pronouns on nametags - need your input | eePRO @ NAAEE
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pronouns on nametags - need your input

Thu, 2018-09-20 23:46

As a cisgender woman (she/her/hers), I'm becoming more and more understanding of how powerful it can be to allow program participants to express their preferred pronouns. And how important it is for me, the facilitator/educator to try my best to refer to them by their preferences. This can help them feel included, seen, and heard.

As an educator who works with new groups of people all the time, I use a lot of nametags. I use the simple sticker badge type where they have to use a marker to write their name on it. I don't always run a thorough online registration process where I could ask people to list their preferred pronouns.

So, I'm seriously considering buying a custom rubber stamp to pre stamp all of my name tags as seen below. Then the participant can write their preferred pronoun on the nametag. I am intentionally not creating checkboxes as I don't want to assume all the different categories and instead would like to create the space for all options (even those I don't yet know).

I need the community's (your) input. Does this strategy work? Is there a method to do it better? Does it feel authentic? Do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you in advance!

Sat, 2018-09-22 09:12

Hi Sarah! I think this is a great idea! I am a facilitator as well and I typically have people write their pronouns on their name card. One suggestion would be to label it "my pronouns" instead of "my preferred pronouns". Using the word "preferred" gives the connotation that it is an option. Many spaces have dropped the preferred. I hope this helps!

Sat, 2018-09-22 11:01

I like the idea a lot and how you are wanting to be so inclusive. My understanding (somewhat limited as a cis female) is that pronouns get listed only as “pronouns” not as “preferred pronouns” since it’s not a preference... Is pronouns something you could ask on a registration form and then focus on using the correct pronouns in the workshop versus having it on the name tag? I’m fumbling around my words here, but I guess my question is: is the addition of pronouns to the name tag to make you as facilitator more comfortable or to make your trans or gender fluid or gender queer participants more comfortable? I work with young adults and even those that are trans would rarely list non-cis pronouns on a name tag out of fear (largely due to where we are regionally speaking). So, I don’t know the answers to any of this, but just food for thought...

In reply to Shelby Gull Laird
Sat, 2018-09-22 12:06

I think my intention is to help transgender participants not have to explain themselves but instead have this step of introducing themselves be done for them so that others don't have to ask.

I participated in a university lead leadership institute where we all had our pronouns no our nametags.

With this said, I'm only learning and think we all are together. I'm not sure the best strategies...

Mon, 2018-09-24 13:31

It is great to see how others are approaching including pronouns. From what I have seen, the name card idea works great because there is more space to include pronouns than on a name tag. We have also found it helpful to include info on gender and pronouns for those in our workshops and events who may not yet have been introduced to a non-binary gender. I think it's helpful to give some context for those who have not yet been asked about their pronouns and it can be an opportunity for us to support sharing info. For example, I have asked participants what percentage of youth are gender non-conforming. The reality is that we don't really know the answer, but there are studies coming out that show that as many as 25% and even 40% of youth identify as something non-binary. I think that can help provide relevance and provide to some learnings and sharing around gender. Also, providing a chart of different pronouns like the one here: http://www.lspirg.org/gender-pronouns/ can help with context. I look forward to hear what others are trying.