Why some people use she/they & he/they pronouns

When Elliot Page came out as trans in December of 2020, he announced that his preferred pronouns were “he” and “they.” In doing so, he joined the ranks of other celebrities who have accepted “rolling pronouns,” including The Crown’s Emma Corrin (she/they), My Chemical Romance vocalist Gerard Way (he/they), Grey’s Anatomy star Sara Ramirez (she/they), singer Kehlani (she/they), and The Crown actress Emma Corrin.

But what exactly are rolling pronouns, and why do some people prefer them over a single set? And how do you use them respectfully? Keep reading to find out.

Related: Why should we be adding pronouns to our email signatures?

What Are Rolling Pronouns?

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Rolling pronouns refer to the use of multiple pronouns that can be used alternately or shift over time — and there are certainly a lot of gender pronouns to choose from. Typically, people who prefer using multiple sets of pronouns also encourage others to rotate through all of them or mix them around when speaking to or referring to them.

According to the 2020 Gender Census, roughly a third of transgender and non-binary people prefer to use two sets of pronouns. Over 10% stated that they were happy with even three or more sets. Also, rolling pronouns are becoming more common since an increasing number of young people are identifying as non-binary.

So, why do some people prefer to use rolling pronouns over just one set? For some, using rolling pronouns provides an opportunity to recognize their relationship with a particular gender.

For example, a person who identifies as a non-binary lesbian may want to affirm that, despite identifying as non-binary, they still feel connected to some parts of their womanhood or femininity – especially their lesbian identity. Thus, they may opt to use she/they pronouns.

For genderfluid people, multiple pronouns are necessary for affirming their fluctuating gender identity. For example, Jonathan Van Ness of Queer Eye fame, who uses she/he/they pronouns, explains, “The older I get, the more I think that I’m nonbinary – I’m gender non-conforming. Like, some days I feel like a man, but then other days I feel like a woman.”

Others use rolling pronouns as an act of defiance in a society that demands to binarize gender or try to fit it into neat categories. For those who believe that gender (at least in the way they experience it) is not fixed, using multiple pronouns is a way of dismantling oppressive gender roles and norms.

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A post shared by Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)

What Does She/They Mean?

She/they pronouns are pronouns that are often used by non-binary people who are assigned female at birth as well as transfeminine people. Usually, people use she/they pronouns to signify their connection with femininity while affirming their non-binary identity.

Writer and podcast host Ada Powers explains their use of she/they pronouns as follows: “I identify as a woman, but also as nonbinary. I don’t feel womanhood tells my full story, but I’m not fully divested from it, either.” But another person may use the same pronouns to communicate something else, such as “She/her is fine, but I also use they/them and would probably appreciate getting they/them’d from time to time.”

LGBTQ Nation writer Keegan Williams has said that using she/they pronouns has made them feel more liberated and free from social constraints about gender expectations and presentation. Out singer Halsey said that using she/they pronouns made them feel more in touch with their own body and sense of human-ness.

What Does He/They Mean?

He/they pronouns are typically used by non-binary people who are assigned male at birth or transmasculine people. Just like with she/they pronouns, people may use he/they pronouns to honor their connection to their masculinity while signifying the importance of recognizing their non-binary or genderfluid identity.

Singer Gerard Way and Star Trek: Discovery star Ian Alexander are two examples of people who use he/they pronouns.

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How To Use Rolling Pronouns

Rolling pronouns can be rotated or alternated within the same sentence, from one sentence to another, or from conversation to conversation. But how do you know just when to alternate the use of each pronoun set?

It depends on the person. Some people prefer to have their pronouns used alternately throughout a conversation or a text. For example, “He’s coming to the party. They just got caught up at work.” But others may prefer one pronoun set over another on different days. This is particularly true for genderfluid folks, who fluctuate from one gender identity to another.

The bottom line? Just ask. If someone tells you they use multiple sets of pronouns, make sure to ask them how they prefer to be referenced. Some folks will have a main set of choices that you can use consistently, while others will be more firm on the use of all pronouns alternately. Don’t just assume based on their appearance or their behavior or even the way others have referred to them in the past.

It’s also important to note that some people may introduce their pronouns in order of preference. For example, some folks may introduce their pronouns as “she/they”, while others will use “they/she”. Again, when in doubt, just ask.

Why Gender Pronouns Matter

To understand why pronouns matter so much to trans and gender non-conforming people, it’s important to understand gender dysphoria or the feeling of distress or discomfort that comes from the disconnect between one’s assigned sex at birth and one’s gender identity. For people who suffer from dysphoria, having a name or a pronoun that doesn’t match your identity can feel really uncomfortable – painful, even.

In fact, studies have found that deliberate acts of misgendering or dead-naming (using the wrong pronouns or the original name) of trans and gender non-conforming people are linked to higher incidences of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Pronouns and chosen names help to affirm a person’s identity and personal conception of their true selves. To deny someone their preferred name and pronouns would be like denying them their identity.

Related:

Kevin Sorbo mocked for “Herculean stupidity” because he didn’t know what pronouns are

“Y’all should really stop banning books.”

