As NBAA strives to create a more welcoming, inclusive space within our diverse community of aviation professionals, it is important to highlight the impact of using and sharing personal pronouns.
What are Personal Pronouns?
Personal pronouns are a shorthand way to refer to someone without using their full name. Pronouns allow us to speak with one another more comfortably and casually, and we often do it so frequently in conversations that we may not recognize it. While you may be most familiar with gender pronouns like she/her and he/him, a variety of gender-diverse pronouns exist:
| Gender Binary | She | Her |
| He | Him | |
| Gender Non-binary | They | Them |
| Ze (pronounced zhee) | Zir (pronounced zhere) | |
| Xe (pronounced zhee) | Xem (pronounced zhem) |
Per the Human Rights Campaign, the gender binary is defined as a system in which gender is constructed into two strict categories of male or female. Gender identity is expected to align with the sex assigned at birth and gender expressions and roles fit traditional expectations. Non-binary is defined as describing a person who does not identify exclusively as a man or a woman. Non-binary people may identify as being both a man and a woman, somewhere in between, or as falling completely outside these categories. While many also identify as transgender, not all non-binary people do.
Why is Using the Correct Pronouns Important?
Respecting others’ pronouns is one of the smallest and simplest ways you can acknowledge someone’s identity. A person who is asking you to use a specific set of pronouns has likely put much thought into the way that they self-identify and is trusting you to respect them.
How Does Sharing My Pronouns Make an Impact?
You can’t always know someone’s pronouns by looking at them or reading their name on a passenger manifest. By sharing your own pronouns, you normalize a dynamic in which we are sharing our own gender identity, rather than making assumptions about others’. It can also spark a conversation and create safe space for others.
Do I Have to Share My Pronouns?
Sharing your pronouns is a personal and private decision, and participation is entirely voluntary. The intent is to start a better conversation surrounding gender identity within the business aviation community
How Can I Share My Pronouns?
You can share your pronouns when introducing yourself, in your email signature, your virtual meeting name, or on your social media profile.
How Do I Ask Someone for Their Personal Pronouns?
Asking for someone’s pronouns is best done by sharing your own at the time of introduction. For example, when meeting someone new, consider sharing your pronouns after your name: “My pronouns are he/him/his. What are your pronouns?”
Can I share this resource with my colleagues?
Yes! Please feel free to link others directly to this page, or check out some other helpful resources in this area:
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.