Talking to or about a gender fluid person

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Mike1w

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I work in a jail. I recently started. An inmate is in a male unit, but is ‘gender fluid.’ how should I address or refer to the inmate, aside from the last name. I don’t know what pronouns or titles to use. I don’t want to run afoul of any policies or applicable laws, since I work in a government establishment.
 
There must be a procedure for this. Speak to your boss and ask them what to do.
 
I got an answer, which I won’t share publically. Send me a pm if you want to really know.
 
Bear in mind that this “pronoun” business is taken very seriously these days. I don’t know what country you’re in, and not every country goes to the same extreme lengths. Even so, there’s a chance that, if the rulebook says you are to refer to the female prisoner as “he” and you disobey, they will simply fire you on the spot and hire someone else to take your place. If you’re in Canada, you might even end up on the other side of the bars. Or your boss might end up there, if he breaks the law by failing to fire you.
 
First, ask your boss if there’s a particular way you are supposed to refer to the person. You need to follow the rules of your workplace to avoid lawsuits and the like.

Second, if your boss says there isn’t any rule or can’t provide guidance, the polite thing to do would be to ask the inmate their preference and use it. If you don’t want to do that, stick with the last name.
 
I spoke to someone and got the answer as to how such inmates should be addressed or described. I’ll follow it, according to applicable laws and policies. In general, the inmate chooses how they should be described, etc… I obviously can’t discuss specifics, lest I get fired and possibly incarcerated myself.
 
while I agree with you in principle, adamhovey1988, I can’t take your advice because I would run the risk of being beaten, sued, fired, and/or arrested. Please take note of the fact I work at a public jail.
 
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