I’ve been noticing for a while now that people online, ot all but the number seems to keep growing, list in their biographies their  preferred pronouns. If any are unaware of what that is, it is how someone wants to be referred to as to their gender. so we’ll see “she/her”, “he, him”, etc even though the pronouns may have no basis in fact. I think that’s okay as that individuals should decide hw they wish to be referred to by others. It seems a bit silly, but hey, we do live in strange times, don’t we?

So I always look at someone’s bio on Twitter before I follow them and when I see a list of preferred pronouns, I question whether or not I want to follow this person. It doesn’t matter that the person may be a genius scientist, a fabulous entertainer, or a politician I can barely stand; I just hesitate at that point because I know if I ever have an interaction with that person, I’m going to have to remember  how they like to be referred to or else I may end up in social justice purgatory. Hey, somedays I wake up in the morning and can’t remember what day of the week it is and people expect me to remember which pronoun they prefer?Sorry, I just can’t do that and so instead of taking the chance of offending dsomeone I don’t know and will probably never meet, I have come up with what I believe to be a satisfactory solution: I will begin referring to everyone as it.

This seems to me to be a safe pronoun as being genderless so that I may not be accused of somehow being unfeeling about someone else’s feelings. Thge pronoun is perfect when considered, say in a tweet response: It makes a perfect point. It has said everything required in its post. No chance of misgendering and the pronoun may be applied widely, even to a person’s pets without taking the chance of offending the dog, cat, or whatever other pets may be involved.

I know some may find my solution ridiculous, but if certain people believe they have the inalienable right to be referred as they wish, do I not have the same right to try not to offend and choose a pronoun that will fit every circumstance?

I’ve thought long and hard about this very serious subject and believe that my solution, at least for me, is the best. Others may choose to use another’s preferred pronouns, if and when they can remember them, but isn’t it just easier?