Gender neutral titles: Difference between revisions

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A '''gender neutral title''' is an alternative to the gendered honorifics Miss, Mrs, Ms and Mr, for people who don't fit the [[gender binary]] and therefore don't feel that a gendered title fits their identity. It is used in formal situations when it is inappropriate to refer to someone by their first or last name only.
A '''gender neutral title''' is an honorific title that does not indicate the [[gender]] of the person being formally addressed, such as in a letter or other communication, or when introducing the person to others.  They are a form of [[gender neutral language]].  By comparison, the traditional honorifics of Miss, Mrs, Ms and Mr all indicate the [[gender binary|binary gender]] of the individual.


The newer term "Mx" avoids specifying gender not only for persons who wish not to indicate a binary gender (male or female) but also for persons whose [[gender identity]] does not fit the [[gender binary]].  Honorifics are used in situations when it is inappropriate to refer to someone only by their first or last name, such as when addressing a letter "Dear Mx Jones" or when introducing the person to others. Activists, supporters and others are working toward awareness and acceptance of alternative honorifics including Mx.
For the most part, gender neutral titles without qualification/career connotations are not recognised by the general public or businesses/organisations. Activists and supporters are working toward awareness and acceptance of alternative titles. The generally accepted gender neutral titles are associated with qualifications and careers, such as Dr (Doctor) and Rev (Reverend).


Note that in Britain, honorifics are not ended with a period, while in the United States a period is used with the honorifics "Mr." and "Mrs." because they are abbreviations (for Mister and Mistress), as well as with "Ms." in order to preserve the form.  "Miss" is not ended with a period because it is not an abbreviated form of a longer word.
For some nonbinary folk, being referred to with a gendered title can trigger [[gender dysphoria]].


==Gender neutral titles==
==Changing your title==
 
===United Kingdom===
[[File:MXstatdecTEMPLATE.jpg|thumb|A UK-specific Statutory Declaration template for title change to 'Mx']]
 
A Deed Poll can be used to change your name and/or your title free of charge, if you can get two witnesses together.
 
A Statutory Declaration of title change (see image of template to the right) can be drawn up and presented to a regular solicitor to witness/sign for a cost of approximately £10.00 (this usually includes a couple of legal copies); having the solicitor draw the document up for you may incur a much higher cost (£70.00+). You do not usually need to make an appointment for this service as the process only takes a few minutes.
 
The Deed Poll Service notes that “There's no need to follow any formal procedure (such a executing a Deed Poll) if you only wish to change your title.  You simply need to start using your new title and notify all the record holders that you have changed it.”[http://www.deedpoll.org.uk/AreThereAnyRestrictionsOnNames.html#Section3.6]
 
==List of gender neutral titles==
Here follows an alphabetical list of gender-neutral or specifically nonbinary titles that are alternatives to Mr. and Ms.
 
===Ind===
 
'''How to use:''' Ind. Sam Smith. Ind. Smith.
 
'''Pronunciation:''' "ind" (IPA: ˌɪnd) or "individual".
 
'''History:''' The Ind title was coined by Torin "MinimalistFish" Unrealisk in early 2014, a [[genderless]] individual who goes by the Ind title. Unrealisk proposed it in a post to a social blogging website, Tumblr.<ref>Conversation thread between Orion Scribner (frameacloud) and Torin Unrealisk (minimalistfish). 2014-11-12. <i>A Glorious Abscence of Gender</i> (personal blog). Torin Unrealisk. [http://minimalistfish.tumblr.com/post/102483931685/torin-unrealisk-thank-you-for-what-you-wrote-about-the http://minimalistfish.tumblr.com/post/102483931685/torin-unrealisk-thank-you-for-what-you-wrote-about-the] Or archive: [http://frameacloud.tumblr.com/post/102488535511/torin-unrealisk-thank-you-for-what-you-wrote-about-the http://frameacloud.tumblr.com/post/102488535511/torin-unrealisk-thank-you-for-what-you-wrote-about-the]</ref>
 
