Respecting gender identities

National Research Foundation-rated researcher Dr Nyx Mclean, who specialises in LGBTIAQ+ identities and communities and their use of digital technology to form public and counter-publics to resist the status quo, was recently hosted by the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences (FBMS).  

Speaking at the event, the Dean of the FBMS, Prof Paul Green, said that although South Africa is working towards a society which is free of discrimination, “We also need to be aware of the privilege afforded to certain members of society whilst members of the LGBTIAQ+ community are often marginalised”.  He said: “We need to ensure that we are respectful of an individual's affirmed gender identity, name and pronouns, as knowing and using a person's correct pronouns fosters a culture of inclusion, makes people feel respected and valued, and thus affirms their gender identity.”

Mclean, a Research Associate at Rhodes University, regularly consults on policies that seek to include gender and sexual identity.  They engaged over 180 staff members and students in an inter-active conversation driven by questions posed from the audience and started the conversation by identifying with their pronouns, being “they” and “them” and invited the audience to share their pronouns.

The former CPUT academic said it’s essential to be comfortable with your identity and provided details of organisations that could assist you. They emphasised that gender is not “clear cut and is fluid”. Mclean further stated that often, cisgender people assume that their gender identity is clear-cut and are not aware that there is gender diversity. Using the incorrect pronoun causes hurt, which could be intentional or a lack of understanding.  Mclean also referred to a social media drive creating awareness about gender expression and the normalisation of pronouns.

They responded to a myriad of questions as to how to address people with the correct gender pronoun. Mclean said: “It is safe enough to ask the person, and you might find it uncomfortable, as in our society we are generally taught to unconsciously or consciously categorise people based on what we have learnt”. They informed me that this is referred to as gender attribution. Mclean also emphasised the importance of the tone being one of kindness when enquiring.

Mclean said their worldview is advocated through an intersectional and inclusive lens and ethical university.  Senior Lecturer and Chairperson of the Transformation Forum in the Faculty, Mandie Richards, said academic institutions, organisations and civil society need to work towards a culture of acceptance and respect, which is inclusive of all people.

“Our worldview may often be influenced by a narrative which is uninformed and intolerant of people who have different viewpoints and who do not fit into a box, and so creates a disruption to the status quo with which we are familiar,” said Richards. 

She stated that the institutions must address policy, and academics must reflect and provide an inclusive curriculum that integrates content that reflects the diversity of students and communities in which they live. 

Human Resource Management Department Lecturer Taryn Kroukamp emphasised the need for people to understand that discrimination happens “all around us”.  Kroukamp said: “The freedom we fought for should include our freedom of expression and gender identity terms.” She stated that respect and inclusivity “are key for us to move forward”.

Written by Aphiwe Boyce

Email: boyceap@cput.ac.za