Not long ago, sharing pronouns in an email signature, zoom profile, or a social media bio was becoming a normal part of everyday life. Lately, that has started to shift. Some workplaces, institutions, and platforms have quietly removed pronouns or stepped back from encouraging people to share them. For many in our community, that change has been hard to watch.
But here is what has not changed: the people those pronouns belong to. Pronouns are simply the words we use to refer to someone when we are not using their name, and using the right ones is not a trend or a courtesy that can be turned off. It is a basic part of treating someone with respect.
Pronouns are not optional. You do not have to fully understand someone's identity to honor it. You only need to listen to how they describe themselves and follow their lead.
When fewer spaces ask the question, it means even more when you do. Sharing your own pronouns when you introduce yourself makes it easier for others to share theirs. If you make a mistake, a quick correction and a sincere "thanks for your patience" is all it takes. Moving forward matters more than a long apology.
Pronouns can also change as people learn more about themselves, and meeting that with openness is one of the simplest ways to show care.
With River, there will always be pronouns, even as others step back. A few small words, used with intention, still tell someone: I see you, and you belong here.
River allows you to log and update your pronouns at any time, recording the time period so that you can reflect upon how your gender identity has changed over time.