DAISA Statement on OUR
​use of pronouns 2020

One of DAISA’s core commitments is creating a diverse and inclusive environment. As both a service provider and employer, we not only want people to be comfortable being themselves, but also to be celebrated for their identities and what makes them unique. In addition, we aim to build a culture wherein we don’t make assumptions about identity or gender, and we actively seek to challenge norms around the binary usage of gender pronouns.  

For most, their singular and visible gender identity is a privilege. Not everybody has this privilege as sometimes a person’s gender or gender identity doesn’t align with how they are perceived by others. Those that are referred to with the wrong gender pronoun can feel disrespected, invalidated, and alienated.  

DAISA is seeking to establish mechanisms to acknowledge and support individuals' self-identification in all the spaces in which we work and gather partners, proactively creating safer conversations and environments. We are committed to sharing our gender pronouns publicly in email signature lines, business cards, conference nametags, and website bios and we are working diligently to implement these changes. In our in-person and virtual work with clients and community stakeholders, we are setting the expectation that gender pronouns be an integral part of introductions. We will continually look for ways to increase our own understanding and inclusivity, as well as encouraging all others to do the same.

To delve deeper into the complexity of gender identity and expression and the usage of gender pronouns, we offer a few resources:
MyPronouns.org
Duke University Gender Pronouns Resource Guide
TransWhat? A Guide to Allyship
Understanding Gender
Why be nonbinary? 

DAISA is grateful for the guidance provided by Kelsey Smoot on drafting the above statement. We also drew from this Culture Amp blog post by Alexis Croswell.