International Pronouns Day

International Pronouns Day is on Wednesday, October 15, as it does each year on the third Wednesday of October.

What Is International Pronouns Day?

Launched in 2018, International Pronouns Day is a grassroots awareness and education campaign that aims to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. 

At its core, the day highlights that using the pronouns a person identifies with is a matter of dignity and respect. It particularly affirms the experiences of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse people, for whom mispronunciation can be alienating or harmful.

Why Pronouns Matter

• Pronouns are not just grammatical tools; they are ways people have of expressing their identity.

• Using the correct pronouns contributes to inclusion, belonging, and respect.

• Research has shown that trans and nonbinary youth who have their pronouns respected by those around them report markedly better mental health outcomes. 

• When someone is misgendered intentionally or not it can feel invalidating, disrespectful, and emotionally burdensome. 

How People Observe It

Because the initiative is decentralised, celebrations and campaigns often look different depending on the community. Here are common ways people participate:

• Pronoun sharing: Encourage adding pronouns to email signatures, name badges, social media bios, meeting name tags, etc. 

• Workshops and panels: Host discussions about pronouns, gender identity, inclusive language, and best practices.

• Educational materials: Distribute guides, posters, infographics, or handouts explaining pronouns, how to ask, and what to do if you make a mistake.

• Social media campaigns: Use hashtags like #PronounsDay, #MyPronounsAre, or #ShareYourPronouns to spread awareness and stories.

• Organisational change: Some institutions use the day to reflect on internal policies, or example, ensuring that systems allow pronoun fields, offering training, and embedding inclusive practices into workflows. 

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Tips for Being an Ally (on Pronouns Day and Beyond)

• Normalise sharing your pronouns when you introduce yourself.

• Don’t assume pronouns based on appearance ask politely (e.g. “Which pronouns do you use?”).

• Correct yourself gracefully if you make a mistake and move on avoid interrupting or making it an ordeal.

• Respect people who don’t use pronouns or prefer to be addressed by name.

• Encourage inclusive language (e.g. using “they/them” as default in ambiguous cases, avoiding gendered assumptions in speech).

• Support marginalised voices by centering the experiences of trans, nonbinary, and multiply marginalised individuals in events and planning.

As we look forward to October 15, 2025, International Pronouns Day is an opportunity not just for a one-day observance, but to cultivate ongoing respect for the diverse identities we all carry. It reminds us that small, thoughtful actions-listening, asking, learning, correcting can go a long way toward creating more welcoming and affirming spaces for everyone.

To find out more visit https://pronouns.org/