counselling & Therapeutic Services
gu wellness counseling, Virtual Therapist Service in Denver, CO
Pagano Wellness Clinic – Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy in Richmond Virginia

Get Listed Today & Boost Your Business.
First Month Free!

Add to Collection

No Collections

Here you'll find all collections you've created before.