I'm not opposed to pronouns. I know they serve a purpose and are meant to promote inclusion--which I support. But I personally don't use them and take issue with corporations that make them mandatory.
Leaders have gone too far with making them mandatory. It's illogical and, in many cases, creates more division than inclusion.
The truth is pronouns aren't for everyone. They're for certain people. I've asked professionals why they use them, and the responses skew high on "my company requires them." Is that really inclusive? True inclusion would allow the individual to choose and do so safely without repercussions.
Here's my reason for not using pronouns: I have NEVER been mistaken for a man or any race other than Black. I'm very comfortable in my skin. I love being me. I love being a woman and have never felt otherwise. And for those reasons, pronouns are unnecessary for me. There's no hatred or malice behind my choice. But it is MY CHOICE.
However (and this is inclusion), I have NO IDEA what it feels like to be in a body that doesn't feel like it belongs to me. I honestly can't imagine what that feels like, so I will address a person however they want out of respect for them.
I won't debate what is or isn't, explain any further, or defend my choice. Nor do I expect someone else to. Why can't that be enough? Why do leaders think this is something that needs to be MANDATORY?
It's become toxic, angry, and divisive. Me choosing not to use pronouns is NOT a declaration of hate. That's a BS narrative, and we must stop buying this nonsense. True inclusion allows individuals to authentically express themselves and make decisions that align with their beliefs and values.
That's inclusion. If exclusion happens because of authenticity, inclusion was never there to begin with. if it doesn't align with who you are and what you believe, then say no to pronouns.