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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

Pronouns on BBC?

351 replies

thenonsensepotter · 21/04/2021 19:55

Watching Glow Up on iplayer and every time they show a contestants name on the screen their pronoun is included in brackets. I don't watch a lot of current TV, is this a proper "thing" now or just this one program?

OP posts:
ErrolTheDragon · 21/04/2021 21:55

The audience is sitting in their homes, surely? How will anyone know if they “misgender” someone?

Yes, it's completely and utterly pointless signalling of some sort.

Mewmin · 21/04/2021 21:56

I don't understand why a transman who decides they want to keep their feminine name of Ruth would then be offended by people using she/her if they obviously don't have a problem with using a female name? It doesn't make any sense.

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 21:57

@ErrolTheDragon

The audience is sitting in their homes, surely? How will anyone know if they “misgender” someone?

Yes, it's completely and utterly pointless signalling of some sort.

Okay. If you think that then sure. But many others don't. We don't mind. It's about as pointless as not giving your name or age.
Warmduscher · 21/04/2021 21:57

On social media, news outlets and stuff. It's pretty common for people to say their preferred pronouns. And it doesn't harm anyone. So let them do what they want.

But that’s still not an audience that the pronoun-announcer will be in contact with. I could listen to a news article while sitting on my sofa and “misgender” someone with no-one ever being any the wiser.

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 21:58

@Mewmin

I don't understand why a transman who decides they want to keep their feminine name of Ruth would then be offended by people using she/her if they obviously don't have a problem with using a female name? It doesn't make any sense.
I'd suggest speaking to the transgender community. There's a lot that goes into it. Plus names don't have to be tied to a gender/pronoun.
AssassinatedBeauty · 21/04/2021 21:58

"On social media, news outlets and stuff. It's pretty common for people to say their preferred pronouns."

No it's not pretty common. In some areas for certain specific demographics it might be more frequent, but in wider society and around the world it is not common at all. If people find that it is very common in their experience of social media and news, it is likely because they have a very narrow and restricted view of the world.

I'm with the cat. 🐈

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 21:58

@AssassinatedBeauty

"On social media, news outlets and stuff. It's pretty common for people to say their preferred pronouns."

No it's not pretty common. In some areas for certain specific demographics it might be more frequent, but in wider society and around the world it is not common at all. If people find that it is very common in their experience of social media and news, it is likely because they have a very narrow and restricted view of the world.

I'm with the cat. 🐈

I mean it's used quite frequently. Like within the NHS and all sorts.
Warmduscher · 21/04/2021 21:59

I'd suggest speaking to the transgender community.

But you said it’s not just trans people who announce their pronouns. So why just talk to trans people?

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 22:01

@Warmduscher

I'd suggest speaking to the transgender community.

But you said it’s not just trans people who announce their pronouns. So why just talk to trans people?

I meant on the name part. But as a cisgender person I display my pronouns often.
AssassinatedBeauty · 21/04/2021 22:02

Aaaaanyway.... what is Glow Up? Is it a makeover show?

Warmduscher · 21/04/2021 22:03

I meant on the name part. But as a cisgender person I display my pronouns often.

You don’t say.

Mewmin · 21/04/2021 22:03

I'd suggest speaking to the transgender community

I was asking in the hope that someone in or involved in the transgender community could explain this to me. Does that mean you can't answer my question? I'm genuinely trying to understand as it makes no sense to me at all.

mum2jakie · 21/04/2021 22:04

I'm not cisgender, I'm a woman. And I resent a publicly funded service trying to normalise this kind of shit.

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 22:04

@Mewmin

I'd suggest speaking to the transgender community

I was asking in the hope that someone in or involved in the transgender community could explain this to me. Does that mean you can't answer my question? I'm genuinely trying to understand as it makes no sense to me at all.

I mean it just depends on the person. Some people choose to change their name and some don't. Some people don't feel the need to.
ASugarr · 21/04/2021 22:04

@mum2jakie

I'm not cisgender, I'm a woman. And I resent a publicly funded service trying to normalise this kind of shit.
Okay
AfternoonToffee · 21/04/2021 22:07

The majority of people don't give a stuff about pronouns, they should only be used when you are not around so why does it really matter. If I am discussing Chris Red (fictional) who is currently singing on the TV, with my dh how will it have any effect on Chris which pronouns we use? That is why it makes no sense.

Quaagars · 21/04/2021 22:08

Probably more to do with the audience and others not misgendering. And it's become quite a common thing to do so it doesn't surprise me.

That makes sense, as in others misgendering.
Which is why people probably state them

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 22:08

@AfternoonToffee

The majority of people don't give a stuff about pronouns, they should only be used when you are not around so why does it really matter. If I am discussing Chris Red (fictional) who is currently singing on the TV, with my dh how will it have any effect on Chris which pronouns we use? That is why it makes no sense.
Okay if that's how you feel then that's fine.
Warmduscher · 21/04/2021 22:08

The great thing is, announcing your pronouns isn’t compulsory, or even useful to the vast majority of people.

I just inwardly sigh when I hear someone doing it, though I think the cat has a more honest approach.

LostToucan · 21/04/2021 22:10

But as a cisgender person I display my pronouns often.

Good for you.

For everyone that doesn’t feel the need to identify themselves as cisgender, announcing their pronouns doesn’t feature high on the radar.

Mewmin · 21/04/2021 22:10

But it makes no sense to not "feel the need" to change your name from Ruth when you become a transman but to then be offended if people use she/her pronouns. I just cannot see the logic here.

Stormwhale · 21/04/2021 22:10

It has just all become so ridiculous and I can't understand why the majority seem to go along with it. The need for the public announcement of pronouns feels like an attempt to force others to validate the person's gender identity. Why are we all supposed to care so much? Can't people just get on with it without demanding the rest of the world affirming their belief?

Stormwhale · 21/04/2021 22:11

Affirm*

ASugarr · 21/04/2021 22:12

@Mewmin

But it makes no sense to not "feel the need" to change your name from Ruth when you become a transman but to then be offended if people use she/her pronouns. I just cannot see the logic here.
Some don't see names as referring to gender. Men can be called Ruth. And all that. Most people would change their name. But even then that doesn't always give an accurate idea of who they are or their pronouns.
Quaagars · 21/04/2021 22:13

I'm not cisgender, I'm a woman. And I resent a publicly funded service trying to normalise this kind of shit

I used to think like this. as in not liking the word c** (thanks to MN)
Seriously, now though I think on reading other viewpoints, why is me being c** (starred out as know people don't like that word on here) an affront?
I'm still a woman, will never stop being so - just because there's trans women existing doesn't make me any less of one.