'''Meaning:''' According to the one who coined it, Ind is short for "Individual". This title may be more appropriate for those who do not feel "mixed gender" implied titles meets their gender-neutral standards. Ind was designed to be entirely free of gender, thus making it an attractive option for [[agender]] and [[gender nonconforming]] individuals. For more information, see [http://minimalistfish.tumblr.com/post/76750503799/ind-as-a-gender-neutral-title the post in which it was coined].<ref>Torin Unrealisk (minimalistfish). "Ind. as a gender neutral title?" 2014-02-15. <i>A Glorious Abscence of Gender</i> (personal blog). Torin Unrealisk. [http://minimalistfish.tumblr.com/post/76750503799/ind-as-a-gender-neutral-title http://minimalistfish.tumblr.com/post/76750503799/ind-as-a-gender-neutral-title] Or archive: [http://frameacloud.tumblr.com/post/102470317561/ind-as-a-gender-neutral-title http://frameacloud.tumblr.com/post/102470317561/ind-as-a-gender-neutral-title]</ref>
 
===M===
 
'''How to use:''' M Smith. M. Smith.
 
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''em'' (IPA: ɛm), like the name of the letter M.
 
'''Meaning:''' Meant to be a neutral title that is not based off "mixing" binary genders. Based on the gendered titles Mr and Ms, just without the second letter.
 
'''Examples of use:''' In science fiction by Dan Simmons, ''Hyperion Cantos,'' all adult humans go by the title M.<ref>http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FantasticHonorifics</ref>
 
'''Similar-looking titles:''' One potential problem with the neutral title "M" is confusion with the French title "M." short for "Monsieur," which is masculine, not neutral. [http://epochryphal.tumblr.com/post/27562258920/hmmmm-so-i-know-m-stands-for-monsieur-en][http://epochryphal.tumblr.com/post/37860057313/delvinappterrace-replied-to-your-post-today-i]
 
===Misc===
 
'''How to use:''' Misc Sam Smith. Misc Smith.
 
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced "misk" (IPA: mɪsk).
 
'''History and meaning:''' The roots of the word miscellaneous comes from the Latin *miscellus*, meaning “mixed,” following the rationale that a lot of [[nonbinary]] people would say that they have aspects of various genders at various times. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/3015181250/a-gender-neutral-title-misc First known mention] in January 2011.
 
===Mre===
 
'''How to use:''' Mre. Smith.
 
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''mystery'' or ''misstree''.
 
'''History and meaning:''' A play on non-binary gender often being perceived as "mysterious." One potential problem is that it contains the "mister" and "miss" sounds in the beginning. In 2001, Liz Menzel wrote, "As Mr. is short for Mister, and Mrs. was once short for Mistress, how about Mre., for 'Mistree' (or I suppose for 'mystery,' for those who demand their spelling)."<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20070310125817/http://aetherlumina.com/gnp/references.html</ref>
 
===Msr===
 
'''How to use:''' Msr Smith.
 
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misser''.<ref>[http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles]</ref>


===Mx===
===Mx===


'''Mx''' is a title commonly used by [[genderqueer|nonbinary people]] as well as those who do not wish their gender to be known,<ref name="Beyond the Binary: Question 23">''[http://cnlester.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/beyond-the-binary-question-twenty-three/ Beyond the Binary: Question Twenty-Three]''</ref> which was first written about in the 1970s.<ref name="SundayTimesDict">''[http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/article1551885.ece Now pick Mr, Mrs, Miss, Ms . . . or Mx for no specific gender]'', ''The Sunday Times'', May 2015.</ref><ref>''[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/11597192/Whats-it-like-to-be-a-Mx.html What’s it like to be a Mx?]'', Olivia Goldhill, ''The Telegraph'', May 2015.</ref> [[Nat Titman]] spoke about its usage and brought it into popular acceptance.<ref name="mxcreation"></ref> Among all other gender neutral titles, Mx is the most commonly used one,<ref name="NBGQsurvey2016">''[http://nonbinarystats.tumblr.com/post/141311159050/nbgq-survey-2016-the-worldwide-results NB/GQ Survey 2016 - the worldwide results]'', ''Nonbinary Stats'', March 2016.</ref> and is accepted by government and other organisations throughout the UK.<ref>http://uktrans.info/attachments/article/249/mxevidencelowres.pdf</ref>
''For more information, see main article: [[Mx]].''
 
