The United States is currently in a time of great change, be it the creation of important new laws, the presidential election or the ten different scandals going on at any given time. However, one of the types of change that I have seen a large amount of controversy surrounding is concerning gender and sexuality. One of the easiest ways to embrace this change is to accept the people it affects. Part of this includes something basic, but incredibly important.

Using the correct pronouns for others, no matter if they're family, friends or acquaintances is paramount in society evolving as a whole, and also respecting each other's basic human rights.

Refusing to use someone’s preferred pronoun is refusing to acknowledge their rights as a human being to be the person they truly are. It is no one’s decision but their own what they choose to be called, and others around them should respect that. Not using a preferred pronoun because it is annoying or inconvenient is self centered and insensitive.

Referring to someone by their preferred pronoun is the simplest thing one can to do make their friends feel respected, accepted, and validated. Changing a single word in a sentence takes but a second of thought from your day and eventually becomes an easy habit, just the same as calling someone by a new nickname, or a different last name when they get married.

I feel lucky to be living in a time I know will be wrote about in history books someday, and I want to do everything I can to support the change happening here. This includes supporting friends, family and even enemies in their self-acceptance endeavors.