Warning: Beware of people addicted to controlling others. They will focus on the most intimate decisions of your life: your body, your gender and gender identity, your sexuality and sexual orientation.
Our Utah Legislature is at it again, doing their worst for our LGBTQ youth, without regard for the very harmful effect of their words and deeds. The good people of Utah care about the welfare of children. Our common ground is the word care. Actions that cause depression and suicide among our youth are not caring.
Our Legislature has passed bills that cause depression and suicide. What can caring people do to mitigate the effect on LGBTQ youth? A simple start is to listen, and respect their choices on gender identity terms, including pronouns. This is simple courtesy, comparable to pronouncing their name correctly.
“Using the correct pronouns for trans and nonbinary youth is a way to let them know that you see them, you affirm them, you accept them, and to let them know that they are loved during a time when they are being targeted by so many discriminatory anti-trans state laws and policies.” (Mary Emily O’Hara, GLAAD)
If you identify your own pronouns, others feel safe to identify their own. In my seventieth year I have decided to lessen gendered language and constructs. I am Jo Evans, she/they, which means I use both pronouns. Feel free to alternate between these when referring to me.
Society and individuals have benefited from the evolution of gender roles over thousands of years. Would you want to return to the roles from two thousand years ago? Beware of anyone who would.
Jo Evans, Millcreek
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