On our Mauritius Island, Whether you’re chilling at Caudan Waterfront in the capital of Port Louis, grabbing dholl puri in Rose Hill Town, or catching the sunset at Flic en Flac Beach, pronouns matter — and they’re part of our everyday language, culture, and identity.
What’s the big deal with pronouns?
Pronouns are how we refer to each other – he, she, they, and in Mauritian Creole, li. Simple, right? For many of us in the LGBTQIA+ community, being called by the right pronoun is a form of respect, recognition, and love. It’s like finally hearing your name pronounced correctly at a family gathering.
In Creole, we say li — and it’s beautiful
Mauritian Creole is magic. We use li for everyone — no stress, no gendered confusion. Whether you’re snacking on gato pima with your bestie or dancing sega at a beach party, li keeps things simple and inclusive. It’s like our language already knew how to be kind when it started along with the history of slavery.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t care about personal pronouns in other languages. Some of us feel more seen with he/him, she/her, they/them, or even ze/zir in English. In French it would be ‘il/lui’, ‘elle/lui’, ‘iel / ielle’. And that’s okay. It’s about choice. It’s about one’s right to express one’s identity
Real talk: Being queer in Mauritius
Let’s be honest – being queer in Mauritius isn’t always easy. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a lot of work ahead. Despite using Li, we still follow a binary gender system. Transgender and gender non-conforming people still do not have legal recognition.
But we’re here. We exist. We thrive. From the vibrant parties in Grand Baie to quiet conversations in Curepipe cafés, we’re building community, one pronoun at a time.
How you can show support
Ask and use pronouns: “Hey, what pronouns do you use?” is a powerful question.
Respect the answer: Even if it’s new to you, it’s not about you – it’s about li.
Educate yourself: Follow local organisations like Young Queer Alliance, collect resources, and share them.
Celebrate diversity: Attend Pride, wear your rainbow, and support queer people
Final words from us to you
To every person out there figuring themselves out – you’re not alone. Whether you’re li, they, ze, or something uniquely yours, you deserve to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
So today, on International Pronouns Day, let’s raise a toast (or a glass of alouda!) to the power of language, the beauty of identity, and the joy of being unapologetically Mauritian and queer.
Nou la. Nou existe. Nou fier. (We are here, we exist and we are proud)
(Written by Najeebah Nabeebacus, Agente de Renforcement Communautaire – Young Queer Alliance, Mauritius)