Westerford High School in Cape Town is bringing the country’s education system into the present by offering their students the choice to wear a badge showcasing their own pronouns on it.
Gender pronouns are the terms people choose to refer to themselves that reflect their gender identity. These might be he/him, she/her or gender-neutral pronouns such as they/them. Knowing and using a person’s correct pronouns fosters inclusion, makes people feel respected and valued, and affirms their gender identity.
Principal Alison Gray said that it felt good to allow their pupils and staff the opportunity to show their pronouns, reports IOL.
With many of their High School community wearing their pronoun badges, Gray added that trans people won’t feel excluded, as they will now be a part of a bigger support group.
While the world raises awareness of the struggles facing the LGBTQI+ community through means of celebrating Pride Month which takes place in June, tensions continue to rise.
A few months ago, a 27-year-old lesbian was attacked by men in Strand, Cape Town while she was walking home, while an 18-year-old was forced to drop out of school in Tongaat, Durban, after suffering through endless fights with students who insulted him because he is gay.
Westerford High School’s inclusive step to give pupils this form of support through the option of wearing pronoun badges exemplifies a shift forward, not just for Cape Town, but for South Africa.
Cape {town} Etc has reached out to Westerford High School and are awaiting further commentary.
On the 26 February 2022 Cape Town Pride are celebrating in style at the A-Track in Green Point from 1pm to 9pm, and it’s going to be bigger and better than before including a bigger stage, larger grounds, more stalls and a mix of local and international artists.
For more information, click here.
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Picture: Unsplash
