With feminism and Women’s Rights on the rise in social media and the news, you can find literally everyone and their mother sharing posts and writing comments about feminist issues such as the defunding of Planned Parenthood or Donald Trump’ aggressively sexists quotes. However, it often seems that there is a limit to the level of compassion the everyday activist feels comfortable extending. Many feel comfortable expressing their personal injustices or injustices of neighbors, friends and family, because people are aware of the problems they face, and aware of the problems those close to them struggle with as well.
In all forms of activism and types of movements, many people struggle to extend the same compassion or empathy to injustices they may not understand or even be aware of.
Feminism and Women’s Rights does not just extend to the straight woman seeking contraceptive, nor does it stop at the bisexual woman being over-sexualized in the workplace. Feminism and Women’s Rights in general extends to every individual facing prejudice or discrimination because of their race, background, sex, gender, or gender identity.
For example, transgender rights are not something every Feminist may be aware of. After all, only 0.6 percent of Americans identify as transgendered, meaning you are a lot less likely to know a transgendered individual than a marginalized woman or gay person. However, you do not need to be transgender, gay or even know someone in the LGBTQ+ community to be an activist for transgender and gay rights. Every feminist and every activist must rally behind and support the rights of all genders.
So let’s get familiar…
One issue that many may not be aware of is the generalized use of gender-identity and pronoun use in society. A major argument of this generalization is that the binary he-she the English language has adopted creates polarization and does not adequately suffice the number of gender-identities. To better understand this, take a look at the options available on Facebook for gender. In your settings under “Contact and Basic Info,” scroll down to your “Basic Info” section and you’ll find a drop down bar under gender that allows you to chose from male, female, or “custom.” If you click on custom, there is an option for you type in your preferred gender, with 58 pre-programed options.
Despite the addition of these genders to the list of options available on a Facebook bio, if you look just below the option to customize gender, Facebook politely asks you “Which pronoun do you prefer?” With 58 very different genders, there remains only two cis gendered pronouns and the ambiguous “they.” This discrepancy in pronoun use brings to light a large flaw in the binary standard of our culture, a flaw that acknowledges gender differences but still forces people to choose a category of “he” or “she.” But describing a transgendered, queer female as “he” or “she” seems not only irrelevant, but is also confusing and not reflective of whom they are as a person.
Our gender is polarized not only on Facebook, but also from the moment we are born. It is polarized further by companies and social media who advertise specific qualities, attributes and activities to each gender as well. Boys grow up in blue shirts with baseball bats and girls grow up in pink skirts with embowered flowers. Why can a child not enjoy both skirts and baseball bats? Why must we have to choose?
So, where do we go from here? Although rewriting the English language is not something we can do overnight, there are ways to promote gender-identity that can happen almost instantly. My first recommendation is to not assume, it’s always appropriate to ask what name and pronoun someone uses. Secondly, although it is appropriate to ask for a name and pronoun, it is never appropriate to interrogate someone about their sexuality or gender identity, unless there is a mutual, open dialog about the topic. 
Finally, be open, accepting and aware of what’s happening around you, speak up and demand change when injustice is present; request gender-neutral restrooms in your workplace or campus and support legislation that supports equal rights. Simply put – be an ally.