Demi Lovato has recently made headlines for their decision to re-adopt the use of she/her pronouns, in addition to they/them. The singer and actor had changed their pronouns to they/them a while back, as a way to express their non-binary identity. However, Lovato has since explained that constantly having to explain their pronoun choices was “absolutely exhausting,” and that they wanted to feel more human at their core. In an interview with GQ Hype Spain, Lovato spoke about the challenges of educating people on pronouns and gender identity, and expressed a desire for more gender-neutral spaces and options on forms.
While some critics have argued that Lovato’s decision to switch back to she/her pronouns is confusing or undermines the non-binary community, many nonbinary experts have praised Lovato for exemplifying the fluidity of pronouns. “I constantly had to educate people and explain why I identified with those pronouns. It was absolutely exhausting,” she told GQ Hype Spain. “I just got tired. But for that very reason I know that it is important to continue spreading the word.”
As gender identity continues to evolve over time, Lovato joins many other celebrities who have reassessed and adjusted their pronoun preferences. Over on social media, her fans say that her willingness to be open and honest about their journey is a powerful example of self-expression and self-acceptance. Apart from pronouns, Lovato also discussed the challenges that come with gender-labeled bathrooms and forms that only offer male and female options. They expressed a desire for more gender-neutral spaces and options for people like them who do not identify as strictly male or female.
Pronouns can be confusing, especially in today’s society where more and more people are identifying as nonbinary or gender nonconforming. It is essential to understand the importance of using correct pronouns when referring to individuals.
Actively ignoring someone’s pronouns is an act of aggression that implies that transgender, nonbinary, intersex, and gender-nonconforming people are not valued or respected. However, it is also important to note that pronouns do not define one’s identity or create social injustice. Pronouns are simply short words that replace a noun to avoid repetition. Gender pronouns must agree with their antecedent to avoid confusion.
Traditionally, the default for third-person singular pronouns in the English language has been masculine, but this has been contested by feminists. The misuse of pronouns is not considered grammatically incorrect due to the increasing number of genders and made-up pronouns. It is crucial to acknowledge that the concept of gender is more challenging since people gender themselves, and it might have nothing to do with a physical characteristic.
Self-identification is now more important than physical differences. However, activists do not have the right to dictate opinions and change the understanding of sex.
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