Gender neutral titles: Difference between revisions
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Data provided by the 2019 Gender Census.<ref name="Census2018"/> | Data provided by the 2019 Gender Census.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
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A '''gender neutral title''' is an alternative to the gendered honorifics Miss, Mrs, Ms and Mr | 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. However, there are quite a lot of people who would prefer to never be referred to with a title. In the 2019 Gender Census, 33% of respondents didn't want to use a title for themselves.<ref name="Census2018" /> | ||
For the most part, gender neutral titles without qualification/career connotations are not | For the most part, gender neutral titles without qualification/career connotations are not recognized by the general public or businesses/organizations. 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). | ||
For some nonbinary | For some nonbinary people, being referred to with a gendered title can trigger [[gender dysphoria]]. | ||
==Changing your title== | ==Changing your title== | ||
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A Deed Poll can be used to change your name and your title free of charge, if you can get two witnesses together - however if you are only changing your title, there may be no need for this. | A Deed Poll can be used to change your name and your title free of charge, if you can get two witnesses together - however if you are only changing your title, there may be no need for this. | ||
The Deed Poll Service notes that “There's no need to follow any formal procedure (such as 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.” | The Deed Poll Service notes that “There's no need to follow any formal procedure (such as 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.” The The UK Deed Poll Bureau and the UK Deed Poll Service also offer the gender-inclusive title Mx.<ref>''[http://mxactivist.tumblr.com/mxevidence The Growing Use of Mx as a Gender-inclusive Title in the UK]'', captured August 2017. [https://web.archive.org/web/20211221025245/https://mxactivist.tumblr.com/mxevidence Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> <ref>[https://deedpoll.online/nonbinarytitledeedpoll] [https://deedpoll.online/nonbinarytitledeedpoll Non-Binary Gender Neutral Titles] - The UK Deed Poll Bureau Accessed 24 November 2025</ref> | ||
A Statutory Declaration of title change 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. | A Statutory Declaration of title change 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. | ||
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===De/Dᵉ=== | ===De/Dᵉ=== | ||
A proposed neutral title pronounced "done".<ref name="GenderJargon">{{cite web|url=https://gender-resource.tumblr.com/ | A proposed neutral title pronounced "done".<ref name="GenderJargon">{{cite web|url=https://gender-resource.tumblr.com/post/614501061766627328/gender-jargon-transgender-gnc-and-imoga-terms|title=Gender Jargon: Transgender, GNC and IMOGA Terms (April 2020)|date= 4 April 2020|access-date=11 June 2020|archive-url=http://archive.today/2021.12.11-011013/https://gender-resource.tumblr.com/post/614501061766627328/gender-jargon-transgender-gnc-and-imoga-terms|archive-date=11 December 2021|first=|last=Gent}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pronoun-archive.tumblr.com/post/183716297071/mrs-mistress-feminine-female-mr-master|title=pronoun-archive: Honorifics|date= 21 August 2018|access-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://archive.is/Lwl1G|archive-date=6 October 2024|last=arco-pluris|type=reblog}}</ref> | ||
===Div=== | ===Div=== | ||
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'''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Misc was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Misc was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Mst.=== | |||
'''How to use:''' Mst Smith; Mst Smith. | |||
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced "mist" (IPA: mɪst). | |||
A title that sounds simular to either 'Mister' or 'Miss' used by some non-binary people. | |||
===Mre=== | ===Mre=== | ||
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'''How to use:''' Msr Smith. | '''How to use:''' Msr Smith. | ||
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misser''.<ref name=":1">http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles [https://web.archive.org/web/20230612130812/https://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> | '''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced just like the Dutch feminine term ''misser'' .<ref name=":1">http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles [https://web.archive.org/web/20230612130812/https://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> | ||
'''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Msr was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Msr was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
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'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misstruhm'' (IPA: mɪstɹʌm) | '''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misstruhm'' (IPA: mɪstɹʌm) | ||
'''History and Meaning:''' From Latin's ''magister'', whence ''mister'' and ''mistress'', with the neuter ending -trum related to the suffix -ter, the masculine -tor, and the feminine -trix.<ref>'[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatstheword/comments/jhodsn/comment/ga18pey/ "WTW for a gender-neutral sir/ma'am"]', comment on Reddit post, 25 October 2020. [https://archive.ph/aPHMz Archive], captured 24 August 2022.</ref> However, top search results also point to ''mistrum'' in Early Middle English, where it meant ''scant'' or ''poor''. | '''History and Meaning:''' From Latin's ''magister'', whence ''mister'' and ''mistress'', with the neuter ending -trum related to the suffix -ter, the masculine -tor, and the feminine -trix.<ref>'[https://www.reddit.com/r/whatstheword/comments/jhodsn/comment/ga18pey/ "WTW for a gender-neutral sir/ma'am"]', comment on Reddit post, 25 October 2020. [https://archive.ph/aPHMz Archive], captured 24 August 2022.</ref> However, top search results also point to ''mistrum'' used as an adjective in Early Middle English, where it meant ''scant'' or ''poor''. | ||
===Mx=== | ===Mx=== | ||
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===Mv=== | ===Mv=== | ||
A proposed title specifically for addressing a [[maverique]] person.<ref name="GenderJargon" /> | A proposed title specifically for addressing a [[maverique]] person.<ref name="GenderJargon" /> | ||
===Mw/Mrw (Morrow)=== | |||
'''How to use:''' Morrow Smith; Mw Smith; Mrw Smith | |||
'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced as in "to-MORROW" | |||
'''History:''' First proposed by musician and book reviewer Castorstarr on July 14th 2021 on tiktok.[https://www.tiktok.com/@castorstarr/video/6984790942410738949] | |||
===Myr=== | ===Myr=== | ||
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'''Meaning:''' Short for "mystery". | '''Meaning:''' Short for "mystery". | ||
'''History:''' Coined by J-pop singer [[Utada | '''History:''' Coined by J-pop singer [[Hikaru Utada]], who would come out as non-binary a few days later, in a 2021 Instagram post.<ref>Utada, Hikaru (June 18, 2021). [https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQil30pg34/ "I'm sick of being asked if I'm 'Miss or Missus' or choosing between 'Miss/Mrs/Ms' for everyday things"]. [[Instagram]]. Retrieved on October 26, 2021. [https://web.archive.org/web/20220107230627/https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQil30pg34/ Archived] on 17 July 2023</ref> | ||
=== Mzr === | === Mzr === | ||
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'''History:''' The acronym came before the word "enby." | '''History:''' The acronym came before the word "enby." | ||
'''Rationale:''' There are many reasons a non-binary person may "come out" publicly. Some of us choose to do so in an effort to normalize gender diversity. The word "enby" was coined as a result of the pronunciation of the acronym "NB" for "non-binary," just like "okay" followed "OK." Like many other titles, such as "Mx." or "Ind.," this title serves as a mechanism to educate folks about the existence of a non-binary gender spectrum. It is natural to identify ourselves using the word which was coined for our sake. | '''Rationale:''' There are many reasons a non-binary person may "come out" publicly. Some of us choose to do so in an effort to normalize gender diversity. The word "enby" was coined as a result of the pronunciation of the acronym "NB" for "non-binary," just like "okay" followed "OK." Like many other titles, such as "Mx." or "Ind.," this title serves as a mechanism to educate folks about the existence of a non-binary gender spectrum. It is natural to identify ourselves using the word which was coined for our sake. Although, not every non-binary person uses "enby" to describe themselves so the words aren't interchangeable. | ||
'''Example:''' How was your day Nb. Hammond? | '''Example:''' How was your day Nb. Hammond? | ||