Monday, October 28

U.S. Embassy in Brazil releases video plugging gender-neutral pronouns

Using the unsuitable pronouns might not be an act of struggle, however so far as the U.S. Embassy in Brazil is anxious, it’s a micro-aggression.
 
The embassy posted an informational video Wednesday that includes a person named Mark explaining in English, with Portuguese subtitles, that “there is a range of gender identities” and that “you can’t assume someone’s gender just by looking at them.”
 
“Making incorrect assumptions about someone’s gender – that’s a micro-aggression,” stated Mark, who makes use of “he/him” pronouns. “That could be hurtful for individuals who identify with certain communities – such as transgender or queer communities.”

He went on to spotlight gender-neutral pronouns, saying that “a growing number of people are using different pronouns like they/them, xe/xem, ze/hir, per/pers and ey/em.”
 
“These are gender-neutral pronouns,” he stated within the video. “They don’t specify the gender of the subject of the sentence and they exist because you can’t assume someone’s gender just by looking at them.”
 
His recommendation? “So, what is the best way to be sure you are using the right pronouns? Just ask. Asking for and using someone’s preferred pronouns show respect and help create an inclusive environment,” he stated.

The video was posted on the embassy’s Facebook web page and Twitter account for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Preferred pronouns have been a precedence for the State Department beneath the Biden administration. The division posted in July 2021 a pronoun explainer known as “Why do many Americans list pronouns on social media platforms?”
 
On the opposite aspect are those that view the push for cross-sex or gender-neutral pronouns as an effort to compel speech and deny organic reality. Lawsuits have been filed by faculty staffers over insurance policies requiring them to make use of the cross-sex pronouns of scholars who establish as the alternative gender.
 
Not surprisingly, the embassy’s pronouns video raised eyebrows on the fitting. “Does anyone know the Portuguese pronoun for pinhead?” requested conservative radio host Todd Starnes.


Richard Hanania, president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, stated that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “wouldn’t have stood for it.”
 
“I like how nothing about US foreign policy changes on all the major questions of war and peace, but the outcomes of elections determine whether embassy staff announce pronouns,” tweeted Mr. Hanania.
 
Retired Navy Lt. Steven Rogers tweeted: “Can’t wait for Republicans to get control of our government once again and end this sick nonsense.”

 The embassy additionally raised the Progress Pride Flag on the flagpole Wednesday slightly below the American flag.
 
“We don’t celebrate days like today just once a year. We remember this every single day,” stated Douglas Koneff, the Brazil embassy’s deputy chief of mission, on the flag-raising ceremony. “This is a never-ending struggle to respect the rights of other human beings, of LGBTQI groups and individuals.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked the day with a tweet calling for “an end to harmful conversion therapy practices, including those that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.”

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com