Catalogue Number
NMLH.2020.11.4
Object Name
Badge
Title
they/them
Description
White circular badge reading 'they/them'.
Pronoun badges are used to indicate how people should refer to you in conversation. Using the right pronouns for a person is important, and this can be significant for transgender and nonbinary people, or other gender nonconforming people. The most commonly used pronouns in English are he/him, she/her or they/them. Other people might use a mixed set like she/they. Some transgender and nonbinary people don't feel that pre-existing pronouns express their gender accurately and have developed neopronouns like ze/hir as alternatives.
While most English speakers are more familiar with it as a pronoun for a group of people, they/them has been used as a singular pronoun dating back to the medieval era. The Oxford English Dictionary noted the first written use of singular they in 1375 and says this is evidence it was in spoken use earlier than this. Singular they and them can be used as follows: "This is Billie, they are a youth worker. I am going to the museum with them."
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