At the University of Washington, diversity is integral to excellence. We value and honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming and respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity and justice for all. This includes supporting UW students, staff and faculty of different gender identities by respecting their pronouns. 

The UW acknowledges that community members with trans, non-binary and gender expansive identities face harassment and discrimination based on their gender expression at higher rates than others. As with all bigotry, this is often based on ignorance and myth. The university is dedicated to making sure that everyone feels welcome and respected during their time at the UW. 

For more information on how pronouns are shared at the UW, see Sharing pronouns at the UW.

What is a pronoun and why is correct pronoun use important?

Pronouns like “she,” “him” and “they” provide a grammatical way to refer to people without using their name, and they are one of the ways some people portray their gender identities. Some pronouns are gendered (like “she/her/hers” or “he/him/his”), while others are gender neutral (like “they/them/theirs”).

When someone asks you to use their pronouns, they are asking you to respect who they are. By respecting people’s pronouns, you are helping cultivate a safe and inclusive UW community and learning environment.

Watch this 3-minute video to learn more about why gender pronouns matter: https://youtu.be/ltiZQjOaihc

What are some common pronouns?

The most common pronoun sets are “she/her,” “he/him” and “they/them.” While some people may not be used to using “they” as a singular pronoun, “they” provides a way of referring to someone whose gender identity is nonbinary or whose gender is unknown.

In addition to those above, many other pronouns are used today. Some people use neopronouns such as “ze/zir,” which are gender-neutral. Others may indicate bilingual pronouns, such as “she/ella.”

Some people may indicate that they prefer “no pronouns” or “use my name.” In this case, use that person’s name in place of any pronouns. Other people may choose not to share their pronouns in a given setting. In written/digital contexts, they may leave the space blank or enter “ask me” to invite others to ask them directly. 

If you’re not sure what someone means when they indicate their pronouns, it’s best to ask them politely. You may simply ask, “What pronouns do you use, or what name can I call you by?” 

For more information, please see The Whole U’s guide to communicating respectfully with people of all gender expressions.

Combining pronoun sets

Some people may indicate multiple sets of pronouns, which usually means that they accept either (or they may use one set or the other in different contexts).

Example: “She/they” means “she/her/hers” and “they/them/theirs” pronouns are appropriate. This also applies to “he/they,” “they/she,” “they/he” and other combinations.

How to use pronouns appropriately & best practices for supporting a welcoming UW community 

Fostering Inclusive Pronoun Sharing

When a majority of people in the workplace or classroom, especially those in positions of power (instructors, managers, TAs, etc.), introduce themselves with their pronouns it creates a safe environment for others to share their pronouns too. 

For example, instructors can begin their first lecture with, “Hello, my name is Alex and I use ‘she/her’ pronouns.” 

This practice demonstrates an awareness that pronouns need to be learned, rather than assumed, and it can be used in work, academic, and social settings.

What if I don’t know someone’s pronouns?

If you don’t know someone’s pronouns, you can start by sharing your own name and pronouns and then respectfully ask someone their name and what pronouns they use by asking them, “what’s your name and do you have any pronouns I should use?” When you ask someone their pronouns, do so knowing that people need to feel comfortable sharing their pronouns on their own terms.

If you forget what pronouns someone uses, you can ask them the same way you ask for a name you’ve forgotten. “I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your pronouns. Could you remind me?”

It can be harmful to make assumptions about a person’s gender based on their appearance and/or name. Until you know someone’s pronouns, you can refer to a person by their name or by “they/them/theirs” pronouns as a gender-neutral alternative.

Respecting identity and boundaries

Respect other people by addressing them in ways that they ask to be addressed, whether it be by their preferred name or their pronouns. Using pronouns other than the ones a person has asked you to use can make them feel unwelcome, invisible or unsafe in the community. This is called “misgendering” someone. Similarly, using a name that a person no longer identifies with, also called deadnaming, is also harmful.

