Using the wrong pronouns may not be an act of war, but as far as the U.S. Embassy in Brazil is concerned, it’s a micro-aggression.
 
The embassy posted an informational video Wednesday featuring a man named Mark explaining in English, with Portuguese subtitles, that “there is a range of gender identities” and that “you can’t assume someone’s gender just by looking at them.”
 
“Making incorrect assumptions about someone’s gender – that’s a micro-aggression,” said Mark, who uses “he/him” pronouns. “That could be hurtful for individuals who identify with certain communities – such as transgender or queer communities.”

He went on to highlight gender-neutral pronouns, saying that “a growing number of people are using different pronouns like they/them, xe/xem, ze/hir, per/pers and ey/em.”
 
“These are gender-neutral pronouns,” he said in the video. “They don’t specify the gender of the subject of the sentence and they exist because you can’t assume someone’s gender just by looking at them.”
 
His advice? “So, what is the best way to be sure you are using the right pronouns? Just ask. Asking for and using someone’s preferred pronouns show respect and help create an inclusive environment,” he said.

The video was posted on the embassy’s Facebook page and Twitter account for International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.

Preferred pronouns have been a priority for the State Department under the Biden administration. The department posted in July 2021 a pronoun explainer called “Why do many Americans list pronouns on social media platforms?”
 
On the other side are those who view the push for cross-sex or gender-neutral pronouns as an effort to compel speech and deny biological truth. Lawsuits have been filed by school staffers over policies requiring them to use the cross-sex pronouns of students who identify as the opposite gender.
 
Not surprisingly, the embassy’s pronouns video raised eyebrows on the right. “Does anyone know the Portuguese pronoun for pinhead?” asked conservative radio host Todd Starnes.

Richard Hanania, president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology, said that former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “wouldn’t have stood for it.”
 
“I like how nothing about US foreign policy changes on all the major questions of war and peace, but the outcomes of elections determine whether embassy staff announce pronouns,” tweeted Mr. Hanania.
 
Retired Navy Lt. Steven Rogers tweeted: “Can’t wait for Republicans to get control of our government once again and end this sick nonsense.”

 The embassy also raised the Progress Pride Flag on the flagpole Wednesday just below the American flag.
 
“We don’t celebrate days like today just once a year. We remember this every single day,” said Douglas Koneff, the Brazil embassy’s deputy chief of mission, at the flag-raising ceremony. “This is a never-ending struggle to respect the rights of other human beings, of LGBTQI groups and individuals.”

Secretary of State Antony Blinken marked the day with a tweet calling for “an end to harmful conversion therapy practices, including those that attempt to change a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics.”

• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.