Pronouns and prejudice

Being constantly misgendered is exhausting, says a non-binary Delhi resident. It can break networks but build them too

- Ambar Himanshi Sanjay

I grew up being addressed as she/her. I adopted she/ they pronouns in 2019, when I was in Class 10. I come from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, where there isn't much knowledge or awareness about the non-binary community. It took time to find people I could confide in.

Instagram felt safer: A space where people knew me for the art I was putting out. So when I adopted they/them pronouns in 2020, I added the update to my Instagram page. It was only a year later that I decided to speak to my friends about it, and tell them that this wasn't a "joke" or a "phase".