Happy Pride Month!
In our ongoing work to build meaningful Jewish lives together, we invite members of the BAI community to mark this Pride month in the following way: Consider the value of sharing our gender or non/a-gender pronouns (she/her, he/his, they/them,ze /zir, ey/ir) as an aspect of kavod (dignity) and pikuach nefesh (saving a life). Sharing our pronouns normalizes discussions about gender and forms a vital aspect of building a more inclusive society.
In particular, we invite you to consider as a practice for the month of June, if not after, to add your pronouns to your email, zoom and social media. And to educate yourself (and others) as to why this matters. Test it out. See how it feels. Notice your reactions. Discuss!
Putting this into practice is easy!
You can start by changing your email signature line to note your gender pronouns, and then do the same for your Zoom, LinkedIn, and social media profiles.
We offer resources below, which convey the value and particulars of this practice. We welcome thoughts on engaging in this work as a community.
May we use this Pride Month to dedicate ourselves to continued learning, growth, allyship, and celebration.
L’shalom,
The BAI LGBTQ+ Working Group
Donna Kirschner and Carly Goldberg, co-chairs
Including Pronouns Resources:
- This article from The New School lays out commonly used gender (and non-gender) pronouns and why they matter
- This article from Forbes.com lays out a compelling case for putting your pronouns in email and social media signatures
- This resource explains what gendered pronouns are and why they matter.
- Why they matter Virtually: and how to change add your pronouns to your Zoom account.
- Finally, here is a wonderful new book, written by Philly author Katherine Locke, for children (and families) about our “words” that help us describe ourselves (adjectives and pronouns, which for some people can change daily!)
- What are Your Words? A Book About Pronouns, by Katherine Locke: Follow Ari through their neighborhood as they try to find their words in this sweet, accessible introduction to gender-inclusive pronouns that is perfect for readers of all ages..Filled with bright, graphic illustrations, this simple and poignant story about finding yourself is the perfect introduction to gender-inclusive pronouns for readers of all ages.
