[Help] Is the personal pronoun for a trans non-binary person singular or plural?

[Goldstone1976]

Someone came out to me a few days ago as "transgender, non-binary". After a bit of exploration by myself around what that actually meant, I was told that I needed to use "they" as a personal pronoun for them in future.

Aside from the fact that I'm really going to struggle to remember to do this - because I've known the individual as a man for nigh on a decade, so am likely to forget - there is a more pressing concern: should I be declining the reference in the singular or plural?

Is it "They is coming for a beer"? or "They are coming for a beer"?

 

[MattBackHome]

They are

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[Goldstone1976]

They are

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Even though that will inevitably lead to confusion in the mind of the person to whom I'm addressing the statement?

"They are coming for a beer"
"Who are?"
"PPF* are"
"PPF and whom?"
"Just PPF"
"Errr..."

*Name chosen at random. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Aside from the fact that I'm really going to struggle to remember to do this - because I've known the individual as a man for nigh on a decade, so am likely to forget - there is a more pressing concern: should I be declining the reference in the singular or plural?

Is it "They is coming for a beer"? or "They are coming for a beer"?

Easiest solution would be to decline the beer invite shirley? Wait til They ask you. Job done

 

[Goldstone1976]

Easiest solution would be to decline the beer invite shirley? Wait til They ask you. Job done

That thought did cross my mind!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

Even though that will inevitably lead to confusion in the mind of the person to whom I'm addressing the statement?

"They are coming for a beer"
"Who are?"
"PPF* are"
"PPF and whom?"
"Just PPF"
"Errr..."

*Name chosen at random. Any similarities to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

"They are coming for a beer"
"Who are?"
"PPF"

The same as you could have a conversation along the lines of:

"Someone's coming around today look at my house."
"Where are they coming from?"
"They are coming from Bristol."
"What time will they be here?"
"About 6pm"

You're still talking about an individual, all the time up until they are identified.

 

[beorhthelm]

Is it "They is coming for a beer"? or "They are coming for a beer"?

"They is", more street innit.

 

[Birdie Boy]

"They are coming for a beer"
"Who are?"
"PPF"

The same as you could have a conversation along the lines of:

"Someone's coming around today look at my house."
"Where are they coming from?"
"They are coming from Bristol."
"What time will they be here?"
"About 6pm"

You're still talking about an individual, all the time up until they are identified.

You should be replying he or she is coming from Bristol, not they...

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[marcos3263]

"They is", more street innit.

Yeah blood an ting

 

[vagabond]

“These are a good side”

Good old Hughton was ahead of his time!

 

[Greg Bobkin]

You should be replying he or she is coming from Bristol, not they...

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Not if you didn't know if it was a man or woman coming...

 

[Goldstone1976]

Not if you didn't know if it was a man or woman coming...

There's no hope for you if you can't tell the difference between a man and a woman coming.

 

[jamie (not that one)]

There's no hope for you if you can't tell the difference between a man and a woman coming.

I heard there are some videos online if anyone needs help.

 

[Billy the Fish]

"They are coming for a beer"
"Who are?"
"PPF"

The same as you could have a conversation along the lines of:

"Someone's coming around today look at my house."
"Where are they coming from?"
"They are coming from Bristol."
"What time will they be here?"
"About 6pm"

You're still talking about an individual, all the time up until they are identified.

It's the correct answer

 

[Easy 10]

Bear in mind too, if they is single, then they may also object to this label and instead ask to be referred to as being "self-partnering".

 

[Hampden Park]

If the trans non-binary person still has a knob, he is a bloke ffs

 

[RossyG]

Their pronouns are either he or she depending on whether they are male or female.

 

[Seaber]

If the trans non-binary person still has a knob, he is a bloke ffs

Edit: misread OP.

Still, your answer isn't really in the spirit of the question, is it?

 

[Fungus]

Wasn't there a long NSC discussion on this about a month ago?

 

[zefarelly]

Thing, or IT?

Maybe we should just all refer to anyone a bit special as Dave, it'll be in the dictionary next year.