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Sam Smith comes out as non-binary (see staff post for discussion guidelines)
- Thread starter Khaos Prime
- Start date
Me neither, but if he feels better that way we should appreciate and respect it, right?
Have you tried googling what non-binary is? It's not everybody else's job to help you although people would be glad to clear up any questions you have after doing your due diligence first.
Jonathan Van Ness is also non-binary too so it's awesome to see these positive queer non-binary role models out there for people who feel their gender is somewhere in between a man and a woman, or both, or neither.
Sam Smith doesn't want to be identified as a particular gender. Hence, Sam ("they") wants to be treated as someone without specific (or at least male/female) gender, pronouns being a primary indicator of gender in conversation.
As to why? That's pretty complex. I don't get it, either. But it's what some people choose to do.
Apropos of nothing but but I love it when people type it as enby.
they
they
they
they
It's times like these that I wish the English language had a gender neutral singular pronoun. It's the same issue as dealing with a generic person such as "every person for himself/herself/themselves." Even disregarding the existence of non-binary people, it's crazy that we never came up with a pronoun for people if we don't know their gender ahead of time.
It'd be helpful, but in the scheme of things one doesn't have to be technically grammatically correct to just use someone's preferred pronoun so it shouldn't really matter.
It's kind of problematic in my simultaneously translating brain. But sure. They.
They is translated to "Sie (plural)" exactly like She which is also "Sie (singular)". I currently don't know what is the currently right terminology none binary in my language.
good on sam, i hope they help others understand and feel they can be truthful to themselves without fear or prejudice.
We need to come up with a different pronoun for non-binary.
They/them does not translate well to a singular person. Instead of repurposing a word, which will never sound normal to me in conversation, but does work well in writing.
They/them does not translate well to a singular person. Instead of repurposing a word, which will never sound normal to me in conversation, but does work well in writing.
I've personally never heard of Sam Smith before today, but always glad that more people are able to feel comfortable being who they feel they are. It's not an easy thing to come to grips with, and they managed it over a decade younger than me.
Technically, "it" is a gender neutral pronoun. Unfortunately, there's a negative connotation with "it" and it sounds dehumanising. I do wonder why we can't just invest a new word? It's not like the English language has stopped it's development.
Regarding, Sam, I'm glad we live in a day and age where they feel comfortable sharing their preferred pronouns. Sam's revelation will also bring some mainstream attention to gender identity and will hopefully help some other folks publicly embrace their preferred gender identity.
I've caught bits of YT vids my GF watches (she's a huge SS fan) from time to time and recently Sam talked a lot about opening up and being honest with themself. The first thing was getting themself confident enough to dance on camera for a music video, after years of feeling uncomfortable with their body. This announcement today seems another positive move for them living their truth, so I'm happy for them.
We've already tried and some still do identify with neo-pronouns but it seems like most people have settled on they/them for non binary pronouns and as such we should respect that.
The polite thing to do, would be to explain it to them so people understand. It helps people get a grasp of what it all actually means and helps encourage support for this.
So it's proper to use them/they to address the person then? I've never encountered a non-binart individual irl so I'm glad I got a TIL on that
The polite thing to do is to take some time to research a subject if you don't understand. Not assume you're owed an explaination.
I feel like we need a different term for non-binary. They then is a plural, while she or he is singular. I respect them wishes and will call them they or them all the same.
I agree with that and would of course use they/them as requested. Still, it just feels like a grammatical failure to not account for such a thing.
Yeah that's why I wouldn't suggest "it". "It" should be used for non-human (and ideally non-sentient) life.
how can you say you respect someone's pronouns while simultaneously misgendering them?
People tried. Xe and ze, to be specific, but they/them caught on instead.
I am on the same boat. It can get very confusing with singulars and plurals. Of course, I have no issue with respecting that decision but given the myriad words that get added to the english oxford dictionary year after year, it feels like that they could at least add specific pronouns for gender neutral folks.
Non-sentient? Animals can definitely be called "it". Do you mean non-sapient?
Going to post this again, this time with quotes. Feel free to point anyone who still insists on another word instead of they...
There is 600 years of history of They being used as both singular and plural, with it being only plural being a much more modern construct. People tried to create new gender-neutral pronouns and everyone at large took offense. So, if no one wants to use a new set of pronouns, but doesn't want the non-binary crew to use "they/them"... what's left? Oh yeah, being pidgeon holed back into their "proper" pronouns... *sigh*
There is 600 years of history of They being used as both singular and plural, with it being only plural being a much more modern construct. People tried to create new gender-neutral pronouns and everyone at large took offense. So, if no one wants to use a new set of pronouns, but doesn't want the non-binary crew to use "they/them"... what's left? Oh yeah, being pidgeon holed back into their "proper" pronouns... *sigh*
That's not really a hard and fast rule as nonbinary people have different preferences, but the OP is directly stating that Sam Smith's pronouns are they/them, so yes, that is proper to use here.
I'm certain youve used "they" in the singular form countless times in your life. It works in the singular, you just arent used to using it consciously.