There is a non-binary person I work with who uses they/them pronouns. Their pronouns are in their email signature and the only time I’ve heard someone not use them was one person who had previously worked with them at a time they used different pronouns, and he immediately corrected himself mid-sentence, looked embarrassed, and proceeded. I’ve never heard him or anyone else not use their pronouns again, and my workplace runs the gamut from eighty-year-olds to twenty-year-olds. No one ever discusses their pronouns or anything about their identity behind their back unless it’s to choose a bar or restaurant to hang out (in non-pandemic times) and say “no, we can’t go there, that place doesn’t have a gender neutral restroom for them”. They have been married to a delightful person for ten years and (in non-pandemic times) she would often join for social activities. They have a toddler who is the cutest thing on this earth. They’re an absolutely brilliant engineer and I have learned a great deal from them as they’re much more experienced than I am, and I appreciate how patient they’ve been when I’ve made mistakes. Again, positivity and respect exists and you deserve it every bit as much as these people. Don’t ever forget it.
