University of Pittsburgh issues inclusive guide

PITTSBURGH — Students and staff at the University of Pittsburgh are being encouraged to share their pronouns and the pronunciation of their names among other recommendations in a new voluntary guide on gender-inclusive language.

A Pittsburgh newspaper reported Thursday that the guide also includes examples of how to use nongendered pronouns like “they” and “ze,” and has suggestions for using nongendered language in the classroom.

For example, instead of using “ladies and gentlemen,” people at the university could use “colleagues, guests, all, yinz, friends, people, students, folks.”

“To avoid unintentionally creating a sexist and homophobic classroom environment, during discussions do not limit yourself to male examples or heterosexual examples,” the guide reads. “Teachers can and should honor the breadth of experience and potential in students’ lives by discussing women, gender non-conforming, and LGBT-identified people.”

The guide encourages all students to share their pronouns in class and on virtual platforms that the university uses.