The 2017 AP Stylebook, print edition to be published May 31, has okayed "they" as a singular pronoun. Paula Froke, editor, announced the change at the recent American Copy Editors Society meeting, and said the change recognizes that “spoken language uses they as singular” and it’s often  used as a pronoun by and for people who identify as other than he or she.

The new entry begins:

“They, them, their: In most cases, a plural pronoun should agree in number with the antecedent: The children love the books their uncle gave them. They/them/their is acceptable in limited cases as a singular and-or gender-neutral pronoun, when alternative wording is overly awkward or clumsy. However, rewording usually is possible and always is preferable. Clarity is a top priority; gender-neutral use of a singular they is unfamiliar to many readers.“

Previously, the entry said,

“Their is a plural possessive pronoun and must agree in number with the antecedent. Wrong: Everyone raised their hands. Right: They raised their hands. See ‘every one, everyone’ for the pronoun that takes singular verbs and pronouns.”

Froke said writers need to make clear the new “they” refers to only one person. Colleen Newvine, product manager, said the singular “they” isn’t required, but is allowed.

Included among other 2017 updates:

• LGBTQ for people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer, but the term queer can be a slur in many contexts, according to the editors, “so limit its use … to quotes and names of organizations." • Gender and sex, gender defined as denoting a person’s social identity, sex defined as denoting a person’s biological characteristics. • Homophobia, homophobic, explained as “acceptable in broad references or in quotations to the concept of fear or hatred of gays, lesbians and bisexuals."

Included among rewritten stylebook are:

• courtesy titles • cyberattacks • fact check/fake news • flyer