Using Pronouns

Hey there! If you’ve recently received an email from us, been in a meeting with one of our staff, or been on our website, you might notice BHT employees introduce and identify themselves with their pronouns. Here’s a little more information on why we use pronouns.

What are personal pronouns?

Pronouns are words that refer to either the people talking (like you or me) or someone or something being talked about (like she, they, and this). Gender pronouns (like he or them) specifically refer to people that you are talking about. (The LGBT Resource Center). You may have previously heard introductions using ‘preferred’ pronouns, however BHT identifies with pronouns, as this is a way we show respect for gender as an identity and not a preference.

Why do we use pronouns?

Gender pronouns are something most of us use every day, and for BHT, they represent the respect we share for one another. Sometimes when others identify us with the wrong pronoun, it can lead to feeling dismissed or invalidated. You often can’t tell someone’s pronoun based on their clothing, mannerisms, hairstyle, or expressions. We want to make sure we are setting the tone with intentionality and allyship in all of our interactions, whether big or small, virtual or in-person.

Why do personal pronouns matter?

Inclusion is a core value for BHT, and we want to lead by example in starting any conversation by acknowledging that we all deserve respect for our identity. We hope anyone who feels vulnerable when working with us knows that we are an ally they can rely on and confide in. We truly believe that is where better health outcomes for all can be achieved. We invite you to participate in this practice of inclusion and introduce yourself to our staff with your pronouns.