We didn’t know this was a national problem, but apparently it is. We really haven’t had anyone tell us their preferred pronouns, with the exception of International Pronouns Day, when people held up signs with their preferred pronouns, and when Democratic candidates like Julián Castro and Elizabeth Warren added their pronouns to their Twitter bios.
For us at Twitchy, we mostly look to see if there are preferred pronouns in a tweeter’s bio so we know if it’s a parody account or not.
The Washington Post is stepping up and asking that people stop making jokes about gender pronouns when people tell you theirs. We wouldn’t even know what joke to make — if you want to be called they, we’ll do our best.
Perspective: Please stop making jokes about gender pronouns when people tell you theirs https://t.co/yofaPhlpCO
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 15, 2019
So what jokes are people making that are so hurtful?
In these contexts, there is no need to be cute or funny; don’t say your pronouns are “princess” and “in charge.” You may get a laugh, but is the cost — the alienation, discomfort or frustration of vulnerable people — worth it? A cisgender person who claims that their pronouns are “dance mom” and “brat” is suggesting that they are not interested in how fraught this matter can be for trans and non-binary people.
OK, we get it: It’s like when Piers Morgan said on air he identified as a penguin (during a segment on a baby penguin being raised gender-neutral by a lesbian penguin couple) and was nearly investigated by the U.K. Office of Communications after 950 people complained. Stop doing that. It’s hurtful.
Please stop pretending that out of all the human beings on Earth, you are somehow uniquely precious
— ?It's?Almost ⛄️Christmas? (@jtLOL) December 15, 2019
How about I do what I want?
— Carolyn (@gouroudjian) December 15, 2019
No, people can't demand changing and perverting meanings of words and not expect derision and rejection. The narcissism is astounding
— andthenwhat? (@NWcarol28) December 15, 2019
No, Zir.
— Jay Collinwood (@Jaycollinwood) December 15, 2019
No. I don’t think I will.
— The (Quantum) Doktor (@ScienceJesus) December 15, 2019
— Woodworker45 (@Woodworker453) December 15, 2019
My pronoun is Daddy… pic.twitter.com/DIspSHLyWP
— ?? Krishna ?? (@TheKrishna87) December 15, 2019
I have no qualms calling people whatever they want. I don't care enough to make it an issue. I reserve the right to crack all the damn jokes about it I want to though.
— Jesse Gilbert (@JesstersDead) December 15, 2019
Who is Kat Jercich the writer of this article and what is her preferred pronoun so i can make fun of it.
— Austere Scholar (@dbl0neg) December 15, 2019
I will after they stop making them up.
— YUXLOA (@YUXLOA) December 15, 2019
That's what xe said
— Ron Coleman (@RonColeman) December 15, 2019
I don’t see ze point
— nuckenfuts (@davedaranga) December 15, 2019
— Patrick ?? (@batman1793) December 15, 2019
Nah. You can’t expect everyone to rewire their brains and rework their biological perception of men and women just to placate a few people.
— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) December 15, 2019
Perspective: the more you try to force unnatutal language changes on people who didn't agree to it or come by it naturally… The more they are going to resist it. Which includes mocking.
— Jessica Green ? (@AnarchyToward) December 16, 2019
People who use preferred pronouns when they introduce themselves are asking others to ignore their common sense.
The normal reaction is to make joke. It's a good way to let people know they are being ridiculous.
— Timeless (@Timeles43671335) December 15, 2019
If somebody tells me their pronouns, there will be no jokes. There won't even be conversation. Maybe an eye-roll at best.
— S.C. Wittan (@scwittan) December 15, 2019
I too think it's important to start off a conversation acknowledging you're an unserious person who may not live in reality.
— Smokin Monkey, Chief Reply Officer (@ARaised_Eyebrow) December 15, 2019
Nobody asks me mine and nobody I know goes out of the way to tell me theirs.
— The Real Rikki Steel (@THEREALRIKKI5) December 15, 2019
The only times someone has told me their pronouns is when they were joking.
— TheCarston (@TheCarston) December 15, 2019
If someone says to me, "Hi. My name is _______. My pronouns are __________." I would be polite but engage very little with this person. Why? Such a person would easy offended & normal everyday conversation would be near impossible.
— Mister Majestic | Gigantic Guyver | Pickle Rick (@AntonioB79) December 15, 2019
Why don’t you stop calling women ‘cis’ and then we’ll talk.
— Djuna Barnes (@djunasaurus) December 16, 2019
Related:
Candidate Julián Castro releases video with his preferred pronouns for #PronounsDay https://t.co/eZ8OLqxM1v
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) October 16, 2019
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