LGBTQIA+

It means that anyone can use that restroom, regardless of sex assigned at birth, genitalia, gender identity, and gender expression.

Many people are concerned with safety when it comes to gender inclusive restrooms. The reality is, that transgender and gender non-binary individuals are the ones who often face harassment, discrimination, and sometimes even violence, when they are seen as a threat to those who do not respect or understand their gender identity. Cisgender (non-transgender) individuals can use public spaces like restrooms without thinking about whether or not they will be safe or free from gender policing. Transgender and gender non-binary individuals on the other hand, sometimes choose to avoid going to the bathroom all day until they are in the safety and comfort of their home or other non-public venue, where they know they will not be physically or verbally accosted.

There are NO instances of transgender people harassing cisgender people in restrooms, and a Media Matters 2015 report found no instances of inappropriate behavior or harassment in 17 of the country’s largest school districts in which students are allowed to use changing/locker rooms and bathroom facilities that correspond to their gender identity.

It is illegal to harass anyone in a restroom, and bills or laws that propose criminal or financial penalties to transgender individuals for using the restroom that corresponds with their gender identity are irrelevant and prejudicial.

Gender-inclusive restrooms are for everyone, and can be especially useful for:

• People with disabilities or those who have personal care attendants whose gender identity differs from one another
• Individuals with children of a different gender who would otherwise have to split up or face misunderstanding when trying to access a restroom
• People who would otherwise have to wait in a line for a gender-specific restroom

The effort to designate gender inclusive restrooms on campus is an ongoing project. The map lists all single-stall restrooms that lock, so whether the sign designates, “Women” “Men” “Unisex” or “All-Gender”, anyone can use that restroom. However, we recognize that for some, it may not feel safe and/or affirming to use a restroom that is gendered. The “All-Gender Restroom” signs have been installed and will continue to be installed in an effort to increase campus safety and inclusiveness for all students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors.

Gender refers to a culturally and historically specific understanding of what it means to be feminine or masculine.

These are pronouns that indicate gender, such as she, her, hers and he, him, his. They are heavily tied to assumptions about someone’s femininity or masculinity. When we use gender pronouns, we might be making an incorrect inference about someone’s gender that differs from their gender identity.

Gender identity is someone’s internal sense of their gender, regardless of biological makeup (sex), behavior and appearance (gender expression), or sexual orientation. Most people identify as the gender that they were assigned at birth, which is called being cisgender. Those whose gender identity does not correspond to the sex they were assigned at birth, are transgender.

Gender neutral/gender inclusive pronouns are pronouns that have no indication of gender. The gender binary is a model of gender that classifies all people into one of two opposing genders. Under this artificial division, gender is seen as a rigid binary option (female or male). Although binary genders are valid identities, gender neutral/gender inclusive pronouns allow for flexibility in identity beyond that of just female or male. Some people find that traditional gender pronouns (she/her/hers, he/him/his) are not accurate to their gender identity. Transgender, genderqueer, and other gender non-binary individuals may use gender neutral/gender inclusive pronouns to identify themselves.

Gender pronoun usage:

	Subject	Object	Possessive adjective	Possessive pronoun	Reflexive
Female	She	Her	Her	Hers	Herself
Male	He	Him	His	His	Himself
Gender neutral	They	Them	Their	Theirs	Theirself
Gender neutral	Ze	Hir	Hir	Hirs	Hirself

Gender neutral/gender inclusive pronoun pronunciation:

Ze	Hir	Hirs	Hirself
zee	here	heres	hereself

Examples of how to use gender neutral/gender inclusive pronouns:

They attend Michigan Tech.	Ze attends Michigan Tech.
I saw them near the husky statue.	I saw hir near the husky statue.
Their major is Exercise Science.	Hir major is Exercise Science.
That book is theirs.	That book is hirs.
They like themselves.	Ze likes hirself.

Using they in a singular sense may be grammatically unfamiliar, but The American Dialect Society proclaimed singular they as their ‘Word of the Year’ in 2015 and dating back to the days of Shakespeare and Chaucer, singular they was perfectly acceptable. Consider the fact that we frequently use singular they to refer to someone whose gender is unknown. For example, “they look familiar” or “someone left their jacket on the floor.”

It is a privilege to not have to worry about someone referring to you by the wrong pronoun based on their perception of your gender. Many people go throughout their day assuming people’s pronouns without thinking about it, but you can’t tell someone’s pronouns just by looking at them. When someone is referred to by the incorrect pronoun, it can lead to feelings of dysphoria and invalidation.

1. Offer yours before asking someone else's.
   • Hello, my name is Blizzard T. Husky, and I use they/them/theirs pronouns. How would you like to be addressed?
2. Ask everyone to participate in sharing their pronouns and offer yours.
   • I’d like everyone to introduce themselves including your name and the pronouns you use to identify yourself, like she/her/hers, he/him/his, or they/them/theirs. For example, my name is Blizzard T. Husky and I use they/them/theirs pronouns.
3. Ask everyone to participate in sharing their pronouns, offer yours, and elaborate on the importance of pronouns.
   • I’d like everyone to introduce themselves including your name and the pronouns you use to identify yourself, like she/her/hers, he/him/his, or they/them/theirs. For example, my name is Blizzard T. Husky and I use they/them/theirs pronouns.
4. Give the option to share pronouns and ask that everyone use first names or "they" pronouns.
   • I’d like everyone to introduce themselves including your name. If you would like, you may also share the pronouns you use to identify yourself, like she/her/hers, he/him/his, or they/them/theirs. For example, my name is Blizzard T. Husky and I use they/them/theirs pronouns.

We can’t assume we know how someone identifies or what pronouns they use, just by looking at them. To be respectful and inclusive, I ask that we all refer to one another by first names, or, if you do not know someone’s first name, use the gender neutral they/them/theirs pronouns.

It’s okay to make a mistake. Here’s what you can do if you accidently use the wrong pronoun.

1. Apologize.
2. Use the correct pronoun.
3. Commit to using the correct pronoun next time.

It’s important to avoid making a big scene and carrying on with an elaborate apology. This puts more of the focus on you and your feelings of embarrassment/guilt and draws undue attention to the situation. Remember, it’s not up to the person you misgendered to make you feel better about your mistake.

A swift but calm correction is often all it takes. For instance, “Blizzard actually uses they/them/theirs pronouns.”

However, some people may not want to draw attention to themselves or be comfortable with anyone but you knowing their pronouns. Showing respect can come in the form of asking the individual about their preferences separately, before addressing the situation in a large group.

Remember, not everyone has the same relationship with their pronouns. What may be comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for another. Share your pronouns, keep an open mind, and do not make assumptions. Questions asked in a thoughtful and respectful manner are usually appreciated more so than ignoring the realities of gender perceptions and assumptions.

When in your Gmail:

• Click the "cog" symbol on upper right side
• Go to "settings"
• Scroll down to your email signature
• Under your name/title type your pronouns
  • I.e. Pronouns: he/him/his
• Highlight your pronouns and click the link icon in the email signature formatting bar above
• Link to this website: http://www.mtu.edu/diversity-center/communities/lgbtqia/pronouns/
• Save changes at bottom of page