Fall 2021 Alumni Magazine Digital Copy

INNOVATIONS IN NURSING
LITTLE
WORDS, BIG
IMPACT
HOW ADJUSTING PRONOUNS AND
OTHER LANGUAGE CAN IMPROVE
THE HEALTH OF LGBTQ+ PATIENTS
Pronouns are a matter of life or death for Keith
King, a registered nurse who identifies as twospirit
and Métis.
“When I greet a new patient I’ll say, ‘Hi, my
name’s Keith, I’m a registered nurse and my
pronouns are he/him. What can I do for you
today?’” King said. “And that just sets the
stage for the conversation in case that is an
issue.”
That simple introduction has led some young
patients who came in for routine medical care
to open up about their gender dysphoria, King
said, so he could direct them to the right
medical and mental health supports.
A few have come back later to tell him it
literally saved their lives.
“If that door was just open for every one
of them, it could make a huge difference
in how long people struggle,” King said.
Seemingly small changes can
make a big difference
King, an assistant teaching professor in
the Faculty of Nursing, is also
completing his PhD and works in sexual
and mental health clinics in Edmonton.
Words by: Gillian Rutherford
Photos by: John Ulan
HOW MUCH
DOES IT
COST YOU
TO CHANGE
YOUR
LANGUAGE?
—KEITH
KING
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