Gender neutral titles: Difference between revisions

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.

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.

==Gender neutral titles==

'''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>

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>

===Misc===

'''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.

In a 2016 international survey of nonbinary participants, 0.8% of over 3,000 participants preferred the title Misc.<ref name="NBGQsurvey2016"></ref>

===Ind.===

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>

== Gender neutral forms of ma'am or sir ==

'''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,''' which is short for citizen, can be used instead of ma'am or sir.<ref name=":0" />

'''Mirdam''' is a combination of sir and madam and can be used instead of either.<ref name=":0" />

=== Mistdam ===

=== Sir'ram ===

'''Sir'ram''' is another title created by combination, in this case, the combination of sir and ma'am.<ref name=":0" />

=== Mir ===

'''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" />

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>

== See also ==

* [[Gender neutral language]]

[[Category:Language]]

[[Category:Gender neutrality]]