I am being asked to go into a meeting and introduce my pronouns to everyone in an hour and a half!

[WhatTheFuckHappenedHere]

I am part of a work group tasked with running a big event that will take almost a year to plan. The first meeting is in an hour and a half over Zoom. The organiser, who I've never met, and goes by they/them pronouns according to the email signature, sent round an email reminder this morning with the meeting link, and including an agenda. The first thing on it is to introduce ourselves, our work area, an our gender pronouns. I don't really want to do this, but I need to work with this person and the group as a whole for the best part of a year! I'm feeling like I'll just have to go along with it lest I get accused of enacting literal and actual violence. Any advice?

Really want to know how it went... and saving some of these for future references.

Delirium we need to go to meetings together.

Placemarking to see what you said... some brilliant suggestions!

[quote Coffeecak3]@CaptainCorellisPangolin at the upcoming meeting you really should reference this.
Hello, I'm Pangolin or some of you may know me by xxx's description as that goddam fucking duke![/quote]
It is tempting. Oh so very tempting.
We have a very elderly vicar sitting in on it (he's contributing to something we're publishing). Really, that should deter me but it only makes me want to do it more.

Also placematking. I’m intrigued to see if the OP”s colleague has the balls (e cause my sexism/genderism!!) to reject being asked. World’ has gone mad. Can’t people (is it offensive to say people??) just use names?

I prefer not to say, or would you mind if I don't, seems the most neutral response if you are not wanting to nail your gender critical stance to the mast.

Lurking to find out what happened. I suspect this will come soon in my work place.

'I'd prefer you just refer to me by my name, which is...'.

On here once someone posted that if asked their pronouns they'd say 'it/it's' and it really made me laugh, I chuckle every time I think about it. I'd love to do it but I doubt I could keep a straight face.

Hope it went ok OP.

Can you imagine if someone asked you ten years ago, hell even three years ago, “what are your pronouns?” - you’d be stumped as to what the hell the meant. I would be tempted to look at them as if they’d just asked a question from outer space actually.

I wanna know what happened!

Shamelessly place marking.

What would happen in these situations if you just looked blank and said "the usual ones" ? (Does this make me evil?)

Wear a low cut top, lots of red lipstick, and declare HE/HIM. What a nonsense it is so treat it as such.

This is unfair on trans people who are not 'out' IMO. Its unfair on women too really, and men..but the one that will be listened to above all else is that transpeople should not be MADE to state their pronouns as they are a very personal thing and.

It does imply that people need to state it - so it’s not automatically obvious then?

No idea abut the extra and there

When my dads workmates were told to do this (albeit on emails, rather than in person) they started identifying as god and such, and had emails shooting arund the office ending in 'banana/bananself' and stuff. I doubt that would go down too well in person though, or in a group less closely knitted than they were!

Oooh @WhatTheFuckHappenedHere please come back...

Let us know how you get on! I’d ignore this too.

It is tempting. Oh so very tempting.
We have a very elderly vicar sitting in on it (he's contributing to something we're publishing). Really, that should deter me but it only makes me want to do it more.

I veyr much doubt if he would be shocked!

Say you're having intersectional feminist/gender counselling to help you decide on your pro-noun but it is long and traumatic and, at the moment, being forced to identify could lead to a trauma.

In fact, the whole thing is insensitive and triggering and you will need a week of work to deal with the feelings it has stirred up.

When I put mine on a thread recently I was deleted and given a warning. Tbh I was a bit pissed off they assumed I wasn't serious. How can one tell the difference?

I'd probably go with 'I'm a woman, thanks', smile sweetly and mute, looking expectantly for next person.

But I'd like to ponder why it's relevant and if pushed I might say 'If I say he do I get a pay rise?' LOL. Just bantz.

Great post Marial, I feel pretty much the same.

Another one lurking to find out what happened - hope it was uneventful for you, OP. Some great serious and not-so-serious options here and @CaptainCorellisPangolin, that made me laugh!