Gender Pronouns and Why They Matter

There’s more discussion than ever about gender pronouns, especially as more trans and non-binary people are living openly.

Around 4 in 10 adults in the U.S. say there should be more than two gender options, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The same number of Americans—around 4 in 10—say society is not accepting enough of people who do not identify as a man or a woman.

But things are changing. As of 2019, at least seven states have started offering a third option on driver’s licenses, birth certificates, or other documents.

Popular social media platforms have also started offering freeform gender options. And schools, companies, and other organizations are increasingly adding gender pronouns in email signatures.

Many companies now begin meetings by having people state their name and preferred gender pronouns with the goal of creating a more inclusive environment.

The team at Matador Meggings celebrates people of all gender identities and expressions. We don’t just sell the world’s most awesome compression leggings, we’re also committed to creating a supportive community focused on fitness, authenticity, and camaraderie.

Keep reading to learn why respecting someone’s preferred gender pronouns is so important.

What’s a Pronoun?

Odds are you haven’t studied grammar since elementary school, so let’s do a quick review.

Pronouns are used in place of a proper noun. Mostly we use them when referring to someone without using their name.

Example: “Isn’t Sam back from the store yet? He left a long time ago.” In this case, he is the pronoun.

Why Do Pronouns Matter?

There’s no way to know which pronouns a person prefers simply by looking at them. Being called by the wrong pronoun can make a person feel disrespected, invalidated, or alienated. This has real-world consequences.

One study found that transgender youth who are free to use their chosen name and pronouns at home and in public spaces have a lower risk of depression and suicide.

people wearing sweaters with their gender pronouns

It’s not hard to see how refusing to identify someone in the way they prefer is disrespectful. Imagine that your legal name is Trevor, but all your life your family and friends have called you by your preferred nickname, Trey.

Then one day you mention to a friend that your legal name is Trevor. Against your wishes, your friend insists on calling you Trevor from that day on. It’s safe to say none of us would like that.

Common Terms

Sometimes the gender pronoun a person uses doesn’t match your expectations or society’s. But honoring their preferred gender pronouns is part of showing respect.

Here are some common terms the LGBTQ+ community uses to describe gender experience and identity. Don’t make the mistake of assuming how a person identifies with any particular term. It’s always best to ask and listen with an open mind about a person’s preferences.

Sex: Sex is an assigned label (male, female, or intersex) based on the genitals a person is born with and their chromosomes. A person’s given sex does not necessarily match their gender identity.

Gender: Gender is complex. It refers to socially constructed expectations about how the two assigned sexes (male and female) should think, dress, and behave.

Gender identity: This is how a person feels inside about their gender and how they choose to present themselves through clothing, behavior, and personal appearance. Research shows that a person’s gender identity begins early in life.

Cisgender: This term means a person’s gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth.

Transgender: A trans person is someone whose gender is different from their assigned sex at birth.

Non-binary: Non-binary is a spectrum of gender identities. A non-binary person doesn’t identify as exclusively male or exclusively female. They may feel like a mix of genders or like they have no gender at all. “Genderqueer” is often used interchangeably with non-binary.

Genderfluid: This term applies to a person whose gender identity changes over time or changes at different times.

Gender nonconforming: This refers to how a person chooses to express their gender identity. For example, a person may identify as female but like to wear men’s suits.

Sexual Orientation: Not to be confused with gender identity, sexual orientation refers to emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people, whether of the same gender, different gender, or multiple genders.

GENDER PRONOUN CHART
PRONOUNS	PRONUNCIATION	SUBJECT	OBJECT
he-him-his-himself	hee, him, his, himself	He went to the beach.	I gave it to him.
she-her-her-herself	shee, hur, hur, hurself	She went to the beach.	I gave it to her.
ze-hir-hir-hirself	zee, heer, heer, heerself	Ze went to the beach	I gave it to hir.
ze-zem-zir-zirself	zee, zem, zeer, zeerself	Ze went to the beach	I gave it to zem.
they-them-their-themselves	they, them, thair, themselves	They went to the beach.	I gave it to them.
ey-em-eir-emself	ey, em, air, emself	Ey went to the beach.	I gave it to em.
xe-xem-xyrs-xyrself	zee, zem, zeers, zeerself	Xe went to the beach.	I gave it to xem.
per-per-pers-perself	pur, pur, purs, purself	Per went to the beach.	I gave it to per.
name, no pronoun		Sofia went to the beach.	I gave it to Sofia.

What If I Make a Mistake?

If you accidentally use the wrong pronoun for someone, the best thing to do is correct yourself on the spot with a simple, “Sorry, I meant (insert correct pronoun).”

If you realize your mistake after the fact, apologize in private and move on. And of course, use the correct pronoun next time.

Avoid going on about how badly you feel and how hard it is for you to remember. This could just end up making the other person feel awkward and responsible for comforting you.

Taking the time to practice and use someone’s preferred gender pronouns can go a long way in creating a more diverse and inclusive world.

Why Are Matador Meggings a Gendered Product?

There’s a reason that we say “meggings” instead of “leggings” when discussing our unique athletic apparel. Matador Meggings are designed specifically for the male anatomy and male genitalia. We’re talking purely anatomy (aka sex at birth) here, nothing to do with gender identity. With a soft-molded crotch cup that conceals the outline of your genitals and gives you a perfectly-rounded superhero crotch, you’ll feel confident, modest, and secure.

So only men with penises can wear Matador Meggings? No, absolutely not, Matador Meggings, is for everybody! Anyone who needs a little extra room down there or anyone who is interested in the benefits of the crotch cup. We have a large trans men client base as they love having the additional room and the modesty pad to insert their packer. Your gender at birth and gender identity are completely different things. We have no say in your gender identity or preferred pronouns. We just cater to your gender at birth as well as the gender you want to appear as or transition into.

About Matador Meggings

Matador Meggings is a one-of-a-kind athleisure fashion company that will change the way you think about men’s leggings. You can boost your workout, and look good while doing it. Our meggings are designed specifically to support and flatter the male body, including a removable molded crotch insert. With moisture-wicking performance fabric, pockets, and an attached loop for a towel or shirt, these leggings will greatly improve your exercise routine. Try Matador Meggings today to become a part of our supportive fitness community.