University of Suffolk Pronoun Guide

A GUIDE TO

PRONOUNS AND THEIR MEANING He/ Him

It/ Its

Ally

By the LGBTQ+ Staff Network They/ Them

Ze/ Zir

ABOUT THE LGBTQ+ STAFF NETWORK Values Statement

Vision/Mission Statement

The University of Suffolk LGBTQ+ staff network

The University of Suffolk LGBTQ+ staff network

is a fully inclusive group that offers a safe space

will strive to work closely with the University and

to discuss and work towards LGBTQ+ inclusivity,

collaborate with community groups to put on various

equality and diversity within the University

activities throughout the year to promote, engage,

community, and more widely within Suffolk.

and educate, to enrich the lives of the LGBTQ+

We are a group for all members of staff, whether in

community. We aim to do so to promote the network

professional, support or academic departments.

and inclusivity, and tolerance more widely.

We are a judgement-free group where people, regardless of their gender and sexuality, can build networks for socialising, support and academic

If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Lauren Smith, Culture Business Partner.

purposes.

Our group operates with an expectation of confidentiality and discretion, which all members and guests should respect. We provide a safe environment which encourages discussion in a non-judgmental and supportive way. This is a space for education and advocacy, where we can challenge discrimination and provide visibility and representation for the LGBTQ+ community.

Pronoun badges have been provided for staff and students to wear, and these have been made available across several locations in the University, including in the Student Centre, Student Union, Enterprise and Careers Zone, the Atrium and the Library.

“What are these?”

Pronoun Pins

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Created and funded by the University of Suffolk Staff Network, a pronoun pin enables you to easily identify another person’s pronouns.

We are happy to offer a diverse range. If you can’t find your pronouns represented, please take one with a white box so that you can write your own.

If you use multiple pronouns, please take more than one!

A pin is also a sign of solidarity

Ey/ Em

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with LGBTQIA+ staff and students, therefore this year we are also offering ‘Ally’ pins!

Please feel free to take one to wear on your lanyard.

PRONOUNS AND INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE Below is a brief overview of pronouns and inclusive language. This is by no means an exhaustive guide to treating everybody equitably

What are pronouns?

Pronouns are linguistic tools that we use to refer to

the same and demonstrate that we understand the

people. (i.e. they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/

importance of sharing pronouns. Using someone’s

his). We believe that it is important to give people the

correct pronouns is an important way of affirming

opportunity to state the pronoun that is correct to

someone’s identity and is a fundamental step in

use when referring to them.

being an ally.

Pronouns are integral to who we are, and we share

Common pronouns include she/her/hers, he/him/

pronouns because we want to avoid assuming

his, and they/them/theirs. There are other nonbinary

someone’s pronouns based on factors like

pronouns. It is important to ask people what their

appearance (e.g. referring to a group of femme

pronouns are. If you have questions, politely ask the

presenting people as ladies). By sharing our own

person if they feel comfortable giving examples of

pronouns routinely, we encourage others to do

how to use those pronouns

Examples of pronouns

Subject

Object

Possessive

(f)ae

(f)aer

(f)aer

(f)aers

(f)aerself

e/ey

em

eir

eirs

eirself

he

him

his

his

himself

per

per

pers

pers

perself

she

her

her

hers

Herself

they

them

their

theirs

themself

ve

ver

vis

vis

verself

xe

xem

zyr

xyrs

xemself

ze/zie

z/hir

z/hir

z/hirs

z/hirself

Example: Ze reminded zirself to pick up zir umbrella before going outside

Reflexive

How you could ask:

How you could share:

“What pronouns do you use?”

“I’m Jade and my pronouns are ze and hir.”

“What pronouns would you like me to use?”

“Leo, I prefer they and them, but he is fine too.”

Try to avoid using the phrases “preferred pronouns”

Other approaches to pronouns:

or “preferred name” as these suggest an element of flexibility or that someone’s identity is less than valid. Someone’s name and pronouns are not suggestions and are not preferred over something else. They are inherent to who we are.

Keep in mind some people may use certain pronouns in some contexts and not in others due to a variety of

“ Just my name, please.” “ No preference!”

“It’s better if you mix ‘em up!”

“No pronouns for me!”

They/them/theirs pronouns: While we might typically think of “they/them/theirs”

factors, including safety.

For example, a person may be openly transgender or trans* at work but not at home with their family. Some people use different names and different pronouns depending on the context.

It can be helpful to clarify in what situations someone uses certain pronouns. Remember it is up to each

as a plural pronoun, we actually use they to refer to an individual all the time without realizing it. When we refer to a person whose gender we do not know, we might use they as the pronoun: “I got a call from the doctor today.”

“What did they say?”

person how and when they choose to share part of

In this example, ‘they’ is used as a pronoun to refer to

their identity with others.

an individual.

Why can’t I just assume someone’s pronouns by looking at them?

By assuming someone’s pronouns based on how they

This is not always the case, and it is important to

look, one is implicitly reinforcing harmful stereotypes

understand and respect each individual’s identity.

about gender expression.

This is why we want to ask, not assume, someone’s

For example, that masculine-looking people always

pronouns and make a habit of introducing ourselves

use he/him/his pronouns.

with our pronouns.

She/ Her

Xe/ Xir

Per/ Per

Ve/ Ver