'''How to use:''' Mx Sam Smith. Mx Smith.
 
'''History:''' It's not yet known who created the Mx title, when, or what their original intentions were. There is anecdotal evidence that someone went by this title "in about 1965,"<ref>Cassian Lotte Lodge (cassolotl). "Mx has been around since the 1960s." November 26, 2014. Blog post. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103645470405 http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103645470405]</ref><ref>octopus8. November 18, 2014. Comment on news article. [http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/nov/17/rbs-bank-that-likes-to-say-mx#comment-43834815 http://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2014/nov/17/rbs-bank-that-likes-to-say-mx#comment-43834815]</ref> and the earliest known recorded mention of the Mx title was in 1977.<ref>Practical Androgyny (PractiAndrogyny). May 4, 2015. [https://twitter.com/PractiAndrogyny/status/595329679789260801 https://twitter.com/PractiAndrogyny/status/595329679789260801]</ref><ref>''The Single Parent'', vol 20. [https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IgwdAQAAMAAJ&amp;dq=editions%3ALCCNsc83001271&amp;focus=searchwithinvolume&amp;q=Mx https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=IgwdAQAAMAAJ&amp;dq=editions%3ALCCNsc83001271&amp;focus=searchwithinvolume&amp;q=Mx]</ref> The earliest recorded mention of the Mx title on the Internet was in 1982, and the earliest person found on the Internet earnestly and actively using Mx as their title was in 1998.<ref>Nat Titman, "When was the Mx gender-inclusive title created?" August 28, 2014. ''Practical Androgyny.'' [http://practicalandrogyny.com/2014/08/28/when-was-the-mx-gender-inclusive-title-created/ http://practicalandrogyny.com/2014/08/28/when-was-the-mx-gender-inclusive-title-created/]</ref> People began using Mx more often starting around 2000.<ref>Cassian Lotte Lodge, "The growing use of Mx as a gender-inclusive title in the UK." Version 2.5. May 9, 2015. [http://mxactivist.tumblr.com/post/118514708025 http://mxactivist.tumblr.com/post/118514708025]</ref> In 2015, assistant editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) Jonathan Dent said that they are considering putting Mx into the OED,<ref>Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith, "Gender neutral honorific Mx 'to be included' in the Oxford English Dictionary alongside Mr, Ms and Mrs and Miss." May 3, 2015. ''The Independent''. [http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gender-neutral-honorific-mx-to-be-included-in-the-oxford-english-dictionary-alongside-mr-ms-and-mrs-and-miss-10222287.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/gender-neutral-honorific-mx-to-be-included-in-the-oxford-english-dictionary-alongside-mr-ms-and-mrs-and-miss-10222287.html]</ref><ref>Mary Papenfuss, "Oxford Dictionary may include gender-neutral honorific 'Mx'." May 5, 2015. ''International Business Times.'' [http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/oxford-dictionary-may-include-gender-neutral-honorific-mx-1499626 http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/oxford-dictionary-may-include-gender-neutral-honorific-mx-1499626]</ref> and it was added in August 2015.<ref>''[http://www.out.com/news-opinion/2015/8/27/gender-neutral-title-mx-added-oxford-english-dictionary Gender-Neutral Title Mx Added to Oxford English Dictionary]'', out.com, 27th August 2015. Captured April 2016.</ref>
 
