Genderqueer in the UK
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Misc, or Mx: A Gender-neutral Title
Unless you’re a qualified doctor or a professional religious person, your title options are far from non-binary. Ms and Mr add a formality buffer that many companies and organisations like to use, as it makes almost everyone feel more comfortable. The trouble is, when someone is asking us for a title, they’re basically asking if we’re a guy or a girl. The answer is almost always neither.
There aren’t many out genderqueer folk around, but those of us that are working towards recognition and acceptance are generally using one of two titles. (Correct me if I’m wrong, so I can add the others here too.) These titles are also useful to use when you need to address someone formally, but are unsure of their gender. For example, someone has written to you and addressed you as Mr or Ms Surname, but they’ve signed the letter “Sam Smith”. As Sam could be either male or female, or genderqueer, Misc (Sam) Smith is an appropriate response, until Sam corrects you.
Here’s a list and here’s a discussion in the comments about businesses and organisations that are happy to use Mx or Misc. Edit: And here’s a regularly-updated wiki page UK Recognition on the nonbinary.org wiki, and here’s a downloadable PDF of evidence to show to organisations who think it’s not a “proper” title.
Mx (eg: Mx Sam Smith, Mx Smith)
Pronounced Mix. From what I can tell, this one has been around longer. The x acts as a wild card, taking the usual title format of Mr and Ms and putting in an x to remove the gender in the title. (If anyone has a source for this, I’d love to link to it.)
Misc (eg: Misc Sam Smith, Misc Smith)
Pronounced Misk. The roots are interesting. The word miscellaneous comes from the Latin miscellus, meaning “mixed.” I think a lot of genderqueer people would say that they have aspects of various genders at various times. These days, it’s often used to categorise something that doesn’t have another previously defined category. (First page.)
I’d rather go by no title at all, but would be going by Mx if I got my act together.
Yep, I quite like these two.
Now we need to find one for the ma’am/sir phenomenon – everyone seems to insist on using those, even when it’s not necessary.
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I like these, though when I changed my name by deed poll not long ago, I chose Ser as my title. I think there should a range of choice for everyone, including the choice to not have a title at all.
I’m just plain excited; I’ve just phoned The Legal Deed Poll Service and discovered Mx. After breast argumentation my view on life style has been given a hefty push towards a female existence, but I still love my male side, and have no intention of changing sex completely and had not given a thought to my title. I changed my name with them last August, keeping my 2 male Christian names first and adding 2 female names. I still want to keep things that way but change the order, so as to start with a feminine name. Mr, Mrs and Miss are just too strong for me. I did have Ms is mind, but find that waves heavy on the female side too. Mx and now Misc. looks like the answer to my problem. Mx looks better on paper, but I think Misc. seems to sound better. Whatever, still looks I have to do the whole Deed Poll thing again, the joys of being an androgenic male, but I am very happy now, and don’t want things any other way.
I loved reading your story! Thank you for sharing.
I am SO glad the deed poll folk are into Mx.
And you’re totally right, re: Mx vs Misc. You describe the way I feel about the two, but so much better. Mx looks nicer, but Misc sounds nicer. Thank you, heh.
I’ve just changed my title to MX too, and it is interesting to see the banks accepting it as an official title!!!
Opps! wrong web site.
Well, I’ve got my Deep Poll papers back. I’ve also been to my bank who have recorded the change Mx and all. Both the bank lady and myself could quite figure out how I should be addressed, be it Mix Jones or what. I thought Mixter had a better ring to it, but we’ve settled on Pippa. Just have to see what other branches I use make of it. Should have my new bank cards in a few days, will try and post pictures for you “Cassian”, I will blank my card numbers out, if you don’t mind.
How pleasing!
Which bank are you with? And yes, of course, feel free to blank out any information you don’t feel comfortable sharing. 
