Pronouns

For many of us we consider using the wrong pronoun offensive, a form of harassment. We could be a little over sensitive with the pronouns that are used to describe us, but then when you are constantly the target of microaggressions you do get sensitive to pronouns. I found this article on the Huffington Post by Courtney O'Donnell about the use of pronouns in the media,

With incorrect, offensive, or downright transphobic phrases like "man in a dress," "male-to-female transsexual," "he calls himself Brandi," or, likely the most offensive of them all, "he-she," mainstream media simply cannot get it right. Sometimes it's deliberate, especially in tabloids and other media that use exploitation to generate revenue. In other instances ignorance prevails in the media by those who ought to know better.

In addition, even if one is aware of proper transgender terms or pronoun use, writers make gaffes, anchors misspeak, copy editors get confused, and proofreaders change previously fixed errors back into mistakes again.

So what do we do about the use of pronouns in the media? Do we fly off and send an angry email or comment? Do we just send them an email pointing out the AP Style Book? Or do we just ignore it?

Well I think we shouldn’t send off an angry email because one is it will mostly likely be ignored and two it makes us look like a bunch of angry whiners. I think if you just point out their errors you will bring about more change. Which do you think is more effective…?

F*** you! She is a WOMAN! Can’t you a**holes get it straight!
Or…
Many trans-people consider it offensive to use the wrong pronouns, you should go back and consult the AP Style Book to get the pronouns right.

Also you might just want to consider the source, if they are using the wrong pronouns to exploit us, why bang your head against the wall when you will not change anything. If you want to do something you might just leave a comment like, “I find your use of pronouns very offensive!”  Leaving an angry comment only fuels their fires and creates the controversy that they wanted to generate.

When I was interviewed during the hearings on the gender inclusive anti-discrimination bill, a friend who was with ctEQUALTY tried to point out to the reporter the proper use of pronouns to the reporter, she finally got through to him after he stopped being defensive and she was able to tell him about the AP Style Book. It must have sunk into him because he got my pronouns right in the article.

What are your thoughts?