What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
National Condom Day
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well, that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
What is World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
National Condom Day
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well, that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
What is World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is contraception?
What is contraception? Contraception, also sometimes referred to as ‘birth control’, is something people can use when they want to have sex that can result in pregnancy, but do not want to become pregnant or have a baby. Understanding contraception and figuring out the best contraceptive method for you is […]
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 […]
