Why do I use personal pronouns in my email signature?
Pronouns suggest the person speaking knows one’s gender – and people often assume they know one’s pronoun by one’s appearance or even just their name. However, some people identify differently than others would assume. They are the ones who constantly need to correct others, which is exhausting and often comes at the cost of having to disclose personal details and social scrutiny.
Using the right pronouns is a way of showing respect and honoring who people are. It’s a signal of emotional safety. As a cisgender woman, most people recognize my pronouns correctly. I have the privilege of not having to work for it. However, by adding my pronouns to my email signature, I send the message that we all deserve the same respect without having to reveal personal details or face social scrutiny. The more people who have the privilege of not needing to specify their pronouns do it voluntarily, the less awkward it is for people who need it.
