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Hello my name is Tash and my pronouns are they/them. It’s International Pronouns Day next Weds (21st Oct) and here’s a thread about why that’s important.
A few months ago I had Covid and one night I was really struggling to breathe. The NHS website said to go to A&E and my partner was urging me to. But fear of transphobia stopped me. I didn’t want to be a spectacle or a debate. I was afraid of people I knew finding out.
I later recovered from Covid but the experience scared me. Not just because I couldn’t breathe and that was terrifying, but because in that moment I made a choice to avoid healthcare out of fear.
When I started this job, I came out. Properly out. Introduce myself with my pronouns out. Out in meetings, out in my email signature, out on twitter, out.
Now my partner reminds me about that night. How afraid they were, how afraid I was. How in that moment, not being able to catch a breath became smaller than the enormity of being trans in a hospital.
I worked in a hospital at the time. If I had seen these badges on staff around me, it could have made all the difference. These badges are a symbol of understanding, of respect, of seeing me and my trans community.
Pronouns may feel like a small thing if they’re a small thing for you. But they’re not a small thing for me. Somebody introducing themselves with their pronouns makes me feel like I’m not the odd one in the room, I’m not a burden, this space is for me too.
Research shows the risks of misgendering trans youth, and that
chosen name use is linked to reduced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour amongst trans youth. https://www.childtrends.org/blog/research-shows-the-risk-of-misgendering-transgender-youth
chosen name use is linked to reduced depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and suicidal behaviour amongst trans youth. https://www.childtrends.org/blog/research-shows-the-risk-of-misgendering-transgender-youth
Thanks to @EddyLaurie1 these new pronoun badges are available to buy online through the #hellomynameis website. Next Wednesday colleagues all over the NHS will be wearing these in an act of solidarity with the trans and non-binary community. Join us!
https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/merchandise/
https://www.hellomynameis.org.uk/merchandise/