'''Pronunciation:''' There are several different pronunciations of Mx, including muks (IPA: məks or mʌks), mix, em ex, mixter,<ref>Cassian Lotte Lodge, "On the pronunciation of Mx." November 27, 2014. Blog post. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103744029100 http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103744029100]</ref>, or mixture.<ref>"Beyond the binary question twenty three." July 8, 2013. Blog post. [https://cnlester.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/beyond-the-binary-question-twenty-three/ https://cnlester.wordpress.com/2013/07/08/beyond-the-binary-question-twenty-three/]</ref> A 2014 survey of 118 people found the most popular pronunciations in the UK was "məks" (by 43%), and worldwide was "mix" (42%).<ref>Cassian Lotte Lodge, "On the pronunciation of Mx." November 27, 2014. Blog post. [http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103744029100 http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/103744029100]</ref>


The "x" is intended to stand as a wildcard character, and does not imply a "mixed" gender.<ref name="mxcreation">''[http://practicalandrogyny.com/2014/08/28/when-was-the-mx-gender-inclusive-title-created/ When was the Mx gender-inclusive title created?]'', Nat Titman, ''Practical Androgyny'', August 2014.</ref> "Mx" is usually pronounced "mix" or with a schwa, "məx".<ref name="mxpronunciation">''[http://nonbinarystats.tumblr.com/post/143382802540/on-the-pronunciation-of-mx On the pronunciation of Mx]'', ''Nonbinary Stats'', April 2016.</ref>
'''Meaning:''' The ''x'' acts as a wild card, taking the usual title format of Mr and Ms, and putting in an ''x'' to remove the gender in the title.


===Misc===
'''Popularity:''' In a 2016 survey involving over 3,000 nonbinary respondents, Mx was the most popular gender-inclusive title at 34%.<ref name="CassolotlNBGQ2016">[http://cassolotl.tumblr.com/post/137953257500 NB/GQ Survey 2016 - the worldwide results], published 20 Feb 2015</ref> As the result of nonbinary activists asking companies to offer the Mx title as an option in paperwork, this option is becoming more widely available and well-established. As of February 2015, "31 major and respected companies, organisations and governmental departments in the UK" have been shown to give this option.<ref>Cassian Lotte Lodge (mxactivist). "There’s a new UK Mx evidence PDF up." February 6, 2015. Blog post. [http://mxactivist.tumblr.com/post/110248930295 http://mxactivist.tumblr.com/post/110248930295]</ref>


'''Misc''' or sometimes 'misk' is another gender neutral pronoun.<ref name="Beyond the Binary: Question 23" /> The word is derived from the Latin word '''miscellus''', meaning “mixed,” following the rationale that a lot of nonbinary people would say that they have aspects of various genders at various times.
===Myr===


In a 2016 international survey of nonbinary participants, 0.8% of over 3,000 participants preferred the title Misc.<ref name="NBGQsurvey2016"></ref>
Myr, or myr, used as a gender neutral title, honorific, and proper noun in science fiction books by David Marusek. Its plural form is myren.<ref>cicadacicada. "New gender-neutral title." http://cicadacicada.tumblr.com/post/13856770096/new-gender-neutral-title</ref>


===Ind.===
===Pr===
'''Ind''', which stands for Individual, is a newly created gender neutral title. This title may be more appropriate for those who do not feel Mx meets their gender neutral standards, as Mx can sometimes be taken to stand for "mix". Ind was created to be free of gender, entirely, thus making it a better option for [[Genderqueer|agender]] and gender nonconforming persons.


In a survey of over 3,000 nonbinary people in 2016, around 2.5% of nonbinary people used the title Ind.<ref name="NBGQsurvey2016"></ref>
'''How to use:''' Pr Smith.


== Gender neutral forms of ma'am or sir ==
'''Pronunciation:''' The title Pr is pronounced "per" (IPA, UK: pɜː(ɹ), US: pɝ)


=== Comrade ===
'''Meaning:''' It is intended as an abbreviation of "person". (source needed)
'''Comrade''' is a gender neutral form of address.  However, because of its communist associations, it is not suitable for all situations.<ref name=":0">http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles</ref>


