The recent Forward SG Exercise highlighted that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) are important concerns for Singaporeans. As DEI principles gain traction, so too has the Preferred Gender Pronouns Movement (the “Movement”) in the workplace, with DEI manager being the second-fastest-growing job title.
The enquiry and usage of gender pronouns in bios, email signatures, titles, and conversations have become increasingly common. Gender pronouns include “he/him”, “she/her, “they/them”, as well as a non-exhaustive list of tailored “neo-pronouns” like “ze/zir” and “ne/nim/nir”, among others.
How should one think about the neo-religious pronoun ritual: “Hi, my pronouns are ___? What are yours?”, or forms requesting preferred pronouns? Should one share one’s pronouns or resist this practice?. We explore this in a two-part series.
This article argues that the Movement, masquerading as DEI, manipulates language and exerts social pressures to advance a controversial, unsettled and politicised ideology of sexuality and gender. By redefining hate speech and mandating ‘inclusive’ language, it prioritises the listener’s freedom from offence over the speaker’s freedom of conscience.
This covertly dominates culture and marginalises those with differing beliefs. Participation in the Movement’s pronoun ritual is problematic because it tacitly affirms, legitimises, and advances its radical worldview. Ultimately, leading to real-world consequences on children’s health, women’s rights, and freedom of conscience.
