Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Pronouns in email

186 replies

Sammiesnake · 04/03/2021 18:27

I’ve just been asked to identify my pronouns on my email signature at work and I’m finding it hard to put into words why this upsets me.

For the record, I’m not bothered at all what others choose to call themselves and accept any pronouns asked of me just as I do anyone’s name. It’s up to them.

However, I don’t want to be pointing out that I’m a female in my email signature. Why do I have to announce my gender in a work email? Why is it even relevant at all to my work? I want to be responded to as a competent adult at work, not as a female particularly.

I can’t explain how it makes me feel but basically I find it upsetting that I should have to have my gender visible on every single email I send which really has nothing to do with my gender at all!

Does anyone else feel like this? Have you managed to explain this to your workplace?
Thanks

OP posts:
weebarra · 04/03/2021 18:59

Yes, too triggering and you don't feel comfortable with it.

GCAcademic · 04/03/2021 18:58

@AnyFucker

I received one of these fucking ridiculous communications today.

An email sign off of Name (she/her)

Virtue signalling at it’s most craven

You want to try working in a university. It's every bloody day.

OP: tell them you can't, because it's too triggering. If they push, say you're not ready to talk about it.

SleepingBeaver · 04/03/2021 18:57

Is 'Da Bitch' a suitable sign off ?

FlyPassed · 04/03/2021 18:56

Someone suggested this at my workplace and I just said no thanks, I don't feel comfortable doing that. If pressed I would either say that I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I'm female because sexism still exists.

AnyFucker · 04/03/2021 18:52

I received one of these fucking ridiculous communications today.

An email sign off of Name (she/her)

Virtue signalling at it’s most craven

NecessaryScene1 · 04/03/2021 18:50

Do you even know what your pronouns are? I've still not chosen any yet, so I wouldn't want anyone to be pressuring me to make a decision.

These pronouns seem to be really, really, really important, and I don't want to get it wrong.

In the meantime people can choose whatever they like - (most seem to follow the traditional sex-based convention to minimise confusion) - I just can't handle this sort of commitment if I have to choose custom ones.

JSL52 · 04/03/2021 18:49

I just texted gnome them.
Some people have them on their ID badges.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 04/03/2021 18:45

If they insist then go for he/her/god.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 04/03/2021 18:45

Then follow up with it’s proven to disadvantage women if people are reminded they are female.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 04/03/2021 18:44

It is against the Yogyakarta principles to require people to out their own gender identity. Tell them that and watch them squirm.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 04/03/2021 18:29

Just say that putting your gender in your email signature makes you feel uncomfortable.

If it is pressed point out that some people might not be out in the workplace and this forces them to either misgender themselves or out themselves.

Swipe left for the next trending thread