The document discusses supporting LGBTQIA+ students and understanding gender pronouns. It defines key terms like transgender, cisgender, gender, sexuality and different gender pronouns like they/them. It provides tips for using inclusive language and being an ally, such as avoiding assumptions about gender or sexuality. It recommends that instructors share their own pronouns, ask students for their pronouns, and provide resources to promote inclusion.

1. People, Pronouns,
& Labels
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Students &
Understanding Gender Pronouns
Lisa Hager
Associate Professor of English and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha
hagerl@uwm.edu
they, them, theirs & she, her, hers
bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered

2. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bisexual & Pansexual
• Transgender
LGBTQIA+?

3. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Key Transgender Terms
Transgender:
Anyone who identifies as a different gender
than that which was assigned at birth
Cisgender:
Anyone who identifies as the same gender as
that which was assigned at birth

4. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
• Lesbian
• Gay
• Bisexual & Pansexual
• Transgender
• Queer and Questioning
• Intersex
• Asexual
Note: these
terms
are all
adjectives
LGBTQIA+?

5. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Terms & Examples
Sex: female, male, intersex
Gender: transwoman, transman, woman,
agender, genderqueer, man, butch woman,
two-spirit, bigender
Sexuality: homosexual, pansexual, asexual,
heterosexual, bisexual
Attraction: aesthetic, romantic, sensual, sexual

7. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
What is a pronoun?
• Pronouns are the words in a language that
we use in place of people’s names
• Pronouns often imply a person’s gender
• Most common pronouns in English:
• she, her, hers
• he, him, his
• they, them, theirs

8. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Gender Pronouns & “They”
• It is no longer acceptable to use he/him/his
as a gender-neutral pronoun
• The English language lacks a true gender-
neutral pronoun
• “They” is an acceptable and correct singular
pronoun (this usage has its roots in Chaucer
& Shakespeare). The Oxford English
Dictionary has even officially approved the
singular they.

9. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Gender Pronouns & “They”
When a student submits a paper, he or she
sees confetti on Canvas.
When a student submits a paper, they sees
confetti on Canvas.
When students submit papers, they see
confetti on Canvas.

10. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Neo-Pronouns

11. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Inclusive Language Tips
1. Avoid unnecessarily gendering individuals
and groups of people

13. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Inclusive Language Tips
2. Shift your language to avoid phrases like
“the opposite sex” and those that assume
that all people of a particular gender have
the same anatomy.
Suggestion: use phrases like “people of all
genders” and “people with X physical part.”

14. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Inclusive Language Tips
3. If you mess up someone’s pronouns or
name, simply correct yourself and move on
with the conversation.
I mess up all the time!
People will appreciate that you are working
to respect them.

15. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Inclusive Language Tips
4. To find out a person’s pronouns in a one-
on-one conversation, offer your own when
you introduce yourself. The person will likely
offer theirs in response.
Suggestion: “Hi! I’m Lisa, and my pronouns
are they, them, theirs.”

16. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Inclusive Language Tips
5. If you’re in a group or classroom setting and
you are unsure of someone’s pronouns, use
“they” until you find out a person’s
pronouns or have a chance to ask them
privately.

17. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
1. Don’t assume you know someone’s sexual
orientation or gender identity (or any part
of that person’s identity) just by looking at
that person.

18. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
2. Listen to LGBTQIA+ people. They are the
experts on their own experiences and
identity. Resist the tendency to fit individual
LGBTQIA+ people into popular narratives or
stereotypes.
There is no singular way to transition or
identify.

19. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
3. Keep all personal information that a student
may communicate regarding gender
identity and sexuality confidential.
Avoid outing anyone.

20. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
4. If a person comes out to you, listen and be
supportive. Be careful about giving advice.
Freely admit if you don’t know something,
and point the person in the direction of
appropriate resources.

21. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
4. (a) Do not ask about anyone’s genitals or
sex practices unless you are that person’s
doctor or sex partner.
There is no “the surgery” for trans people

22. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
General Ally Tips
5. Speak up if you hear anyone use
homophobic, transphobic, or gender-
policing language in your communities.
Suggestion: ask the person to explain what
they mean by that language and offer
alternatives.

23. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Recommendations for Higher Education
1. Include your own gender pronouns in your
email signature, syllabi, Canvas (if enabled),
and Zoom.

24. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Syllabus

26. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Canvas Account -> Settings

27. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Canvas Account -> Settings

28. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Zoom Profile

29. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
2. For instructors, consider asking about your
students’ gender pronouns at the beginning
of the semester in a Canvas Survey
(click here to import mine into any of your
Canvas courses)
Recommendations for Higher Education

30. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered

31. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered

32. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered

33. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
3. Provide links to these how-to pages and
other relevant resources as a standard part
of classes and orientations etc.
Recommendations for Higher Education

34. Lisa Hager ~ hagerl@uwm.edu ~ they, them, theirs & she, her, hers ~ bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered

35. Questions &
Comments?
bit.ly/genderinclusivehighered
Lisa Hager
Associate Professor of English and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies
UW-Milwaukee at Waukesha
hagerl@uwm.edu
they, them, theirs & she, her, hers