Quote:
Originally Posted by RichardCoulter
Listened to a programme about this subject yesterday and it was said that, as the two terms mean different things, it's possible to change ones gender, but not sex.
Can anyone explain this to me?
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Biological sex cannot be changed. 'Gender', for lack of a better word, is more akin to being an opinion.
Within reason (for exactly the kind of reason Chris gives above), there is no harm in using a descriptive word that someone would like you to use when describing them.
Today I found out that one of the people on my team, who has all the outward looks, mannerisms, speech nuances, etc of a woman, identifies as non-binary and prefers (not asks or demands) to be referred to as they/them. I'm happy to accommodate that, I even went as far as offering an apology-of-sorts for previously saying her, she etc. I was, of course, told no such apology was necessary as it wasn't something I previously knew about. They aren't any type of activist, doesn't get pissy if people continue to use she/her and is pretty much a laid-back and well-liked member of the team.