Part of being respectful is understanding some individuals’ desire for privacy with regard to their identity. Just because they share their pronouns with you doesn’t mean they want you to share them with others. As such, you are expected to use pronouns in accordance with the UW’s Pronoun Privacy Statement. 

What if I make a mistake and use the wrong pronoun?

If you make an innocent mistake and use the wrong pronoun, just apologize, correct yourself, and move on. What’s important is that you don’t make the situation worse for the person by over apologizing, thereby drawing even more attention to them and putting a burden on them to make you feel better. Just apologize and learn from your mistake. 

If you intentionally use the wrong pronoun to continually misgender someone, this is legally considered harassment, as defined by WAC 162-32-040, and may be reported as a Title IX violation.

What if someone else makes a mistake?

If someone else makes a mistake and you know what pronouns the person wants used in the setting, find a polite and quick way to correct them, and then move on. For example, “Actually, Ty uses ‘he/him’ pronouns.”

It is important to remember that some people use different pronouns in different settings and with different people. If you aren’t sure what pronouns a person uses in a particular setting, check in with the person before correcting anyone. It’s possible that different pronouns were shared with the person speaking. 

People who are repeatedly misgendered may grow tired of correcting others. If you witness someone being misgendered, consider reaching out and asking if you can support them in any way. By acknowledging the impact of such behavior and/or by helping correct others who make mistakes, you are contributing to a safe and welcoming UW community.

Embracing Pronoun Diversity 

As stated above, there are many other pronouns in use besides she, he, and they—ways of expressing identity continue to evolve. If someone asks you to use pronouns that you have never heard before, they are letting you know how they want you to refer to them. By asking for clarification when you’re not sure and by making the effort to respect each person you meet, you are helping to cultivate a safe and inclusive UW community and learning environment.

Additional Reading 

For further reading on this subject, the Q Center provides excellent information on gender identity and pronouns. Also, UW Medicine’s Right as Rain has great advice on supporting the LGBTQ+ community through your actions.

How to respond in cases of harassment or discrimination?

Someone has been harassed, discriminated against, deadnamed (using a name that a person no longer identifies with), or misgendered by others.

Harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression has no place at the UW or in Washington. When someone shares that they have experienced harassment, it’s important to respond with care and provide access to information about support resources and their rights. Please consult SafeCampus’ recommendations for supporting victims of harassment and avoid asking too many questions or advising a student what to do next. Additionally, the Office of the Title IX Coordinator can help anyone facing harassment or discrimination get support or explore reporting options. A person does not need to file a report or request an investigation in order to get support.

Keep in mind that, if you are formally designated as “required to report” at UW, you may need to take other actions.

I have been harassed, discriminated against, deadnamed, or misgendered by others.

Harassment and discrimination on the basis of gender identity or expression has no place at the UW or in Washington. If you have experienced harassment, it’s important to know your rights and that you have the full support of UW. The Office of the Title IX Coordinator can help you get support or explore reporting options. You do not need to file a report or request an investigation in order to get support.

I have been accused of harassing, discriminating against, deadnaming or misgendering someone.

We at the UW take the safety and well-being of our community seriously, and Washington state law and UW policy specifically prohibit this type of behavior. If you have been accused, please have a conversation with your supervisor and/or the Office of the Ombud to reflect on the best response, as determining the proper response depends on the specific situation. 

Misunderstandings happen and people make mistakes. The UW is here to help you understand what happened and determine whether actions might have been a policy violation or not. While intentional deadnaming and misgendering someone would be a policy violation, it is important to note that not all instances of deadnaming or inaccurate pronoun usage would meet the level of a UW policy violation. 

In the case that a violation has been formally reported, either a University Complaint Investigation and Resolution Office (UCIRO) representative or a Human Resources Consultant would conduct the investigation. In these cases, those offices would meet with you to provide information about the investigation process and better understand your perspective.