International Pronouns Day, celebrated last month on October 21, seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace.
Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity.
Diversity Works New Zealand Head of Membership Services Mary Haddock-Staniland was the keynote speaker at advertising group Omnicom’s trans-Tasman virtual event marking the day.
Mary says having open and honest conversations in organisations helps change the dial for everyone, including those marginalised groups and their allies and advocates.
“We know referring to the person with the wrong pronoun affects the transgender and gender non-conforming people the most.”
International Pronouns Day began in 2018 and takes place on the 3rd Wednesday of October each year.
Visit the International Pronouns Day website for resources and videos that can help you open this conversation in your workplace.
Or check out advice from Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission on pronoun use in email signatures.
