Recently a British bank, Halifax Bank, announced on Twitter that their employees would be given the opportunity to list their pronouns on their name tags. The bank tweeted “Pronouns matter. #ItsAPeopleThing.”
The tweet came with the backlash that is to be expected when voicing support for trans people today, with one Twitter user saying, “For a moment there, I was hoping this was a joke photo on a parody account, then I saw the verified tick now I’m thinking I should close my Halifax account and take my money elsewhere.”
The company was quick to respond, stating “We strive for inclusion, equality and quite simply, in doing what’s right. If you disagree with our values, you’re welcome to close your account.”
In other sections of the thread, bank representatives attempted to explain the importance of pronouns and allowing their employees to feel seen and respected at work.
“Giving our colleagues the option to add their pronouns on their badge, helps to create an inclusive environment for our customers and colleagues,” the Halifax Bank Twitter account explains.
While several critics on Twitter voiced that they and their money would be heading elsewhere, others stated that they intended to look into switching to Halifax to better support the bank’s pro-trans policy.
The bank’s blunt stance regarding support of its trans and nonbinary employees is something of a breath of fresh air, amidst the hemming and hawing of many companies who are trying to figure out how to appeal both to queer people and transphobes.
It’s a good reminder that even as queer people around the world face threatening legislation, the world is still moving forward, and supportive places are out there. It may seem nonsensical to some individuals—who likely need to do a little work on their empathy for the different lived experience of others in the world—but something as simple as being able to put pronouns on a name badge can mean the world to trans folks.
Here’s hoping that more companies take a page from Halifax’s book and stop trying to pander to bigots.
