Contextualizing personal pronoun use in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community: They, she, and he.

There is a significant rise in public discourse related to use of personal pronouns, especially when different from pronouns assigned at birth or gender-neutral pronouns; however, there is little empirical exploration of contextual factors influencing how individuals experience stating and sharing pronouns in different situations.In the current exploratory online survey (N 5 301) of participants aged 23 and over (M 5 36.0,SD 5 10.2), recruited from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, results suggest pronouns fit well for most participants, especially those using binary (she or he) versus gender-neutral (they) pronouns.Participants using pronouns different than assigned at birth (Affirmed She/He; n 5 68) or they (Theyþ; n 5 171) experienced more negative emotions when stating pronouns compared with those who use pronouns assigned at birth (Assigned He/She; n 5 62).Participants using Theyþ pronouns were least likely to have correct pronouns used by others and least comfortable sharing their pronouns or correcting others using the wrong pronouns.Participants using Affirmed She/He pronouns also made active decisions about pronoun sharing.Theyþ and Affirmed She/He groups were more likely to report being hypervigilant, a form of minority stress, around people perceived as conservative or religious.This study provides a more nuanced understanding of contextual factors impacting feelings of safety and expressions of gender identity using personal pronouns.Implications include suggestions for understanding decision-making processes for stating pronouns and reducing distress, particularly for individuals who use affirmed or gender-neutral pronouns. Public Significance StatementThere is much public discourse related to personal pronoun use, particularly for those who use pronouns different from those assigned at birth or who use they pronouns.Many factors influence pronoun use, including assessments of safety by people who identify with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other community.In general, participants in our sample felt their pronouns "fit well"; however, people who use they exclusively or in combination with she or he pronouns are less likely to have their correct pronouns used and feel less safe sharing their pronouns.Those who use pronouns different than pronouns assigned at birth are more hypervigilant around individuals whom they perceive to be conservative or religious.