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Oct 2·edited Oct 2Liked by Nikki M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS

Good for you, Dr. Johnson for your courage. Only last night, I was on a Zoom call of 11 women. The facillitator asked that we use the "rename" zoom feature to indicate our pronouns. What, I thought? I added my last name instead while everyone else indicated "she/her." I sensed she wondered why I did not do the same. However, if she had asked, I would have told her that it would only be fitting for a trans person to indicate their pronouns so that we may refer to that person accordingly. Otherwise, it is a complete waste of time to identify that which is clearly obvious to anyone who can see and hear. I will not play silly woke games, and hope that others stand up for themselves,too.

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Valencia, It is absurd that a group of women would need to identify themselves as women. I’m willing to bet that if we look at the people who wear their pronouns on a badge or include them in an email signature, the majority would be people who are not trans identifying and obviously appear as women or men. Many of them can’t even articulate why they’re doing it.

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Oct 3Liked by Nikki M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS

100% this part. I actually have asked a few people this and the responses range from "to be nice" to "to help oppressed minorities". At what point do we realize Joe Biden doesn't need to put pronouns on his name badge? I'm sorry. smh.

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Oct 3Liked by Nikki M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS

So, true.

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Oct 3Liked by Nikki M. Johnson, MD, DNBPAS

These days this takes a lot of courage.. and that is kind of sad if you think about it. A part of me wishes you had said all of that to begin with because maybe everyone else is thinking the same but too afraid to speak up… but another part of me is also afraid and would have done the same thing you did. A little courage but not quite enough to make a scene and probably get fired.. thanks again Valencia. You are a hero in my eyes!

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I understand but this was the first meeting of a volunteer group to receive online training. We could see each other on Zoom so, you can imagine how surprised I was at the pronoun request. Don't worry, they'll get to know me soon and realize that I don't engage in woke stupidity nor am I fearful - just retired. Thank you for your comment.

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Great point. I always say that I'll respect those that want to be referreed to with a specific pronoun but that I will not follow along for myself as I see it as compelled speech. However, I like your approach as well and it makes complete sense.

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I'm curious what the topic of the meeting was. I.e. was it a DEI type training or something else entirely? I support people living however they want to live but also find this performative ally ship cringy. I don't want to have to play pretend that you don't know I identify as a woman because of the way I look. And hey- if you're confused and want to refer to me as a man with He pronouns b/c you're unsure --what do I care? Go for it! If the point initially was to show that gender is fluiid-- why is the "progressive" practice so rigid about gender identification. Can't we just be PEOPLE?

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Good point. No, it was not a DEI type training. I am volunteering to become a court advocate for children in foster care. You mentioned, "If the point initially was to show that gender is fluid-- why is the "progressive" practice so rigid about gender identification? I agree in that human beings often make a variety of identity mistakes such as the time I once congratulated a woman on her pregnancy only to be politely told that she was not. I apologized and there was no problem. Men and women have inhabited the earth for millions of years, and only now we question identity - geez. Just because there are some who beat the pronoun drum and expect us to follow them, doesn't mean we should.

Just for kicks and giggles (and facts), check this out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMBzfUj5zsg

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I love Bill Maher. I cannot believe the ACLU's list of people who will be most affected by abortion rights included LGBTQ but not WOMEN. What again? I think the gender affirming care issue is overstated by the right but the left is playing right into their hands. "Gay men aren't hip enough for the pride parade." omg. My gay uncle who died of AIDS in 1998 before the cocktail came out is rolling in his grave. They fought so hard during the AIDS crisis- celebrated in spite of everything to be who they are. See also our foremothers who fought for abortion rights.

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Well put. Very.

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