Saturday, January 07, 2017

University librarians wear 'preferred gender pronoun' pins to make students feel safe

University librarians wear 'preferred gender pronoun' pins to make students feel safe - The College Fix:

‘Misgendering’ someone can ‘invalidate’ their identity
The University of Kansas Libraries are all about social justice.
Their home page prominently displays an icon for “Social Justice Resources,” a page created in cooperation with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. 
Students can learn about “privilege,” intersectionality and “The Unequal Opportunity Race” from the page.
They hosted a “Standing Rock Teach-In” on the Dakota Access Pipeline protests against the construction of an oil pipeline near the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.
Now the libraries’ own employees can show their commitment to diversity on the job by wearing “preferred gender pronoun” pins.
Created as part of the libraries’ “You Belong Here” marketing campaign, the pins are also being made available to students who request them.
They come in three types: “She/Her/Hers,” “He/Him/His” and “They/Them/Theirs,” for students who are transgender or non-binary, Lawrence Journal-World reported last week.
The pin campaign reminds library patrons that “gender is, itself, fluid and up to the individual,” according to a posted sign at the libraries.
It is threatening to assume that a person who looks male or female wants to be greeted as such, according to the sign.
“Each person has the right to identify their own pronouns, and we encourage you to ask before assuming someone’s gender. 
Pronouns matter! 
Misgendering someone can have lasting consequences, and using the incorrect pronoun can be hurtful, disrespectful, and invalidate someone’s identity.”

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