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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, 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 is quite a lot of people who would prefer to never be referred to with a title. In the | 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 is 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 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). | 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). | ||
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'''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> | '''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> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Ind was chosen by 3% respondents.<ref name="Census2018">''[https://gendercensus.com/post/183832246805/gender-census-2019-the-full-report-worldwide Gender Census 2019 - The Full Report (Worldwide)]'', April 2019</ref> | ||
===M=== | ===M=== | ||
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'''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] It can also be confused for a first initial. | '''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] It can also be confused for a first initial. | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, M was chosen by 0.2% of the respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Misc=== | ===Misc=== | ||
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Misc was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Mre=== | ===Mre=== | ||
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'''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> | '''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> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Mre was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Msr=== | ===Msr=== | ||
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'''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misser''.<ref>[http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles]</ref> | '''Pronunciation:''' Pronounced ''misser''.<ref>[http://genderqueeries.tumblr.com/titles]</ref> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Censys, Msr was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Mx=== | ===Mx=== | ||
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'''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. | '''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. | ||
'''Popularity:''' In the | '''Popularity:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Mx was chosen by 31.3% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> 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> | ||
===Myr=== | ===Myr=== | ||
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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> | 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> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Myr was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents. <ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Pr=== | ===Pr=== | ||
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'''Similar-looking titles:''' Pr. is also the title given to a Christian pastor.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor</ref> | '''Similar-looking titles:''' Pr. is also the title given to a Christian pastor.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pastor</ref> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Pr was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Sai=== | ===Sai=== | ||
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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. | 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. | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Sai was chosen by less than 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
===Ser=== | ===Ser=== | ||
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'''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 use 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> | '''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 use 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> | ||
'''Use:''' In the | '''Use:''' In the 2019 Gender Census, Ser was chosen by 0.1% of respondents.<ref name="Census2018"/> | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||