Adding he/him or she/her to an email signature.

Brian Marwood

Well-known member
I'm seeing this more and more these days and I thought it was to ensure that someone could guarantee that their gender was being correctly assumed if they had an amiguous name like Alex for example but I received an email from someone called Tom today with he/him added so what is it all about?
 
I'm seeing this more and more these days and I thought it was to ensure that someone could guarantee that they're gender was being correctly assumed if they had an amiguous name like Alex for example but I received an email from someone called Tom today with he/him added so what is it all about?
Its just people being absolutely clear about how they identify. Technically a Tom could identify as she/her.
 
Tom could also identify as they/them or any number of combinations. It’s not my cup of tea but it’s definitely gaining traction. You can add it to LinkedIn, and you can add it to twitch streams and there was a story that government are going to let people select their gender recently.
 
Leaves people in no doubt as to how you like to be referred to. I'm not fussed either way tbh, but have absolutely no issue with people who make a point of stating their preference.
 
I work in construction, I bet it will be a while before that catches on in my industry, which is in the dark ages when it comes to people being politically correct, or sexually/ racially inclusive, never mind getting on to gender stereotyping. Although saying that, those that deal a lot over e-mails (like me) are a lot more "current" and a whole different ball game to those on-site grafting, especially the old guys, they're in a different world.

I don't get the "them/ they" bit mind, I'm not sure how that can apply to one person, but each to their own. I would just call them by name in that instance I think.
 
I'm just going to leave mine exactly as it is - Until people are outraged by my lack of support and then I'll change it to HIM
 
I think it also shows a small slice of solidarity/empathy with people who are transgender, even if its just acknowledging their existence.

My understanding is this is exactly the point of it. I.e. if everyone specifies how they'd like to be referred to then those who do need to specify don't feel singled out.

I personally don't in my email signature, but its more a "can't be arsed" reason than anything else.

Maybe I should on reflection. If it helps a minority (however small that minority is) feel more comfortable, then it's no skin off my nose.
 
My understanding is this is exactly the point of it. I.e. if everyone specifies how they'd like to be referred to then those who do need to specify don't feel singled out.

I personally don't in my email signature, but its more a "can't be arsed" reason than anything else.

Maybe I should on reflection. If it helps a minority (however small that minority is) feel more comfortable, then it's no skin off my nose.
I've just got "Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo marxism" beneath my name and telephone details
 
My son id trans, he was born a girl and transitioned at the age of 11.
To see him now at 22, he has a big bushy beard and a masculine name.
There is no doubt that he identifies as male and everyone seems to accept him.
However there are occasions when it is difficult, for example sport, at school he had to compete with the girls.
Using public toilets, poor sod has to use the sit downs. If the campaigners insist that you have to go into their birth gender toilets, then the ladies will get a shock when he goes in there.

There are plenty of people who you cant define their gender and the signature works better in their situations.
 
I work in a big city with a massive mix of cultures and from a practical perspective there's so many names that are not clearly able to be assigned to a particular sex which can be really tricky when you're just trying to do basic tasks. Had a stinker with a Welsh name last week refering to a bloke as 'Her'

I think its a good idea to do it for solidarity. I don't currently tbf but will do
 
Do you think you will be forced to add this on your email signature before long at some companies/organisations or is it just down to personal choice ?
 
Do you think you will be forced to add this on your email signature before long at some companies/organisations or is it just down to personal choice ?

I don't see why you'd ever be forced to. Presume your work doesn't force you to add Mr/Mrs to your signature on emails now?
 
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