To include or not to include pronouns on my resume - Job Hunting While Trans in Conservative America

To include or not to include pronouns on my resume. It’s a question I’ve been going back and forth over more than I’d like to admit.

With the rise of conservatism in the US, signaling myself as openly transgender while on the job hunt has felt more nerve wracking than usual. I’ve caught myself watering down points on my resume discussing my work collaborating on storytelling campaigns with transgender youth or organizing in low income communities for fear that my deep commitment to empowering marginalized people may seem too intense to some hiring managers before they’ve had a chance to chat with me over how this experience can be a major asset to any firm.

The reality is, this is work I’m extremely proud of and I'm frustrated at my willingness to redact it. It’s a constant negotiation between opportunity, authenticity, and staying true to the work I care about.

Like any other job seeker on the market, trans and gender nonconforming people want to lead, grow professionally, and contribute our unique skills to firms and organizations. Pronouns on staff pages or inclusive language on job listings might seem like small gestures, but it matters more than people may realize. They signal that spaces exist where our full selves are welcome and our voices can be part of the work we are committed to.