Sorry never did answer your question Cassian, I’m with LloydsTSB. I’ve had my new card back from them, but no Mx, its just title less. The envelop and all other correspondence since are addressed to Mx Philippa-paul, thanks to a big push from a lady at my local branch here in Wimborne, Dorset. Got quite excited on picking up my first mail. However 1st pasted the post with a card was the DVLA with my Driving Licence. I have the picture so next thing is to follow your instructions and try and send it to you. National Lottery, have also recognised MX in a letter from them, but it seems there data base can’t cope with it so I can only be MISS, Mrs or MS. I did try to complete their form using MS, but it kicked me out when I entered my sex as male, even though the Deed Poll Office seem to be OK with a male TG using MS, so it was call them up on the phone time. Argos asked for a copy of my Deed poll, but not heard from them yet, and I’m not sure what’s happening with Tesco, Boots, and a few others that I’ve informed of my title change. Seems they are all at the mercy of their computer programmers, so I may be a long time.
Help, where do I find Blog post?
So cool! I’m about to start using Mx, have signed the e-petition too. Hopefully we’ll get enough for it to be recognised officially
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Did you see – http://t.co/xi11l7dnA5 Brighton & Hove Green’s Cllr’s have had the City Council officially add Mx as a title and for training to be given to all new Cllr’s staff etc. This is a giant leap in the right direction which other Councils and Unitary Authorities can learn from. #solidarity
I think a separate title for gender neutral/non gender specific people (the term gender queer is usually taken offensively) is a good idea, as long as the use of the title remains an individuals decision to take. I think it would in many cases relieve the stress of having to ‘appear’ Mr or Ms when a person is neither/both and in turn having to explain to strangers your personal circumstances concerning gender. In particular it could greatly lessen the confusion often caused for passport holders who’s appearance doesn’t necessarily match the gender stated on their passport. And perhaps even the use of the letter X instead of M or F on passports could also be an important step (or birth certificates of intersex individuals). But again, the decision to use the title Mx/Misc has to be that person’s decision. The key point in this is that we need enough people choosing to use the title Mx/Misc for various things for it to be incorporated into computer systems. This could take years, but I do believe the more it is used, it will become a norm. This change could prove very useful for people in a number of different situations including intersex individuals and transgender people who do not yet appear as the physical gender they intend.
On a personal note, I myself intend to use the title Mx as far as possible. It is for me, somewhat of a weight off my mind, to know there is another option. And one that would give me far more freedom on a daily basis, rather than having to be prepared to explain myself to strangers. Everyone has right to privacy.
Thank you for your response. I enjoyed reading your article.
I have had a few non gender specific persons express to me that the word ‘queer’ is offensive to them. Much like a gay man being called a ‘queer’ is offensive and not socially acceptable, in that sense it is generally seen to be offensive. Was just a point to think about. Though I do myself feel the term to be slightly derogatory and do prefer non gender specific or gender neutral. I believe them to hold far better connotations. I suppose we can put it down to preference.
The basis of your article has raised many good points and I hope that more people like yourself will enter into discussion about this topic, write blogs, and get the title Mx out there.
Many thanks
Hi, I was really excited to read this post as I’ve never heard of Mx/Misc before – I volunteer at an organisation that supports homeless LGBT people, so i will spread the word there, and will get in touch with my local council about officially accepting these titles. I have used ‘Ms’ for a long time now and am pretty fond of it, especially when people get pissed and tell me I shouldn’t be using it unless I’m divorced…but I would be excited to adopt Mx or Misc for myself as a gender neutral title. I am a cis-gendered woman and feel very strongly that binary gender signifiers are used to reinforce stereotypes that limit social interaction. As my interest in adopting a gender neutral title would be political more than related to my own gender identity, I would be interested to hear whether anyone thinks it would be positive or negative for people who don’t necessarily identify as genderqueer to use Mx/Misc?
I like Mx. and would love to use it. Never heard of or seen Misc. I wish the U.S. would include more options for titles, but really I’d be fine with no title. I’d love to see a neutral substitute for sir/ ma’am. I think that would affect me much more than a title.