International Pronouns Day: Respecting Identities, Building Inclusive Communities

October 15 marks International Pronouns Day, a time to reflect on the significance of respecting, sharing, and correctly using personal pronouns. At its core, this observance affirms the dignity of LGBTQ+ individuals while encouraging inclusive practices across classrooms, workplaces, and communities.

Why Pronouns Matter

Pronouns are a fundamental aspect of respectful communication. When misused, they can contribute to exclusion and marginalization; when affirmed, they strengthen belonging and support mental health. A Rainbow of Voices: The Experiences of Middle School LGBTQIA+ Students (via ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases) highlights how correct pronoun use contributes to improved emotional well-being and mental health for transgender and nonbinary youth.

Higher Education and Inclusion

On campus, pronoun awareness helps create a culture of respect and equity. Faculty, staff, and students who model inclusive language foster stronger community and better learning environments. Articles in ERIC (via EBSCOhost) and Gale OneFile: Gender Studies examine how inclusive practices contribute to student success and positive campus climate.

Explore Library Resources

The UCC Library provides access to databases where you can learn more:

• ProQuest: Publicly Available Content Databases – Research on LGBTQ+ issues and mental health, such as “What is known about gambling in lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) communities? A scoping review.”

• JSTOR – Cultural studies on gender and identity, including “Gender Bias in the Classroom.”

• ERIC – Education focused research, like “Modelling Inclusive Education. The Didactic Model for Inclusive Teaching and Learning as a Heuristic for Inclusion Research and Teacher Education.”

• Gale OneFile: Gender Studies – Social and policy perspectives, for example “Indigenous social exclusion: insights and challenges for the concept of social inclusion.”

• EBSCO Discovery Service – Links you to reviews and scholarly commentaries, such as Gender: Your Guide: A Gender-Friendly Primer on What to Know, What to Say, and What to Do in the New Gender Culture by Lee Airton, a scholarly cited work that offers practical insight into navigating pronouns and gender-inclusive communication in everyday life.

Moving Forward

International Pronouns Day is more than symbolic; it’s an invitation to reflect on how language shapes experience. Small acts, like asking and sharing pronouns, contribute to a more welcoming and affirming community.