INTERNATIONAL PRONOUNS DAY & SPIRIT DAY 2019 are this week!
International Pronouns Day
Second Annual Observance: October 16, 2019
International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Referring to people by the pronouns they determine for themselves is basic to human dignity, but many transgender and gender nonconforming people are regularly called by the wrong pronouns, which causes erasure and marginalization.
International Pronouns Day occurs on the third Wednesday of October each year, and in 2019 is scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, 2019. The College of Charleston has officially endorsed International Pronouns Day, joining hundreds of groups around the world, including groups based in Australia, Canada, Italy, the Netherlands, Rwanda, Singapore, the UK, the USA, and individual registrants in a variety of additional locations such as Denmark, Hong Kong, and Mexico. The full list of endorsers is online at:
https://pronounsday.org/endorsers
To recognize International Pronouns Day, WGS, MSPS, GSEC, Out Front, Prism and our local LGBTQ+ youth organization, We Are Family, will be conducting outreach on Cougar Mall, and hosting educational events on Wednesday and Thursday of this week (see info below!).
Show your support by posting online using the #PronounsDay hashtag, encouraging create supportive institutional policies and practices, and creating awareness on our campus and in the Charleston community. “Trans and gender nonconforming people, especially Black folks and those perceived to be feminine, are often harmed by many forms of interpersonal and systemic violence. An action as small as respecting names and pronouns can begin a conversation about justice and about creating the workplaces, educational environments, and communities where we all thrive,” said Shige Sakurai (they), the campaign’s founder and the creator of the educational MyPronouns.org website. “For me, it’s a spiritual undertaking, and it’s about wellbeing. We have to end assumptions and erasure and the harm they create.”
“Intersecting forms of oppression deeply impact transgender communities. These actions are part of the larger work of creating and sustaining inclusive and supportive communities for everyone,” said Luca Maurer (he), a campaign Executive Board member, about this observance.
October 16 – International Pronouns Day! – Tabling & “Flash Fashion Shows” in Cougar Mall and Maybank
Join GSEC, We are Family, Prism, MSPS, and WGS as we table for International Pronouns Day! Stop by and learn more about the College’s commitment to the International Pronouns Day initiative and pick up free swag, including awesome pronoun buttons to wear!
October 17 – Spirit Day 2019 – Phluid Project & Youth Panel – 5:00-7:00pm, Stern Ballroom
Join GSEC, We are Family, Prism, MSPS, and WGS for an event for GLAAD’s Spirit Day celebration! Wear purple to show solidarity with anti-bullying towards LGBTQ+ youth and enjoy a panel guest hosted by Preston Souza and Alex O’Hanley from the Phluid Project and a special fashion show performance.