Gender-Neutral Pronoun Policies

Gender-neutral pronoun policies were highly discussed this week. Multiple articles mentioned that the White House has added a gender neutral “Mx” and “they/them” option on their website’s contact page. One article mentioned that LGBTQ+ members are advocating for a federal law on gender-neutral ID options from the Biden administration within the first 100 days of his presidency. One advocate commented, “On my mortgage, I had to put the wrong gender, because they wouldn’t let me select my actual gender. I’ve had situations where people are going on what’s on my ID, and so then I have to basically out myself to them if I want for them to speak to me respectfully, which can be unsafe, and it’s also just uncomfortable and exhausting having to continuously educate and advocate for myself.”

Meanwhile, council members in North Andover, Massachusetts have changed their title of Board of Selectmen to a gender neutral Select Board. The Pawtucket City Council in Rhode Island recently eliminated gendered pronouns in their legislation and replaced them with gender neutral ones. Council member Alexis Schuette commented, “I also felt it was my responsibility, running as an out, queer, progressive person. I use she/her pronouns, but because I kind of give off vibes that aren’t traditionally feminine, I do get asked a lot, you know, what are my pronouns? And I appreciate those types of questions. It led me to realize, when I was looking at the rules sheet, that it would potentially help folks who maybe don’t fall into a gender binary spectrum.”