personal pronouns

A word that replaces a proper in name.

First-person personal pronouns are self-referring: I, me, and we.

The second-person personal pronoun refers to the person or people being spoken to: you.

Third person personal pronouns refer to the person or people being spoken or written about: he, she, they, him, her, them, etc.

EAPM suggests respecting a person’s personal and to use the pronouns of their use and to follow the policy of the Trans Journalists Association with reference to personal pronouns in all cases.

Someone’s pronouns are not a preference, but rather the only appropriate way to refer to that person. … The term preferred pronouns is only appropriate when someone uses more than one set of pronouns and has a preference for one over the other, explains TJA.

In other words, simply use the person’s pronouns. Sources should be asked for their pronouns, but do not write the phrase noting a person’s preferred pronouns following first use.

Examples:

• Using she/her pronouns:
  It was a great event, Jamie Jones said. We’ll hold this fundraiser again next year.
  She said the organization raised more than $50,000, and that such a it was a great surprise to her.
• Using he/him pronouns:
  It was a great event, Jamie Jones said. We’ll hold this fundraiser again next year.
  He said the organization raised more than $50,000, and that such a it was a great surprise to him.
• Using they/them pronouns:
  It was a great event, Jamie Jones said. We’ll hold this fundraiser again next year.
  They said the organization raised more than $50,000, and that such a it was a great surprise to them.

Be aware: they/them/theirs as a singular pronoun uses a plural verb.

If someone uses multiple pronouns, such as masculine and gender-neutral pronouns or feminine and gender-neutral pronouns or indicates they use any or all pronouns, ask what pronouns that person would like to use in publication.

From the TJA, There is never a reason to explain the use of standard they/them, he/him, or she/her in a story. When a source uses less common pronouns, it’s acceptable to have a quick, appositive phrase explaining them: Taylor, who uses ze/hir pronouns, attended the event.

For further explanation see the Trans Journalists’ Association Style Guide.

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