Speaker talks importance of using correct pronouns for transgender, nonbinary patients

Key takeaways:

• Dermatologists should be careful to use the correct pronouns for their transgender and nonbinary patients.
• The use of these pronouns can help affirm, include and comfort patients.

ORLANDO — A speaker at the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Annual Meeting highlighted the importance of dermatologists using correct pronouns when talking to their transgender or nonbinary patients.

“Gender dysphoria is something that dermatologists will come into contact with when providing care,” Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, assistant attending of dermatologic, Mohs, cosmetic and laser surgery at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and founder of Dr. Rossi Derm MD Skincare, told Healio. “Whether that’s transgender or nonbinary, it is really important to just understand these terms, be comfortable with them and be comfortable talking about them to your patient.”

According to Rossi, gender identity and expression are typically thought of in binary terms — male and female, men and women, masculine and feminine. However, these terms can be triggering to some people, particularly those with gender dysphoria.

Gender dysphoria is a diagnosis, found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5, that causes an individual to feel discomfort and incongruence with their gender and sex assigned at birth, Rossi explained. To combat this discomfort, people with gender dysphoria may identify as transgender, nonbinary or both.

Transgender people do not identify with the sex assigned to them at birth, instead identifying either as the opposite sex or as nonbinary. A nonbinary person is an individual who identifies as neither a man or a woman.

Overall, these gender identities transcend gender norms and, according to Rossi, it is important for dermatologists to respect the identity of their transgender and nonbinary patients. One of the ways to do this is through the use of pronouns.

According to Rossi’s presentation, dermatologists should be careful to use the correct preferred pronouns for their transgender and nonbinary patients as the use of these pronouns affirms their identity, makes them feel included and ultimately makes them feel comfortable.

In addition to the commonly used pronouns she/her, he/him and they/them, other pronouns, which are known as gender-neutral or neopronouns, include ze/zir and xe/xem. These pronouns may be preferred by nonbinary patients.

According to Rossi, a simple way to make sure you are using the right pronoun is to ask.

“Simple questions like ‘What pronouns would you like to use?’ create an inclusive environment that make you not only feel good but also make you feel part of their journey,” he said during his presentation.

Rossi expressed in his presentation that getting used to this practice may take some time and mistakes may be made but “it’s okay to stumble” as long as it is followed with an apology and commitment to do better next time.

“Because you will encounter these patients,” Rossi told Healio, “especially through aesthetic dermatology by enhancing features to align with an identify on the spectrum, or hormonal issues while transitioning, or issues with hair, it is important to always be respectful, mindful and aware.”

For more information:

Anthony Rossi, MD, FAAD, FACMS, can be reached at Anthony@RossiDerm.com.