In a huge win for the LGBTQI, trans and genderfluid communities, Merriam-Webster has officially added nonbinary pronouns ‘they’ and ‘themself’ to the dictionary. YASSSSS.
[jwplayer 6XogZSI8]
The nonbinary pronoun ‘they’ has been added to the dictionary. https://t.co/tadl1VdfB0
— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) September 17, 2019
‘They’ is now officially a singular pronoun by definition. ‘They’, the definition now reads, can be “used to refer to a single person whose gender identity is nonbinary.”
Merriam-Webster’s definition for pronoun ‘themself’ reads “now used chiefly in place of “himself or herself” as a gender-neutral reflexive form of they when the reference is to a single person.”
Language and correct pronouns are so bloody important – what an incredible step forward in advocating for the legitimate identities of trans and gender non-conforming folk in mainstream society.
It’s also a huge L for ignorant transphobes who argue that ‘they’ – as a singular pronouns – and ‘themself’ are both grammatically incorrect. Read it and weep now, losers.
This news comes just days after Sam Smith officially announced that they’d changed their pronouns to they/them.
“I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try,” they tweeted. “I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you.”
What a glorious day.