How To Be An Ally To Trans And Non-binary People Who Use Rolling Pronouns

If you want to do right by your trans and gender non-conforming friends, the easiest thing you can do is to honor their preferred pronouns and chosen names. It’s as simple as that. Never deliberately misgender or dead-name your friends or anyone else whose name and pronouns you’re aware of.

Don’t know someone’s preferred pronouns? When meeting someone for the first time, it’s always best to introduce yourself by giving your name and your own preferred pronouns. That gives the other person a clear indication that you’re someone who can be trusted to respect their pronouns, as well as prompts them to introduce their own if they so please.

Note that not everyone is in favor of asking others their personal pronouns, especially in a public setting. This is because some folks may still be in the process of discovering their gender identity, while others may not want to out themselves just yet.

Aside from this, there are a few more ways you can be a proper ally to folks who use rolling pronouns.

Using Pronouns to Make More Inclusive Workplaces

Whether your workplace is a school or job, actively acknowledging gender pronouns in job and educational settings can help establish an inclusive and respectful environment for trans and gender-fluid people. This is especially important since trans, nonbinary, and genderfluid people experience higher levels of discrimination and harassment in workplaces than cisgender people. Studies have also shown that employees who feel supported and respected are usually happier and more engaged with their work and colleagues.

Today is #InternationalPronounDay, an opportunity to make respecting, sharing, and educating about pronouns part of every day life.

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we'll be rolling out ID badges in the coming months that will provide a space to include chosen pronouns. pic.twitter.com/eNhV5nAuem

— Bolton NHS Foundation Trust (@boltonnhsft) October 19, 2022

Here are some ways to incorporate gender identities and pronouns into the workday.

• Learn about your workplace’s gender policies: Even progressive workplaces can reinforce restrictive gender norms. But remember: the Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of unconstitutional sex discrimination. Learn about your school or company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and guidelines regarding gender — including pronoun use, bathroom access, coming out/notification, and dress code policies. Also, learn your national and state laws on gender and share this information with colleagues.
• Introducing yourself by stating your pronouns: When meeting new people in person at the start of a call, you can say, for example, “Hello, I’m Jennifer, and my pronouns are she/her.” This normalizes the idea of sharing one’s personal pronouns, signals that you’re an ally, and makes it easier for trans and gender non-conforming people to do it without feeling like the odd one out.
• Including your preferred pronouns in your social media bios and email signature: You can also normalize pronouns by adding them anywhere your name appears in a professional setting, like on name tags, your nameplate on video calls, or even with a small pin that states your pronouns.
• Speaking up for LGBTQ people: If you see someone get misgendered or dead-named by a classmate, teacher, colleague, or boss, make an effort to defend that person and explain why it is important to honor their name and pronouns. Oftentimes, LGBTQ people may feel too afraid to defend themselves out of fear of losing their jobs or subjecting themselves to further scrutiny.
• Respecting people’s privacy: Some individuals may not feel ready to openly disclose their own gender identities or pronouns. Others may be willing to tell you, but not others. It’s important to respect their preferred level of privacy and never out a trans, nonbinary, or genderfluid person to others.
• Helping colleagues who accidentally misgender others: If somone accidentally misgenders a colleague, don’t make a big deal of it: Simply state, for example, “Oh, Greg uses she/they pronouns.” If a colleague expresses confusion or irritation, you can explain that it’s okay to make mistakes sometimes and that the correct pronouns make your colleagues feel valued and respected.
• Reading books and articles and consuming media written by trans and gender non-conforming people: LGBTQ people often take on the emotional labor of explaining LGBTQ concepts to cis-hetero people. This can be mentally exhausting, as it often requires LGBTQ people to delve into personal experiences that may be painful to unearth. Share what you learn with others.

Using Pronouns in Social Media

Sharing pronouns on social media also matters since it reveals our gender identity to loved ones and educates strangers about the world of gender diversity. Some platforms, like Facebook, allow new users to choose a wide range of pronouns from a dropdown menu when creating their profile. Other social media platforms, like X or Discord, allow users to add their own gender identities manually to their personal bios that display on their profiles.

Some social media platforms — like Discord, Facebook, Instagram, and Threads — have policies that forbid other users from deliberately misgendering each other.

“We believe that people use their voice and connect more freely when they don’t feel attacked on the basis of who they are,” Meta (the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and Threads) wrote, adding that it forbids such behavior to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming online space.

Intersectionality of Gender Identity and Neurodiversity

Individuals with gender and sexual identities outside the cisgender-heterosexual binaries are also three to six times more likely to have been diagnosed with autism, a condition that affects communication and interactions, according to a 2020 study published in Nature Communications.

This study suggests that there may be some overlap between neurodivergence and LGBTQ+ identities. In fact, autistic writer Devrupa Rakshit said that this overlap may result “from challenges in navigating sociocultural norms around mainstream notions of gender and sexuality.” While more study is needed to understand the link, realizing the intersectionality of both can provide a more nuanced view of gender identity for us to appreciate.

The Bottom Line

It is important to be aware of and use gender pronouns correctly, especially for transgender and non-binary individuals. Rolling pronouns are a new way of using gender pronouns that more accurately reflect the diversity of genders (and people’s relationship with gender) in our world. By using rolling pronouns correctly, we can create a more inclusive environment for everyone.

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