Pronouns 101
Pronouns are what other people use to refer to you. You can use whatever pronouns feel right no matter your gender identity or gender expression. You can be nonbinary and not use they/them pronouns, you can identify as a girl but choose to use a combination of she and they pronouns, or you can use any and all pronouns (which is commonly written as any/all).
Gender neutral pronouns are pronouns that do not associate a gender with the individual being discussed. People push against using gender neutral pronouns—it can be a point of contention in academic and social settings alike. However, regardless of the reason, disrespecting the way a person wants to be addressed is the product of ignorance and bigotry.
Gender is complex. At the end of the day, you define who are and should be allowed to communicate that to others. Your gender identity can change. Your pronouns can change—it can even be a form of experimentation. No matter what, any gender identity and pronouns you communicate to others should be respected.
To start thinking about pronouns you might want to use, below is a chart of commonly used ones, both gendered and gender neutral, as well as examples of usage. This chart does not contain every pronoun and is missing the abundance of gender neutral pronouns in other languages, but hopefully it inspires you to further explore and experiment!
Usages:
They were going to the store, but they forgot their wallet. Can you give it to them when they get back?
She was going to the store, but she forgot her wallet. Can you give it to her when she comes back?
He was going to the store, but he forgot his wallet. Can you give it to him when he comes back?
Ze (pronounced zee) was going to the store, but ze forgot zer (pronounced zur) wallet. Can you give it to zer when ze comes back?
Sie (pronounced see) was going to the store, but sie forgot hir (pronounced here) wallet. Can you give it to hir when sie comes back?
Xe (pronounced zee) was going to the store, but xe forgot xir (pronounced zeer) wallet. Can you give it to xem (pronounced zem) when xe comes back?
Fae (pronounced fay) was going to the store, but fae forgot faer (pronounced fair) wallet. Can you give it to faer when fae comes back?