Latinx or Latine?

Understanding Gender Inclusive Language

Queer Latinx identity is so much more than [English to Spanish / English to Portuguese] translations. Both, English and Spanish are colonizer languages and therefore difficult to accommodate the fluidity that queerness IS and represents.

Using the correct pronouns and being gender inclusive in your every day is an incredibly important symbol of respect. This is an ongoing journey for all and conversations around gender inclusivity should continue to be fluid and adaptable. So, we tapped into our community to learn from each other on what those conversations are like now. Here are some of the useful things we’ve learned so far.

The “X” and the “E”

Most words in Spanish end with an “o” or an “a” to determine if they are “masculine” or “femenine”. Recently, X has been used in place of “o” or “a” to challenge ‘gendered words’ such as “todos” and “todas”. The aim being to include those who neither identify with male of female pronouns. You might have seen folks use “todxs”, for example. Although we love using X as it centres gender inclusivity—the X pronunciation in Spanish might not work for all. This is where we see the inclusion of “e”. For example, you can say “todes”— which can be easier for Spanish speaking folks to pronounce!

How to use the “X” & “E”

Amigo / Amiga (Friend)

Amigue, Amix, Ami, Amiguis

Ex. Les amigues

Niño / Niña (Boy / Girl)

Niñe

Maestro / Maestra (Teacher)

Maestre

Ex. La maestra / Le maestre /Les maestres

Pronouns

Queer identity in Latin America and the Diaspora is intersectional as heck! It is fluid, it is ever-changing and should be built for all. Since the Spanish language isn’t very inclusive, we get to use creativity and innovation to help make it so. Many Spanish-speaking gender-inclusivity activists are encouraging the creation of a gender neutral language. Language that is neither ‘masculine’ nor ‘femme’ but neutral. Here’s how to put this into practice.

El/Ella (He/She/Ze)

Elle (“eh-yeh”)

Ellos/Ellas (they/them)

Elles (“eh-yehs”)

Genero no binario (Non-binary)

No binarie

Our Words MATTER

Ultimately, we get to choose the best way to identify ourselves. The key here is to keep gender inclusivity at the forefront and to be aware of the language we use and why it’s so important that we use it.

Whether you choose to identify as Latinx/Latine/Latina/Latino— know that they are all correct and equally valid! What we want is to be mindful of what works for us AND for the people around us.

Sources: subversiones.com