“Writers should always use the singular ”they” to refer to a person who uses “they” as their pronoun… Also, use “they” as a generic third person singular pronoun to refer to a person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant to the context of the usage.”

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2020, p. 120)

The American Psychological Association (APA) introduced guidelines for using gender-inclusive language in scholarly writing in April 2023. These guidelines are part of a continuous effort to promote fair, accurate, and respectful language for all individuals. The APA’s gender-inclusive writing guidelines in English aim to foster equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) by eliminating harmful stereotypes and biases that can perpetuate gender inequality.

1. Use Inclusive and Bias-Free Language:
   1. The APA emphasizes the importance of using language that is free of bias, particularly regarding gender.
   1. This means avoiding language that is sexist or which unnecessarily emphasizes gender.
2. Gender Pronouns:
   1. Use pronouns that are appropriate for the person being discussed, and be respectful of a person’s chosen pronouns.
   1. If a person’s pronouns are not known, use their name or rephrase the sentence to be plural or non-gendered. Another option is the singular “they,” which is accepted as a gender-neutral pronoun.
3. Avoid Gendered Terms and Stereotypes:
   1. Replace gendered terms with non-gendered or inclusive alternatives. For example, use “workforce” instead of “manpower,” “humankind” instead of “mankind,” and “chairperson” or “chair” instead of “chairman.”
   1. Avoid perpetuating gender stereotypes in your writing.
4. Titles and Job Descriptions:
   1. When referring to job titles or roles, use gender-neutral terms. For example, “firefighter” instead of “fireman,” “police officer” instead of “policeman/woman.”
5. Referring to Participants in Research:
   1. When discussing participants in your research, be specific about the gender demographics if it’s relevant to the study.
   1. Use terms that participants use to describe themselves.
6. Use of ‘Sex’ and ‘Gender’:
   1. Be clear about the difference between ‘sex’ (biological attributes) and ‘gender’ (culturally constructed roles, behaviors, expressions, and identities).
   1. Use the term that is most appropriate for what you are discussing.
7. Examples:
   1. Avoid: “Each doctor should review his patient records.”
   1. Preferable: “Doctors should review their patient records.” or “Each doctor should review their patient records.”

Remember, language conventions are always evolving, and it’s important to stay updated with the latest guidelines from the APA or any other relevant authority, especially in academic and professional contexts. These guidelines reflect a growing awareness and sensitivity towards gender diversity and the importance of language in shaping our understanding of gender.

Key principles of APA’s gender-inclusive language guidelines:

• Use specific nouns to identify people or groups of people: Instead of using generic terms like “mankind” or “fireman,” use specific nouns like “women,” “men,” “transgender men,” “trans women,” “cisgender women,” or “cisgender men.”
• Avoid gendered generic pronouns: Replace generic pronouns like “he,” “she,” “him,” and “her” with gender-neutral pronouns like “they,” “them,” and “their.” This is particularly important when referring to individuals whose gender identity is unknown, non-binary, or not relevant.
• Use gendered language only when relevant: Use “male” and “female” as adjectives when appropriate and relevant to the context. For example, “a male participant” or “a female experimenter.” Avoid using “male” and “female” as nouns unless the age range is ambiguous or to identify a transgender person’s sex assignment at birth.
• Respect self-identified pronouns: When writing about a known individual, use the pronouns that person has identified as using. Do not refer to their pronouns as “preferred pronouns” as this implies a choice rather than an inherent identity.
• Use inclusive language for job titles and roles: Replace gender-specific job titles like “policeman” or “firewoman” with gender-neutral alternatives like “police officer” or “firefighter.”
• Avoid gender stereotypes and assumptions: Be mindful of language that perpetuates stereotypes about gender roles, abilities, or characteristics.
• Use inclusive language for groups: When referring to a group of people, use gender-inclusive language that encompasses all genders. For example, instead of saying “ladies and gentlemen,” say “guests,” “everyone,” or “participants.”
• Be aware of evolving language and terminology: Language is constantly evolving, and new terms and usage may emerge over time. Stay updated on current usage and be open to adapting your language accordingly. # Tips for respecting someone’s gender identity The most appropriate way to refer to someone’s gender is to use the pronouns and terms that they identify with. This is known as respecting someone’s gender identity. Gender identity is a person’s internal sense of being male, female, neither, both, or somewhere along the gender spectrum. It is not the same as a person’s sex assigned at birth, which is typically based on their physical characteristics.

Here are some tips for referring to someone’s gender:

• Ask someone their pronouns. This is the most respectful way to ensure that you are using the correct pronouns for them. You can say something like, “What pronouns do you use?”
• Use gender-neutral language when you don’t know someone’s pronouns. There are many gender-neutral pronouns that you can use instead of assuming someone’s gender. Some examples include “they,” “them,” and “their.”
• Avoid using gendered language when it is not necessary. This includes using terms like “man,” “woman,” “boy,” or “girl.”
• Be respectful of someone’s gender identity, even if you don’t understand it. It is important to remember that gender identity is a personal experience, and not everyone will identify in the same way.

Here are some examples of how to use gender-inclusive language: – Instead of saying “ladies and gentlemen,” say “everyone” or “all guests.” – Instead of saying “manpower,” say “workforce.” – Instead of saying “he or she,” say “they.”

By using gender-inclusive language, you can help to create a more inclusive and respectful environment for everyone.