LGBTQIA+ in the Health Workforce
Research from the Literature
Gender Identity & more
When having discussions with patients who are transgender, gender-queer, or non-binary, it is important to understand the difference between sex and gender. Planned Parenthood's guide to biological sex defines these terms as:
Pronoun Practice
Pronouns are a part of everyday conversation. A pronoun is a word that refers to either the people talking (like "I" or "you") or someone or something that is being talked about (like "she," "it," "them," and "this").
"Some people don't feel like the most common gender pronouns (he/him/she/her) represent their gender identities or expressions because of how they are typically attributed to binary conceptions of sex (male/female) and gender (man/woman)." (Georgia Tech)
Reflect and get some practice in! This can be done by yourself or with others and reflected on daily. Think of all the ways gendered terms come into your daily life. Are these necessary? How do we unlearn gendered language?
The following is an example of Pronoun Practice from @hologramvin / @TransStyleGuide on X. You can also download a visual print out below to continue your practice.
mis•gender /verb/ present or past: misgendering, misgendered to refer to someone (especially a trans person) using a word, usually a pronoun, honorific, or form of address, that does not correctly reflect the gender they are.
trans•gen•der /adjective/ denoting or relating to any person whose gender differs from the gender they were assigned at birth; usually shortened to 'trans' due to multiple potential full forms.
non•bi•na•ry /adjective/ denoting or relating to any trans person who is neither a woman nor a man at all or who is not 100% a woman nor 100% a man 100% of the time. [Please note that while some nonbinary people are nonbinary trans people, some nonbinary people are not trans while they are still non-cis. These definitions are also simplified and limited to the western transgender framework and may not adequately apply to non-western, non-white, or gender variant people.]
cis•gen•der /adjective/ denoting or relating to any person whose gender matches the gender they were assigned at birth; usually shortened to 'cis'.
Question: "What are you?" or "What are you really?"
Why Not: This is an invasive question that misses the point. A trans/non-cis person is who they say they are and is the gender they say they are. Talking to us like we're lying, pretending or are a science experiment is disrespectful and dehumanizing.
Solution: "What are your pronouns? Mine are she/her." or "Hi, my name is Sara and I'm a woman. How about yourself?"
Question: "What's your real name?" or "What's your birth gender?"
Why Not: The name provided to you is their real name. The gender they were assigned at birth is not information you need and is often just trying to learn what someone's genitalia is which is inappropriate. The gender they've told you they are is their real gender.
Solution: Just don't ask these questions!
Pronouns are not a preference. If you only say that trans/non-cis people have "preferred pronouns" or "identify as" a particular gender, but cis people just have the pronouns they have and just are the gender they are, you're implying that trans/non-cis people are not legitimate. It implies that only cis people are "normal" and that trans/non-cis people are lying or insincere and you're merely humoring them. Trans/non-cis people do not simply prefer their pronouns, or identify as their gender ... their pronouns are the pronouns they have and they are the gender they are.
Misgendering is harmful and disrespectful. When you misgender someone you are telling them what gender you inherently see them as or think they are. This is painful, distressing, sometimes dysphoria-inducing, and quickly adds up in volume for the people you misgender. This has a strong effect on their trust in you, their safety around you, their energy levels, and their ability to operate efficiently. It is impossible to respect a trans/non-cis person if you don't actually believe they are the gender they are. Misgendering them makes it clear you don't, even if it's only subconscious. You may not intend harm or be intentionally trying to do so, but intent does not undo or change the pain misgendering causes.
Hi, I'm _______. I'm a _______. I use _______ pronouns.
_______ went to the store. _______. will be back soon! I believe that belongs to _______. I'll let _______ know.
_______ will be right with you! You can ask _______ any questions you might have!
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LGBTQIA+ Glossary
