Words matter. The language we use to describe identities, experiences, and relationships can affirm someone’s humanity — or erase it. Terms like “they/them,” “non-binary,” “pansexual,” or “queer” might be unfamiliar to some, but they are vital for others.
Pride Month is a great time to reflect on how inclusive our language really is. Are we asking for pronouns? Are we correcting ourselves when we misgender someone? Are we creating space for people to define themselves in their own words?
Language is ever-evolving, and it’s okay to make mistakes. What matters is our willingness to learn and adapt. The more inclusive our words become, the safer and more affirming our spaces will be.
This Pride, commit to using your words as tools of inclusion, not assumption. Because how we speak shapes how we see.
Kanishka