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"Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity," says a co-creator of the observance.
Today is International Pronouns Day, observed on the third Wednesday of October every year.
The day was created by a consortium of people in higher education and first observed in 2018.
"International Pronouns Day seeks to make asking, sharing, and respecting personal pronouns commonplace," the co-creator of the day, Luca Maurer, wrote in The Advocate that year. "Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity, but many transgender and gender-nonconforming people are regularly called by the wrong pronouns, which fuels marginalization, invisibility, and far too often violence."
Several LGBTQ+ organizations and others have tweeted about the day.
LGBTQ+ crisis help organization The Trevor Project wrote on Twitter, "Remember that respecting pronouns can be lifesaving."
The Human Rights Campaign wrote, "This #InternationalPronounsDay and every day, commit to making the world more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and others by using the right pronouns."
GLSEN explained, "Pronouns give everyone the chance to self-identify instead of assuming someone's identity or which pronouns they use. Including pronouns is a first step toward respecting people's identity and creating a more welcoming space for people of all genders."
The group also offers suggestions about sharing pronouns or asking people for theirs. GLSEN says that it's not impolite to be direct and ask what pronouns a person uses. "The more we ask everyone for their pronouns, the more it becomes normalized."
\u201c"More people have seen it as safe and possible to come out, and that\u2019s why there\u2019s going to be more identification and use of [gender neutral] pronouns." - Dr. Alan Smerbeck, RIT Psychology Associate Professor \n#InternationalPronounsDay\nhttps://t.co/6D6HmpgUZs\u201d— NCLR \u2013 National Center for Lesbian Rights (@NCLR \u2013 National Center for Lesbian Rights) 1666213214
\u201cToday is International #PronounsDay! A great day to share something gendery I had the honor of doing for a friend recently.\n\nThey called me & slowly said they were considering that they might not be cisgender.\n\nI offered something in support that I think anyone can do! \ud83e\uddf51/?\u201d— Crystal M. Huff, \u8d6b \u6676 (they/them) (@Crystal M. Huff, \u8d6b \u6676 (they/them)) 1666175987
\u201cHappy #InternationalPronounsDay \ud83d\udc97\u201d— Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest (@Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest) 1666202948
\u201cOn #InternationalPronounDay, remember that respecting pronouns can be lifesaving \ud83d\udcca\n\nart by journey_to_wellness_ on IG with @thejeffreymarsh \ud83c\udfa8\n\nLearn more about how to honor the day at @PronounsDay \ud83e\udde1 #pronouns\u201d— The Trevor Project (@The Trevor Project) 1666199104
\u201cThis #InternationalPronounsDay and every day, commit to making the world more inclusive for LGBTQ+ people and others by using the right pronouns. \n\nCheck out HRC\u2019s "My Pronouns Are\u201d pins https://t.co/RP9hnzOdk8\u201d— Human Rights Campaign (@Human Rights Campaign) 1666209629
\u201cIt\u2019s International Pronouns Day! Sharing your pronouns helps create more inclusive and welcoming spaces for people of all genders.\n\nTap through to learn more about pronouns, and click the link below in our thread to download our Pronouns guide. (1/2) #InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— GLSEN (@GLSEN) 1666194541
\u201cRespecting pronouns is a basic and meaningful way to acknowledge our humanity. We all have the right to be addressed by the name and pronouns we determine for ourselves. #InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— GLAD (@GLAD) 1666215000
\u201cToday more than ever, the use of pronouns is being politicised and mocked at the expense of LGBTQ+ people wanting to normalise them.\u2060\n\u2060\nSo, this #InternationalPronounsDay, we're sharing just four of the many ways you can help make pronouns an everyday part of conversation \ud83d\udc47\u201d— GAY TIMES (@GAY TIMES) 1666170004
\u201cWe're encouraging people everywhere to use appropriate pronouns and inclusive language during #InternationalPronounsDay and always.\n\nNever assume the gender of another person based on appearance or name. Instead, politely ask for and use pronouns to help create a safe space.\u201d— Southern Poverty Law Center (@Southern Poverty Law Center) 1666184419
\u201cI\u2019m Secretary Deb Haaland, and my pronouns are she/her. I share my pronouns to create the space for others to do so without putting the burden only on them. Including pronouns in an intro or email can create a more inclusive environment for everyone. #InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— Secretary Deb Haaland (@Secretary Deb Haaland) 1666211514
\u201cPronouns and inclusive language matter. \n\nReferring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is not difficult. \n\nWhile it may take practice, it\u2019s important to affirming human dignity. \n\n#InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— Billie Jean King (@Billie Jean King) 1666184980
\u201c#PronounsMatter \n\nEveryone has the right to use \nand be referred to by their \npreferred pronouns. \n\n#EU4LGBTIQ \ud83c\uddea\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\udf08\n#InternationalPronounsDay\n#UnionOfEquality\u201d— EU Justice (@EU Justice) 1666161240
\u201cPronouns give everyone a chance to self-identify instead of assuming someone\u2019s identity or which pronouns they use. Including pronouns is the first step towards respecting one\u2019s identity and creating more space for people of all genders. #InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— Rainbow Africa Initiative (@Rainbow Africa Initiative) 1666203302
\u201cRespecting a person\u2019s name, pronouns, and gender is about respecting that person.\n\nNo matter your pronouns, you have the right to show up in your life as your whole self every day. #InternationalPronounsDay\u201d— ACLU of Indiana (@ACLU of Indiana) 1666189142
\u201cIt's #InternationalPronounsDay - a great day to dig into ways to be a better ally to trans people, including nonbinary people!\n\nCheck out our @S4Equality resources, including our guide to being a trans ally, at https://t.co/WqAKdDIpmd!\u201d— PFLAG National (@PFLAG National) 1666212035
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