Personal Pronouns and Radical Hospitality

“Non-binary, woman and man here, everyone can here.” – Our Ethos

In English, whether we realize it or not, people frequently refer to us using pronouns when speaking about us. When speaking in the third person, these pronouns have a gender implied, such as “he” or “she.” Unfortunately, these associations are not always accurate or helpful.

Using someone’s preferred personal pronouns is one way we practice radical hospitality and create an inclusive environment for all, just as using a person’s name can be a way to respect them.

At Highlands Church, we affirm the sacred dignity of all persons—inclusive of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnic background, marital status, economic circumstance, or difference of ability.

As we continue to learn and grow in understanding, we pledge to provide a safe, supportive community where all persons—as they share in worship, community, and leadership—may find the guidance and love of God in their lives.

Here are some examples of personal pronouns and how to use them:

  • She/Her: “She is a writer and wrote that book herself. Those ideas are hers. I like both her and her ideas.”
  • He/Him: “He is a writer and wrote that book himself. Those ideas are his. I like both him and his ideas.”
  • They/Them: “They are a writer and wrote that book themself. Those ideas are theirs. I like both them and their ideas.” Please note that although “they” pronouns here are singular and refer to an individual, the verbs are conjugated the same as with the plural “they” (e.g., “they are”). Also note that in this singular pronoun set many use “themself” rather than “themselves,” although both are typically acceptable.

Land Acknowledgment

Highlands Church Denver honors and acknowledges that it resides on the traditional and unceded territories of the Ute, Cheyenne, and Arapaho Peoples. We also recognize the 48 contemporary Indigenous Tribes and Nations who have historically called Colorado home.

A “land acknowledgement” is a traditional practice of many Native nations that has been used for centuries. Native and non-Native individuals and groups increasingly use land acknowledgments to recognize Indigenous Peoples as the original stewards of the lands upon which we now reside.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian explains:

“After millennia of Native history and centuries of displacement and dispossession, acknowledging original Indigenous inhabitants is complex. Many places in the Americas have been home to different Native Nations over time, and many Indigenous people no longer live on lands to which they have ancestral ties. Even so, Native Nations, communities, families, and individuals today sustain their sense of belonging to ancestral homelands and protect these connections through Indigenous languages, oral traditions, ceremonies, and other forms of cultural expression. Our acknowledgment is intended to recognize the Indigenous peoples who have lived where we now work over the long span of human history and the large contemporary Native population that lives in this region.”