=== Tiz ===
'''Examples of use:''' One written record of its use as a genderless title is from 2001, in a press complaint by non-gendered activist Pr [[Christie Elan-Cane]].<ref>"Pr Christie Elan-Cane v Woman's Own about Accuracy." January 31, 2001. [http://presscomplaints.org/case/3431/ http://presscomplaints.org/case/3431/]</ref>
'''Tiz,''' which is short for citizen, can be used instead of ma'am or sir.<ref name=":0" />


=== Mirdam ===
'''Similar-looking titles:''' Pr. is also the title given to a Christian pastor.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor</ref>
'''Mirdam''' is a combination of sir and madam and can be used instead of either.<ref name=":0" />


=== Mistdam ===
===Sai===
Similar to mirdam, '''mistdam''' is a combination of mister and madam.<ref name=":0" />


=== Sir'ram ===
Sai. In ''The Dark Tower,'' the title "Sai" is a gender neutral title, the equivalent Mr or Ms, as well as the honorifics sir or ma'am.
'''Sir'ram''' is another title created by combination, in this case, the combination of sir and ma'am.<ref name=":0" />


=== Mir ===
===Ser===
'''Mir''' is a combination of sir and madam.<ref name=":0" />


=== Sir ===
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''sair'', to rhyme with ''hair''.
'''Sir''' is used as a gender neutral address in the military.  However, outside a military context, it tends to be seen as a maculine form of address.<ref name=":0" />


== Usage ==
'''History and meaning (as a gender-neutral title):''' Used as a gender-neutral version of "Sir" in works of fiction such as Greg Bear's ''The Way'' novels, and the ''Dragon Age'' series of video games.


In March 2017, the bank HSBC introduced ten options for gender neutral titles for its customers, in addition to gendered titles. The titles are Ind, M, Mx, Misc, Mre, Msr, Myr, Pr, Sai, and Ser.<ref>"[https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/30/hsbc-offers-choice-of-transgender-titles-for-banks-customers HSBC offers choice of transgender titles for bank's customers]", ''The Guardian'', March 2017.</ref>
'''Similar-looking titles:''' While the title "Ser" is hundreds of years old, and has been used in a lot of media, it does not always mean the same thing, and is not gender-neutral in all cases. It's also not always equivalent to Mr or Ms, and may imply that a person has a specific profession or status. In the 1400s, "Ser" was "an honorific title usually given to notaries."<ref>Girolamo Savonarola, ''A guide to righteous living and other works.'' p. 149. </ref> In the seventeenth century in Tuscany, "Ser" was one of the titles given to physicians, and thus equivalent to "Doctor".<ref>David Gentilcore, ''Healers and healing in early modern Italy.'' p. 58.</ref> In Game of Thrones, "Ser" is the title given to knights, who are exclusively male in that setting, so it is not a gender-neutral title there.<ref>"Knighthood." ''Game of Thrones Wiki.'' http://gameofthrones.wikia.com/wiki/Knighthood </ref> Many examples of fiction that uses Ser, but they don't all use it to mean the same thing, as can be seen in [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FantasticHonorifics TV Tropes's article about Ser and other unusual honorifics in fiction]. "Ser" is also not to be confused with a similar title, "Sr," meaning "sister," the title given to a Catholic nun.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_honorifics </ref>


== See also ==
==See Also==
* [[Pronouns]]
* [[Pronouns]]
* [[Gender neutral language]]
 
===External Links===
*[http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles Gender Queeries: Gender Neutral / Queer Titles]
*[http://genderqueerintheuk.wordpress.com/misc-or-mx-a-gender-neutral-title/ Genderqueer in the UK: Misc, or Mix: A Gender-neutral Title]
*[http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/17793 A UK HM Government petition for the acceptance of Mx, deadline September 2012]
*[http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FantasticHonorifics TV Tropes: Fantastic Honorifics]. On unusual titles and honorifics in fiction, only some of which are gender-neutral.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_neutral_title Wikipedia: Gender neutral title]


==References==
==References==
<references/>


<references />


[[Category:Language]]
[[Category:Practical resources]] [[Category:Language]] [[Category:Gender neutral language]] [[Category:Transition]]
[[Category:Gender neutrality]]
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