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Basic respect and decency comes in all forms: looking someone in the eye, shaking their hand, calling them by name. But why is there such a difficulty when using someone’s correct pronouns?

Pronouns are an important part of someone’s identity. Much like one’s name, it offers a defining factor of who you are. Unfortunately, it seems to have become harder for others to offer respect when using pronouns.

Transgender individuals have had to struggle with being able to get their correct pronouns used. 

This issue is often trivialized with the phrase “they’re just words” and “it’s not that big of a deal”. 

If it really was just words, why can’t you use the right ones?

Using the wrong pronouns for someone, especially a transgender person, can severely trigger their gender dysphoria. 

Gender dysphoria is a condition where a person experiences discomfort or distress because there’s a mismatch between their biological sex and gender identity.

It can be incredibly crippling. This is why transgender people go through with changing their name, body image and pronouns. They do this to lessen the gender dysphoria. 

Misgendering someone on purpose is cruel and you should re-examine why you would do such a thing. 

The only motivation you have to use the wrong pronouns for someone on purpose is to hurt them. 

Not taking great care to be respectful to someone and their identity shows your lack of respect. Everyone is worthy of basic decency, regardless of their gender identity. 

This shouldn’t be a radical thought in 2019 and it’s unbelievable that we are still discussing it.