PRIDE encourages conversation about pronouns in campus event

LGBTQA support organization called PRIDE hosted an event to raise awareness for prefered pronouns at noon Feb. 22 at the graffiti wall between Scully and Brandt Hall.

PRIDE is a Southeast Missouri State University organization that supports, advocates, and educates people on the LGBTQA community.

On Wednesday, PRIDE promoted the importance of prefered pronouns with an event called Ask Me About My Pronouns. According to the organization, some important details to remember are to not assume a person’s gender based on the way they look, avoid asking a transgender person for their “real name” and to not make assumptions about a transgender person’s sexual orientation.

“I think this is just one extra step to tell someone who is trans that they are welcomed and they can be who they want to be and who they are,” said Southeast senior and PRIDE member Rane Belling.

PRIDE let Southeast students and faculty get involved by encouraging them to print their painted hands on the graffiti wall between Scully and Brandt Hall. Under the handprints, the person would put their preferred pronoun.

“I thought this was an awesome idea to be able to just stamp your pledge and put it out to the world that you support it,” Belling said.

Southeast freshman Jared Eads also educated the community on the important use of pronouns. According to Eads, there are more gender pronouns than he/him and she/her. They/them and ze/zen are examples of gender-neutral pronouns.

The graffiti board grabbed the attention of passerby sophomore Ashley Scheffer.

“I think pronouns are something that aren’t necessarily thought of, like it’s not on everybody’s mind,” Scheffer said. “I think this is a good way to illustrate just how diverse people are.”

Ask Me About My Pronouns received nearly 60 handprints on their panel of the graffiti wall. For those interested in the organization, they are open to all students who may be seeking advice, support or just information. PRIDE meets at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Center for Student Involvement to talk about different LGBT related topics and provide support for one another.