What is a dental dam? How to use them and where to find them
Exploring the benefits and purpose of a dental dam Dental dams may not be trending across social media but could this lesser-known barrier method be a good option for you? What is a dental dam? A dental dam is a thin, stretchy piece of latex or polyurethane that can be […]
Been diagnosed with an STI? Now what?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection (STI), you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, worried or unsure about what’s next. It might seem scary but getting an STI is not the end of the world. In fact, 4 million people in Australia will get an STI at […]
Why we love lube (and you will too)
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
What is a dental dam? How to use them and where to find them
Exploring the benefits and purpose of a dental dam Dental dams may not be trending across social media but could this lesser-known barrier method be a good option for you? What is a dental dam? A dental dam is a thin, stretchy piece of latex or polyurethane that can be […]
Been diagnosed with an STI? Now what?
If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection (STI), you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, worried or unsure about what’s next. It might seem scary but getting an STI is not the end of the world. In fact, 4 million people in Australia will get an STI at […]
Why we love lube (and you will too)
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Talking to your doctor about sexual health
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
Why do pronouns matter anyway?
When we speak about someone else, it’s common to use pronouns to talk about them. She, he, they, etc. But what if the pronoun you use doesn’t reflect who they are?
It’s common for people to make presumptions about someone’s gender based on how they look, act, or their name. But those presumptions aren’t always correct. And getting it wrong can make someone feel alienated and excluded.
In this article, we take a look at what personal pronouns are, why they matter, and how you can make sure you get it right.
What is a personal pronoun?
A personal pronoun is a word we use as a substitute for the proper name of a person. In the English language, ‘he/him/his’ is used to refer to males and ‘she/her/hers’ to females. But, these pronouns are restrictive and don’t work for everyone. If someone doesn’t identify as male or female (that is, non-binary) they may decide to use a gender-neutral pronoun.
What are gender-neutral pronouns?
One option that many non-binary people use is ‘they’.
For example, instead of saying ‘Jessica is drinking her drink’ it would be ‘Jessica is drinking their drink’. But, ‘they’ is not the only option and other personal pronoun options include ze/hir, ze/zir, and xe/xem.
Some people may decide not to use any pronouns at all – instead, preferring the use of their name as a pronoun instead (John drank John’s drink because John was thirsty).
What if I don’t know someone’s pronoun?
If you don’t know someone’s pronoun the most important thing is never to presume. Avoid gender-specific language like ‘those guys over there’. Instead, use the gender-neutral ‘they’ until you know otherwise. And if you’re not sure, it’s always welcome to ask!
You could also introduce yourself using your own pronouns, like “My name’s Jake, I prefer the pronoun ‘he;”. Often this creates a safe space for people to reciprocate.
Why does using the correct pronouns matter?
The reason pronouns matter is pretty simple. By using someone’s correct pronouns, you’re respecting their identity, and avoiding unnecessary potential hurt.
Want to know more? Watch this:
Some important things to remember….
Someone’s gender expression isn’t necessarily the same as their gender identity and just because you think someone is dressed/presenting as male/female doesn’t mean that’s how they identify
Getting used to new gender-neutral pronouns can take time and it’s okay to make a mistake, simply correct yourself and move on
Remember – the words we choose are incredibly powerful and have the ability to make someone feel loved and included, or uncomfortable and judged
YouTube is the second most visited website in the world and is packed with content that tackles every subject imaginable – from sex and sexual health, to relationships, body positivity and everything in-between. In this blog, we take a little look at some of our favourites. Who are your favourite […]
With summer fast approaching, and Schoolies around the corner it’s easily going to be one of the most exciting times of your life and with excitement comes new experiences. Some of which you might not be prepared for. While it can be easy to get swept away in all the […]
5 Australian women changing the way we think about sex
Loving your body and understanding how to have a healthy and confident sex life is so important. Luckily, Australia has plenty of incredible women who are driving change in the sexual health industry, making new discoveries, and changing conversations about body image. 1). Bec Villanti, Samantha Eades, and Bec […]
Run by our team of volunteer moderators (mods), the Play Safe forum is packed full of topics, threads and conversations from people just like you. Covering everything from sexual health to body positivity and relationships to simply hanging out, here’s some of our favourites. KILLING THE HERPES STIGMA Herpes is […]
