This article was written by the EVPA Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Today is International Pronouns Day. Pronouns are used every day to communicate with people around us, and often times personal pronouns are assigned to people based upon our own biases or assumptions of a person’s gender, gender identity and gender expression. It’s important we use the correct words, as one way, to respectfully talk about and reference one another.

What is International Pronouns Day?

International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. This day raises our awareness to be gender inclusive and reminds us of the basic human dignity of appreciating and celebrating everyone’s multiple, intersecting identities. For more information, you can visit https://pronounsday.org.

How can I contribute to a gender-inclusive environment?

• Speak and write in a way that does not discriminate against a particular sex, social gender, or gender identity, and does not perpetuate gender stereotypes
• Share your pronouns when introducing yourself to people
• Don’t make assumptions; ask people to share their pronouns
• Always use the pronouns that a person asks you to use
• Include your pronouns in your email signature or other communications
• Complete the Quest: Building Capacity for LGBTQA+ Inclusion online education program

What action is the university taking to advance gender inclusion?

• A workgroup charged by Melissa Woo, Ph.D., Executive Vice President for Administration and Chief Information Officer, and Jabbar R. Bennett, Ph.D., Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer, made recommendations to update how data systems at the enterprise level gather information on names and pronouns.
• This month, a committee is being convened to implement the enterprise changes requiring gender, sexual identity and pronouns fields to offer multiple and inclusive options.
• MSU encourages all employees to indicate their gender pronouns, if desired, on email signatures and other written communication. 

Are there resources to explore this further?

• Learn more about pronouns, FAQ’s and additional resources
• Glossary of definitions for gender and sexuality terms
• Resources for faculty, staff, and TAs
• Local, regional, and national resources
• Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC) resources
• GSCC consultation
• MSU short-term work group on name and pronoun usage

The EVPA Office of DEI is committed to collectively advancing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and envisions all to engage in meaningful contributions that bridge across differences and demonstrate cultural competence. We look forward to continuing our work – together – to foster a culture that C.A.R.E.S (communication, appreciation, respect, empathy, and sensitivity).