I have to admit I don’t like having to provide pronouns (or gender) in some situations. But they are definitely important to me.
I usually don’t provide them when they’re optional. Like, in impersonal situations such as signing up for a service, or a website or something.
Socially, it’s important to me that people use the right pronouns. But often, the conversation that arises after providing them can be uncomfortable. Sometimes it’s actually a loaded question.
Because. It doesn’t matter why I have particular pronouns. They’re just the ones I use.
I find it cool that it’s becoming a lot more common for people seem to be generally using They/Them for people they don’t know. Even though it still seems strange to hear.
In some ways I find this is more respectful because it seems to say “I am respecting that you might not want to be asked about pronouns”. On the other hand, I’ve met trans people who are offended by gender neutral pronouns.
I wouldn’t want to be referred to with they/them after having shared my own. But people seem to do this too.
I wonder if we are heading towards gender neutral pronouns becoming normal, usual, and polite. To politely refrain from assumptions, until personal preferences are shared.
Pronouns are weird. But important. I’m becoming more comfortable with people asking. And even sharing them sometimes when I don’t need to.
Mine are she/her.