Gender has become such a contentious issue in today’s world.
The two main genders have always been male and female, but with time, some people have felt that those two identifiers are limiting. They have instead opted to be non-binary or gender fluid.
Non-binary individuals go by pronouns that are neither male nor female, for example, they/them/theirs.
They do not answer to he or her because they do not identify as either of the two genders and opt to have a fluctuating gender.
Pronouns such as Xe/Xem/Xyrs, Ze/Zir/Zirs or E/Em/Eirs are used instead of the standard male and female pronouns.
So an individual who says they are gender fluid may be introduced as “John is a student at the University of Nairobi. They study Law.”
Ridiculous as it may sound, some people say that they would rather identify as neither male nor female to not face discrimination.
While applying for a job interview, for example, a person who does not submit their gender may be less likely profiled as a male applicant or a female applicant.
According to an article by the BBC, a recent study found that using gender-neutral pronouns reduces mental biases that favour men and increases positive attitudes towards women and the LGBTQ community.
Today, organisations and workplaces are working on being diverse and inclusive.
