Supporting the Wellbeing of All Identities on International Pronouns and Intersex Awareness Days
October is a significant month for promoting gender understanding and inclusivity within our community.
Historically, gender identity and sex-based characteristics have been viewed as binary, ie. male or female. This is despite many people identifying with a gender identity different from their assigned sex at birth, or as intersex, a combination of both male and female physical sex characteristics.
Surprisingly perhaps, we don’t know exactly how many rainbow people we have in Australia, due to the absence of data collection.
You may recall the recent furore when The Australian Government decided to depart from The Australian Bureau of Statistics' recommendation to capture the identities of Australia’s non-binary and LGBTQIA+ people in the next Australian 2026 census.
It was deeply concerning for the community and their allies, bringing back past trauma associated with the 2021 census, which had also failed to properly capture the community’s identity.
After a successful human rights complaint brought by Equality Australia and rainbow parent, April Long, it was seen as more than just a broken promise by a government previously perceived to be supportive of our rainbow communities. It was also a statement which cut to the core of human dignity, ie. being recognised by society.
"The 2026 Census will finally ensure that every gay, lesbian, non-binary, and transgender person is counted. This isn’t just a number—it’s about our lives, our families, and our experiences being acknowledged.”
April Long
It was about significantly more, however, than a symbolic matter, as census data is used by government departments and other organisations, to forecast the provision of services as fundamental as health and education.
Supporting Understanding and Inclusivity
Many people don’t understand the wealth of identities associated with the rainbow spectrum. Understanding the differences between these identities is an important place to start in respecting and including our LGBTQIA+ communities.
Cisgender describes people whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth;
Gender Non-Binary people may not identify solely - or at all - with being male or female;
Gender Non-Conforming describes people whose behaviour or appearance does not conform to cultural expectations about gender;
Transgender people don’t have a gender identity that aligns with their sex at birth;
Gender Fluid people do not identify as having a single, unchanging gender, and
Intersex people have physical sex characteristics, which do not fit typical binary notions of male or female bodies.
The Respectful Use of Pronouns
Using someone’s preferred pronouns is a simple, yet powerful way to show respect.
Misgendering, or using incorrect pronouns, can be hurtful and invalidating for people, particularly those who have had to strive for recognition as our rainbow community has.
A Transgender woman may use "she/her" pronouns, while a transgender man may use "he/him." Some may prefer "they/them" or neopronouns like "ze/hir”.
Intersex individuals may choose pronouns based on their personal gender identity, which can be male, female, non-binary, or another identity.
By using the pronouns individuals identify with, we recognise and respect an individual’s identity, which has a positive impact on their dignity, sense of self, and wellbeing.
The Wellbeing and Belonging of Minority Identities
Monash University
When to Use He, She, or They
He/Him: For someone who identifies as male.
She/Her: For someone who identifies as female.
They/Them: For someone who identifies as non-binary, genderqueer, or prefers not to be identified strictly as male or female.
Supporting Gender Understanding and Inclusion
The aim of gender awareness days is to make respecting, sharing, and educating people about gender identity and personal pronouns commonplace.
I LEAD Consulting suggests you:
1. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about gender diversity and share your knowledge.
2. Ask and Listen: Share your pronouns and respectfully ask for pronouns when meeting someone new.
3. Practice: Use pronouns in sentences to make them natural and commonplace.
4. Correct Mistakes: Apologise briefly, correct yourself, and move on.
5. Promote Inclusivity: Support policies that promote the rights and dignity of non-binary, transgender, and intersex individuals.
6. Listen and Amplify Voices: Listen to and amplify the voices of non-binary, transgender, and intersex people.
Call to Action
By asking for and using someone’s preferred pronouns, we create a safer and more inclusive and supportive environment for everyone.
International Pronouns and Intersex Awareness Days remind us of the importance of respect and inclusivity.
Let's educate ourselves, support each other, and celebrate diversity and inclusion, for all identities and intersectionalities.
At I LEAD Consulting we’re on a mission to bring us together and simplify Diversity and Inclusion for Leaders and Teams.