Tacts, Mands, and Margins: Using Behavior Analysis to Affirm Trans Lives
摘要
This advocacy note applies a behavior analytic lens to the practice of pronoun sharing, positioning it as a socially significant verbal behavior with the potential to foster safer and more inclusive environments for transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) people. Drawing on the distinction between tacts and mands, the paper analyzes pronoun sharing as a small but meaningful act of everyday activism, especially when initiated by cisgender individuals. It explores the reinforcement histories and contingencies that influence whether pronouns are shared, requested, or withheld, and offers practical recommendations for behavior analysts working in clinical, educational, and organizational settings. Emphasis is placed on modeling affirming practices, avoiding coercion, and supporting social validity through collaborative and participatory approaches. By grounding this discussion in verbal behavior theory and cultural analysis, the paper highlights how individual verbal acts can contribute to broader systems of equity and dignity.