pronouns on signatures

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

At work, we've been reminded that putting our preferred pronouns on our email signatures is inclusive (the implication that not doing so is excluding/othering).

I really don't want to do this. I don't see why it's anyone else's business whether I'm male or female. My name is definitely a female name but even if it wasn't, would it matter? My dh has a name which is used by men and women and it's never been an issue for him either.

I know I'll be pressured into doing this and want to be clear in my arguments as to why I feel uncomfortable. However, although I do feel uncomfortable with it, when I think about it logically, I can't articulate why.

There have been many threads about this subject. Can I suggest you search for them and read what has already been written?

How can it be ‘inclusive’ if it is forced? And yea - there are other threads that make good arguments.

Yes there are lots of other threads but just to add that I've changed my mind about how to deal with this. I'm just saying, 'No thank you, don't want to do that.'

If I'm asked to introduce myself in a meeting, I say, 'I don't have any preferred pronouns.'
Basically I'm keeping it as minimal as I can: no explanation, no justification and definitely no smart arse remarks, nothing they can note down and throw back in my face.
It's worked so far.

What Floisme said. Also this might be helpful?

legalfeminist.org.uk/2020/07/19/pronouns-compulsion-and-controversy/

That's a good approach, Floisme.

Thanks everyone.

I knew there had been threads before but couldn't remember the arguments. I scrolled back several pages but couldn't find one. I'll have a look at the website suggested.

The short version is ‘make me, fuck off’ (but I’m a grumpy old Glaswegian)

As above. The only thing I'd add is that you can say that many trans people find it very upsetting, so it isn't actually inclusive to trans people. Blaire White for example, says (I paraphrase) "I went to all the trouble of taking hormones and having surgeries for people to actually perceive me as a woman, and then you ask me what my pronouns are? It's really upsetting and insulting".

I don’t believe in gender. It’s like someone asking me what my star sign is.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/gender-inequality-man-woman-switch-names-week-martin-schneider-nicky-knacks-pay-gap-a7622201.html%3famp

This thread might be useful.
http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4232878-Pronouns-in-email-signatures-advice-and-arguments-please

I am resisting this as well (NHS) and my heart sinks every time I see this.
I have said in a meeting that I don't think my gender is relevant in the workplace and I did get a few nods.

Staff at the national umbrella organisation for the local org I work for have started doing this and I’m worried it’s going to trickle down.

The worst of it is they’ve linked to this article in their signature to explain why the pronouns are there - so many things I disagree with here, I don’t know where to start medium.com/gender-inclusivit/why-i-put-pronouns-on-my-email-signature-and-linkedin-profile-and-you-should-too-d3dc942c8743

I still like

She Rah/Master of the Universe

But Floisme's answer is better. Failing that fuck off could work too Toffee.

Yes what Flo said. Anything else becomes a bit defensive and there is no need.

I think quite a powerful argument against it is that its not inclusive at all.

Can you imagine the horror if it was compulsory for people to put their sexual orientation on there email signature?

Following that analogy, no one would think that loads of people putting 'heterosexual' on their signature would make it easier for people who aren't heterosexual to publically announce their orientation. There would rightly be concerns about people being opened up to discrimination and disadvantage.

And what about people who aren't 'out'? They have to chose between suddenly and publically announcing their gender identity - which could then be forwarded on to anyone and everyone without their knowledge - or they can keep their head down, put their pronouns as they are currently perceived, and have that shoved in their face every time they write an email.

Re announcing your pronouns at a meeting I saw a great tweet, (which I probably can't find) but it said something along the lines: I reply "I prefer to use nouns. I am a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, a work colleague, a friend. I try to do my best in all these roles".
I think that would confound anyone at such a meeting.
If I am ever at a meeting and asked my pronouns I'm going to use that.

Obviously it can be personalised to suit for those that don't include some of those nouns. But I think the gist is to hit them with a load of gendered nouns as well as workplace relevant nouns iyswim.

I think everyone's situation is different but, if there's any whiff of compulsion, including 'friendly reminders' and peer pressure, and if you're concerned enough to post on here, then I'm going to reiterate that I firmly believe the less you give them the better.

Just saw LinkedIn asking me for my pronouns. Um... nah.

What I mean is that, there are some excellent arguments, both on here and on the other threads, for anyone whose workplace is reasonable or whose position is secure. But if not then anything you say - however rational and however convincing it may sound on here - becomes ammunition that could be stored and turned on you. So don't give them any, or as little as you possibly can.

Not the choice if you want to keep your head down, but ... you could put in a complaint about the organisation's violation of the Yogyakarta Principles on sexual orientation and gender identity. Specifically Principle 6 on the Right to Privacy:

6(f) Ensure the right of all persons ordinarily to choose when, to whom and how to disclose information pertaining to their sexual orientation or gender identity, and protect all persons from arbitrary or unwanted disclosure, or threat of disclosure of such information by others.

yogyakartaprinciples.org/principle-6/

[I do think the pressure to draw attention to your sex in email signatures is a bad thing all round, and Yogyakarta has that bit right; but it's not the kind of document necessarily to promote. Article here on it, thecritic.co.uk/issues/april-2021/the-trans-rights-that-trump-all/
including comments from one of the original authors, Robert Wintemute, regretting that when they drafted it “Women’s rights weren’t raised.” Who would have guessed that ever happens? ]

@NotTerfNorCis

Just saw LinkedIn asking me for my pronouns. Um... nah.

Haha me too! I said ‘aw get tae fuck’ loudly (forgetting I was on a teams meeting call. Oh well, my team know I’m a foul mouthed woman...

It has just occurred to me that any push, however light, for people to disclosure of any protected characteristics could be seen as an infringement of their rights. And ppl asked to put pronouns could decline saying they do not wish to disclosure to the public their protected characteristics.

Is this sound? I’m going to post on all the pronouns threads to check.