Our coaches deliver a powerful message through their actions. Wearing ‘Every Child Matters’ and Gender Pronouns pins, we create an inclusive environment where language becomes a tool for acceptance. Let’s honor everyone’s authentic selves and foster a culture of respect and understanding.
Language is a powerful tool for communicating inclusivity in sport. Language is not neutral. It is closely tied to the culture and society in which it is used. Sport is not an equal playing field, it is a sex-segregated world, where not everyone belongs and is welcomed. Sport is however, one of the most powerful platforms for promoting equality and empowering all who participate. One of the ways we can start moving towards equality in sport is with the language we use.
Gender pronouns (he/she/they/ze etc.) specifically refer to the person you are referring to. Pronouns are a part of someone’s gender expression and send the message to others of who they authentically are and how they feel about themselves.
Many non-binary people feel left out of society and often have their pronouns ignored, misused, or discounted. Non-binary or genderqueer are umbrella terms for gender identities that are neither male or female, boy or girl.
Below are a few links that can help you practice using other pronouns:
- http://mypronouns.org/she
- http://mypronouns.org/he
- http://mypronouns.org/they
- http://mypronouns.org/ze
- http://mypronouns.org/neopronouns
Safe and Helpful Hints:
- Don’t guess – Ask. It is acceptable to ask someone what pronoun they use.
- Use singular “they/them/theirs” for a person until you have the opportunity to ask about their pronouns.
- You can also use their name until you learn their pronouns.
- If you have trouble remembering someone’s pronoun, it is okay to ask for a reminder.
- If you misuse someone’s pronouns, acknowledge that you have done that and move on. The best way to show that you care is to try to use the correct pronoun.
Tips for programs and practices:
- Offer a non-binary gender option for membership registration.
- Update registration forms, and online forms, to include the gender pronouns that individuals use.
- Avoid referring to a group or team with “hey guys” or “hey girls”. Use gender neutral language like ‘hey team’ or “hey everyone”.
- Start sharing your pronouns to normalize the behavior of not making assumptions about gender identity. You can start by adding your pronouns to your email signature.
It may take some getting used to. You may feel awkward at times. Correctly using someone’s pronouns allows the person to feel seen and included-and that’s powerful. Ultimately, using gender-neutral pronouns when referring to a group or person, or about a group or person, doesn’t require too much effort on your part. It will make a huge difference in creating a warmer, more inclusive sport environment for everyone.