Maybe try “trans” instead — Although conservatives often talk about the management of political language as if it were a distinctly leftist form of censorship — that horrible “political correctness” which even many liberals openly disdain— it’s clear that Republicans fully understand that linguistic choices have political implications. We already knew that Republicans have their…

Ideas for teaching, mentoring & service — In an effort to revive Trans Talk before the end of the year, I’ve decided to do a couple of posts reporting on my recent trips to conferences. This week, I returned from the annual meeting of the American Anthropological Association in Washington, D.C. …

Today, President Trump announced that trans people will not be able to serve openly in the U.S. military “in any capacity,” derailing the progress made by trans veterans and service members in recent years. In the Tweets where the announcement was made—because yes, we currently live in a world where…

After Trump’s dismal performance in the first presidential debate, he might be wishing he knew what my students in Language, Gender, and Sexuality are learning this week. In one of the texts we’re reading in this course (Language and Gender), authors Penny Eckert and Sally McConnell-Ginet challenge the widespread belief…

How did you feel when you first encountered the suggestion that you should ask people about their pronouns rather than assuming based on how they look? (Even if that moment was just now). Uncertainty, anxiety, and skepticism are pretty common responses. But is the practice of exchanging pronouns really that…

Everything you need to know about trans-inclusive pronoun use — In the workshops I’ve conducted on trans-inclusive language, the aspect of language that provokes the most questions is always pronouns. In this FAQ I’ve collected some of the most commonly asked questions in those spaces, along with additions from friends and colleagues. …

Linguistic & Grammatical Issues — See also: Index with Questions Part 1: Trans People & Pronouns 101 Part 2: Practical Pronoun Skills Part 3: Linguistic & Grammatical Issues Q: Isn’t it grammatically incorrect to use ‘they’ to refer to one person?

Practical Pronoun Skills — See also: Index with Questions Part 1: Trans People & Pronouns 101 Part 2: Practical Pronoun Skills Part 3: Linguistic & Grammatical Issues Q: How do you actually go about asking people for their pronouns (while minimizing the chances someone might take offense)?

Trans People & Pronouns 101 — See also: Index with Questions Part 1: Trans People & Pronouns 101 Part 2: Practical Pronoun Skills Part 3: Linguistic & Grammatical Issues Q: Why are pronouns so important?