University of Tennessee uses 'gender neutral' pronouns
The University of Tennessee has asked its teachers and students to start using gender neutral pronouns in a bid to create "inclusivity" within the campus.
Among the so-called gender neutral singular pronouns are: "ze," "hir," "hirs," "xe," "xem," and "xyr." The said pronouns are encouraged for use within the campus, while gender binary pronouns such as "he" and "she" are discouraged.
Donna Braquet, director of the Pride Center at the Knoxville university said in a post on the official website that the time has come for respect to be given to some students who identify otherwise from what is registered on their school records.
"The more we make sharing of pronouns a universal practice, the more inclusive we will be as a campus," Braquet wrote, adding that exercising a new culture of asking which names and pronouns students prefer may help lift the burdens of those who have are being "marginalized by their gender expression or identity."
Before the university decided to make use of the said pronouns, the University of California has already included six gender categories on its applications.
UC's categories, as announced in July, include: male, female, trans male or trans man, trans female or trans woman, gender queer or gender non-conforming, and different identity.
According to The Independent, some commentators have predicted that after UC's move in favor of its LGBT students, options like what Braquet suggested will be more adaptable in the near future.
Braquet has also pointed out that though the pronouns may sound "a little funny at first," students will get more used to using the words with time.
Meanwhile, conservative columnist Todd Starnes aired his opinion on a piece he wrote for Fox News. Starnes noted that the university has become willing to sacrifice whatever it has to favor gender inclusivity, "including common sense."
While the suggestion includes teachers asking students to provide their name and preferred gender neutral pronoun during attendance calls, the university clarified that it is not yet an official policy.
