Pronouns in email

One of the things I find upsetting about the avalanche of this bullshit is that it’s getting to the point where if you don’t announce your pronouns you are automatically assumed to be a bigot.
I have been trying to understand where the advocates of this are coming from (not the TRAs, but your everyday virtue signallers in the workplace). I think their thinking goes that one must display one’s pronouns so that trans people don’t feel the odd one out when they have to state theirs, because it’s not immediately obvious.
I can see the logic in that to a certain extent. But why can’t we just foster the sort of environment where someone needn’t feel bad for announcing their pronouns, if they feel the need? Isn’t that what real inclusion is?

Sorry to say again what I already said, but the Yogyakarta principles which I referred to above are THE guiding principles for transgenderism and they definitely would argue against mandatory pronoun declarations. So play them at their own game and outwoke them!

I would say I prefer to keep my pronoun preferences private.

Actually, that's it. Just tell them that requiring pronouns is transphobic. And don't say anything else. Leave them to sweat and figure out why.

I know you meant this as a joke (and I think it's a good idea btw!) but it got me thinking that it is pretty transphobic to force someone to identify what their gender identity (if they believe they have one) is. Hmmm.....

I always feel a little bit disappointed when I see someone using them, but I think most people do it to ‘be kind’ and for ‘woke points’ and not because they actually sign up to it.

Possibly not the best career move - you never know when you're dealing with a GC feminist

I tend to agree. It is basically you putting up a sign saying "I'm gullible and/or poor of critical thinking and/or susceptible to peer pressure".

It's not not a good look.

Conversely I expect you're judged the other way by not doing it as "transphobic" (at least until they decide putting the pronouns in IS transphobic, which will probably be in a couple of months - see "womxn").

Actually, that's it. Just tell them that requiring pronouns is transphobic. And don't say anything else. Leave them to sweat and figure out why. And if they ask why threaten to raise their transphobia further.

I & me
they are pronouns aren't they?

It’s going to happen any day at my place.
I’m going to go for: all/the/virtues

You summed it up in your first post OP - why should you be forced to declare your sex or your gender identity (if you have one)? What relevance is it to how you are treated? It should be none, but if you're female it could result in you being disadvantaged.

It might work fine for 'he/hims' who are declaring 'I am the male default human - the one who runs things and owns things'.
I'm sure there's a de beauvoir quote - something about before I'm allowed to define myself first I have to say I'm a woman.

If you're quite senior I think there's a real argument for senior management having a mixture of with and without pronouns, modelling both, so ppl are comfirtsble to put them in, but also comfortable to leave them out. Some ppl have good reasons not to, & not just the reasons we have here.

A friend (a man) who has a v senior role told me last week he’s started doing this and encouraging his large team to do so. I challenged this and he said ‘it makes no difference to me/you, but could help some people’ and wasn’t interested when I raised a couple of the points above.

He has some sexist attitudes so I shouldn’t’ve been surprised.

It's insidious in secondary schools. I do judge people who do it. I don't even want an 'email signature'. I sign off in different ways depending who I'm emailing. I feel
I'm a competent enough human being to do that.

I’m retired now, but when I was at work (hospital doctor) I simply ignored any crap like this from NHS management. Don’t engage with it, don’t encourage them.
It’s usually a silly fad that enthuses them for a few weeks/months, then they move on to some other daft shit.
Most managers are too busy to spend time policing staff emails to see if you’re playing the current woke game.

There seem to be more and more people putting "their" pronouns in their email signatures, linkedin profiles etc etc. I immediately loose all respect (professional and personal) for people doing this. Possibly not the best career move - you never know when you're dealing with a GC feminist .

I wouldn't.

I'd put he and him for a laugh.

Sammiesnake

Saying it’s triggering is a brilliant response thank you!

Or

"Countless peer reviewed studies show that if I indicate that I am female, part of an ethnic minority, and/or am not hetrosexual, that I will be prejudiced against. Especially as a female, many will negatively impact my work.

I prefer to keep a semblance of anonymity in the workplace due to misogynistic sexist racist homophobic cunts people judging. My professional actions can be judged on merit.

Thank you for the invite. I decline it.

@GCAcademic it came from a university

I want to be judged on my work not on the fact I'm a woman.
It disadvantages me to point this out.

...... That worked for me...

I just said I didn't feel comfortable announcing my pronouns yet. I got a quizzical look from my line manager but then she left it. No one said anything after that.

Those who have been asked to do it may I ask what sector you work in ? Public sector , private , charity ?

Nah I won’t be doing this if asked.
Not. A. Chance.

Can’t see them asking though, thankfully.

I had an email at work and everyone else seems to have done it but I'm not.

Haven't mentioned it, just haven't done it.

Taking the line that is not helpful for people who haven't made up their minds is one way to go.

Or pointing out how fucking stupid the whole thing is.

But it is not mandatory