I just don’t use pronouns if I’m not sure, because I’ve never seen anger on the level of someone whom I’ve inadvertently misgendered, and it doesn’t seem to cross people’s minds that maybe I’m not a mind reader.
Gender neutral language is just best overall in this scenario.
Assuming this means avoiding gendered pronouns, I agree.
In a vacuum, theoretically, our language would simply be easier without gendered pronouns. But it would be idealistic for me to therefore assert everyone should just always use neutral pronouns and be alright with that. I know some people who intentionally signal their gender feel invalidated by neutral language, so it would be insensitive and pointless for me to disrespect their preference.
In all the societies I’m in, my approach is to default to neutral unless/until someone specifies preferred pronouns or clearly indicates their gender. I haven’t had anyone, progressive nor reactionary, object to this behavior.
I just don’t use pronouns if I’m not sure, because I’ve never seen anger on the level of someone whom I’ve inadvertently misgendered, and it doesn’t seem to cross people’s minds that maybe I’m not a mind reader.
Gender neutral language is just best overall in this scenario.
Assuming this means avoiding gendered pronouns, I agree.
In a vacuum, theoretically, our language would simply be easier without gendered pronouns. But it would be idealistic for me to therefore assert everyone should just always use neutral pronouns and be alright with that. I know some people who intentionally signal their gender feel invalidated by neutral language, so it would be insensitive and pointless for me to disrespect their preference.
In all the societies I’m in, my approach is to default to neutral unless/until someone specifies preferred pronouns or clearly indicates their gender. I haven’t had anyone, progressive nor reactionary, object to this behavior.