31 May 2017

What's Your PGP?

Richard Fienberg

Richard Fienberg Running Hare Observatory

In 2016 the AAS Council endorsed the vision statement developed following the Inclusive Astronomy (IA) meeting, convened in 2015 to define recommendations and actions that will make the astronomical community more diverse and inclusive. The Council also upgraded the Working Group on LGBT Equality (WGLE) to the Committee for Sexual-Orientation & Gender Minorities in Astronomy (SGMA).

Participants at IA 2015 were given the opportunity to write their preferred gender pronouns (PGPs) on their badges. At SGMA’s request, and in the spirit of the IA vision statement, the AAS has decided to provide this same opportunity to attendees at our summer and winter meetings starting with the 230th AAS meeting in Austin, Texas.

What’s Your PGP?

Preferred gender pronouns (PGPs) are the pronouns that people choose to use for themselves. While it’s perfectly fine and respectful to ask, "What are your preferred pronouns," to make it easier for everyone, stickers with preferred pronouns will be provided at AAS meetings for attendees to affix to their badges.

If all attendees wear a sticker, then no one will feel singled out for doing so, and we’ll all be helping to increase awareness of this subtle language bias. While you are scanning someone’s badge to learn or remember their name, take an extra second to learn or remember their pronouns, too.

Why Is This important?

You can’t always tell a person’s PGP by looking at them. Correctly using someone’s PGP is one of the most basic ways to show your respect.

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Thank you!

— Rick Fienberg, AAS Press Officer
     Van Dixon, Chair, Committee for Sexual-Orientation & Gender Minorities in Astronomy (SGMA)