On the 247th anniversary of America’s Independence Day, the TikTok community found itself embroiled in a contentious trend dubbed “My Pronouns are USA” with the original video viral
This trend, originally intended as a farcical jab at the “woke” culture, sparked widespread controversy due to its mocking undertone towards the LGBTQ+ community and its use of diverse pronouns aligning with individual gender identities.
My Pronouns are USA trend meaning explained after original video goes viral on TikTok
The trend originated from a video compilation featuring several conservative figures such as journalist Jason Killian Meath, English broadcaster Piers Morgan, and US Senator Ted Cruz. These figures used the phrase “My Pronouns Are” followed by random nouns, phrases, or “USA”, in a bid to satirize liberal culture.
my pronouns are usa pic.twitter.com/2QD1r2h0D2
— 𝘺𝘢𝘳𝘢 (@yaravxo) July 4, 2023
RAHHHH🦅🦅MY PRONOUNS ARE USA🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸RAHHHHH pic.twitter.com/OkUXqVzIqD
— han (@hannahkatelol) July 5, 2023
Initially shared in 2021 via The Daily Show’s official TikTok account, the video was removed following severe backlash from liberals who condemned the overt mockery of the LGBTQ+ community. However, the trend saw a resurgence on this year’s Independence Day, with conservatives reviving it amidst increasing resistance faced by the queer community.
Extending beyond TikTok: Participation and backlash
The trend transcended TikTok, spreading to Twitter where users shared videos and tweets replicating the original content. Participants, donned in red, blue, and white outfits, declared their pronouns as USA, often accompanying their posts with the audio from the original video and the sound of an eagle.
One prominent clip from the original video showed Senator Cruz provocatively saying, “My pronouns are kiss my a**.” The underlying aim of this trend is to trivialize the use of “they/them” pronouns by queer individuals, in addition to the traditional “he” and “she.”
Even high-profile personalities, such as LSU gymnast Olivia Dunne, participated in this trend, standing alongside U.S. soldiers and lip-syncing to the original video’s audio.
Rising tensions: Counter protests and criticisms
As the conservative sentiment against LGBTQ+ stances grows, instances of counter-protests have also increased. In June 2023, a group of students from Burlington’s Marshall Simonds Middle School in Massachusetts held a counter-protest against Pride Month celebrations, tearing down rainbow-themed decorations and declaring their pronouns as USA.
Nancy Bonassera, co-chair of the Burlington Equity Coalition, vehemently condemned this act, stating that such displays of intolerance and homophobia impact the entire community and calling upon the school administration to address this issue.
Bud light collaboration fuels anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment
The rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment reportedly started in April when Bud Light collaborated with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Since then, staunch conservatives have been protesting against queer ideologies, particularly the concept of gender identity and trans existence.
As social media platforms continue to shape public discourse, the controversy surrounding the ‘My Pronouns are USA’ trend reflects the ongoing struggle for recognition and respect for diverse gender identities. Amidst increasing polarization, it remains crucial to foster conversations that promote understanding and acceptance, rather than further widening societal divides.
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