I Don't Think She's Got The Hang Of This Non Binary Personal Pronoun Cobras!

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-57169541
"Today is a day I'm so happy to share more of my life with you all," -
err: "Today is a day We are so happy to share more of our lives with you all," ??

"I'm doing this for those out there that haven't been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones," -
err: "We're doing this for those out there that haven't been able to share who they truly are with their loved ones," ??

If you are going to do this bow locks then at least learn the correct terms!

[dannyk13]

Ed // I can't accept blatant intolerance//
Intolerance or simply bafflement? This non binary question certainly baffles me.A birth certificate will show boy or girl.

[burlyshirley]

^ Well said.

[ABSpareEditor]

This thread is now closed.

[ABSpareEditor]

This thread is now open.

One of the problems here is a misunderstanding between sex and gender. Sex is biological where as gender is a social construct. Please bear this in mind whilst discussing the OP.

[pastafreak]

I will admit to finding much of this very confusing. I want to say it's an age thing, but I'm not so very sure it is.
I know I find it difficult because I am not in the head of those who identify differently from me.
But that is also why we have so many prejudices about those who are different in some way. And it's so easy to ridicule or make fun of what is unknown.

[dannyk13]

If you want to know more about non-binary persons you should read this which, incidentally, left me more confused than ever.

https://transequality.org/issues/resources/understanding-non-binary-people-how-to-be-respectful-and-supportive#:~:text=The%20idea%20that%20there%20are,two%20categories%2C%20male%20or%20female.

[Ellipsis]

pixie374 > No, but it's a different example.

I made clear it was an example, before writing 'It seems perfectly reasonable to extend that wording into spaces where "he" or "she" doesn't fit.'

All you're really saying is that it doesn't seem reasonable to you.

> The thread is about a female... and most of us also don't converse by using "them" or "they" about someone they can actually see. It would be very rude.

Unless that's what they actually wanted you to do! And then it would be rude not to.

> But, if we don't use pronouns according to sex, how are you going to guess which is right?

You use pronounds according to sex until informed otherwise. It's not complicated.

All this is about is that the world is a changing place. Our language developed at a different time and a new language has been developed to cope with the changes. Some people want to resist the new ways and language, others are happy to go along with the changes for one reason or another, others still are driving the changes.

[pixie374]

It's nothing new or "changing", ellipsis. Certainly as long as I've been alive there have been transsexuals, generally very much accepted and respected. The problem is not "just" language though, the problem is that it's now being taken too literally and you only have to call yourself "she" for a man to break women's sports world records, be put into women's prisons and so on. You've seen lists of names and examples on here, plus the extra dangers and injuries.
Be whatever gender you like, whenever- nobody cares, but getting it confused with biological sex, is, and has been a problem. And using the wrong language seems to be a big part of that, because people genuinely believe often, that how they feel or identify, should be related to their sex. But why?

[ToraToraTora]

the world's gone mad.

[pixie374]

The world can go as mad as it likes, but it isn't reasonable to force others to join in, or use language they can actually prove to be wrong.

[pastafreak]

// Be whatever gender you like, whenever- nobody cares, but getting it confused with biological sex, is, and has been a problem. And using the wrong language seems to be a big part of that, because people genuinely believe often, that how they feel or identify, should be related to their sex. But why? //

I think that is where much of the confusion lies. Most people do believe gender and sex are one and the same. I know I have, and it takes time to change that assumption.

[pixie374]

I think so, pasta. But that's a more recent assumption. We never interchanged the words until maybe 25 years ago. I can remember it, anyway.

[dannyk13]

Just a tad insensitive.

[pixie374]

Do you mean the link, Danny? I think so. But it either is or it isn't... you can't have it both ways.

[davebro]

I got confused by the Kinks "Lola".

[pixie374]

Why did it go?

[Untitled]

It is not wrong to use "they" as a singular pronoun... it is not at all unusual to use "they" when referring to someone anonymous... (you don't use "it" in that circumstance do you?)

If people made up their own pronouns then they would get the same responses... "world's gone mad" "this is rubbish" etc...

If you understand the difference between sex and gender then there is no reason to object to this... yes it's a bit odd but who cares? Odd people make the world interesting.

[New Judge]

Since “Spare Ed” has seen fit to publish comments on the site’s moderation I assume it’s in order to comment on it. In particular, I find this very worrying:

//Some of the attitudes displayed on this thread are quite shocking. Whilst I can accept that there may be different opinions on controversial topics I can't accept blatant intolerance.//

I’ve looked back through this thread and, although I obviously cannot comment on removed answers, try as I may I cannot find anything intolerant to speak of. Controversial? – perhaps. Outspoken? - yes. Differing opinions? - definitely. But intolerant? – no. But I'll continue with a separate answer lest this one gets chopped.

[pixie374]

As I said, untitled- no problem with people being "odd". Call yourself what you like, but when you force others to join in, or it gets to an unfair, risky, dangerous situation, it needs to be rethought.