Submitted by Melanie (she/her), SEIU-West Gender & Sexual Diversity Committee Recording Secretary
Happy International Pronouns Day!
International Pronouns Day is the third Wednesday of October. It started in 2018. Learning and using others' chosen pronouns is about respect. It is a learning curve for many of us who grew up with the false binary of male/female and masculine/feminine. The world is far more diverse than the old restrictive binaries we may have been taught or exposed to.
Check out this link for an interesting article about pronouns.
Pop culture is increasingly embracing a variety of pronouns. You may have noticed this in your favourite TV show or podcast. Pop culture is a really fantastic vehicle for raising awareness about many 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and topics.
My new favourite author, Becky Chambers, is a sci-fi author whose writing demonstrates an understanding of the wonders and challenges of navigating diversity. Her work is fresh and comforting and demonstrates characters that work to navigate difference in respectful, imperfect ways. Becky's characters use a variety of pronouns. If you love sci-fi, check out Becky Chambers' books as a way to celebrate International Pronouns Day.
| Term | Definition |
| 2SLGBTQIA+ |
This acronym is meant to encompass and be inclusive of the Queer Community. The specific letters in the acronym mean: 2Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual The + includes Pansexual, Agender, Gender Queer, Questioning, and other terms which are evolving and emerging. |
Additional definitions and information can be found on the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee page on our website, including this Gender and Sexual Diversity Glossary published by the Government of Canada.